Exterior Basement Waterproofing
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Contractors
Exterior waterproofing stops water before it ever reaches your basement wall — instead of managing moisture after it’s already inside, Reed’s Home Solutions excavates down to the footing, repairs or installs the drainage that should be carrying water away, and applies a waterproofing membrane directly to the foundation itself. It’s the most thorough basement waterproofing approach available, and it’s the right fit when water is entering through the wall assembly itself rather than just collecting on the floor.
Because exterior waterproofing addresses the whole system — the membrane, the footing drain, and the drainage paths at entryways and window wells — our specialists evaluate all three during your free inspection and recommend only the scope your foundation actually needs.
What's Included in Exterior Waterproofing
Depending on what your foundation assessment finds, your exterior waterproofing project may include one or more of the following.
Foundation Membrane & Site Waterproofing
- Excavation to expose the foundation wall down to the footing
- Application of an exterior waterproofing membrane directly to the wall
- Moisture barrier application to seal porous concrete or block
- Foundation crack sealing and structural reinforcement where cracks are found
- Professional site assessment to grade the scope before work begins
Footing Drain Restoration
- Complete inspection and assessment of the existing footing drain system
- Professional cleaning and debris removal from clogged or silted drain lines
- Repair or replacement of damaged or collapsed drain pipe
- Grading correction so surface water moves away from the foundation
- New perforated drain pipe with filter fabric, integrated with your waterproofing and sump pump system
Entryway Drainage Repairs
- Drainage inspection and assessment at basement entryways and window wells
- Cleaning and restoration of existing entryway drains
- Grading correction to redirect water away from entry points
- Waterproof sealing and barrier installation at vulnerable entry thresholds
- Integration with your broader waterproofing and sump pump system
Why Homeowners Choose Exterior Waterproofing
- Stops water before it enters — treats the foundation from the outside instead of managing water once it's already inside your basement.
- Protects the structure itself — sealing and reinforcing cracks from the exterior helps prevent the moisture cycles that widen them over time.
- Improves grading and drainage site-wide — correcting the slope around your foundation reduces pooling at entryways and window wells too.
- Addresses the source, not just the symptom — a damaged footing drain or failed membrane keeps causing leaks until it's actually repaired.
- Backed by over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing foundation drainage systems throughout the region.
- Warrantied workmanship on footing drain and entryway drainage repairs, so the fix is built to last.
How an Interior Drain Tile System Works
Interior waterproofing isn’t a single product — it’s a complete drainage path from your foundation wall to the outside of your home.
Which Approach Fits Your Basement?
Exterior waterproofing excavates and treats the foundation from the outside — the most thorough fix, best suited to failed membranes, damaged footing drains, or active structural cracking. Interior waterproofing manages water from inside the basement without excavation, often a faster and less disruptive option. Many homes only need a French drain or a properly sized sump pump rather than full exterior work. Our specialists determine the right scope during your free inspection — never more work than your foundation actually needs.
Proven by Results, Recognized for Excellence
Water Reaching Your Basement Wall From Outside?
Free, no-obligation exterior waterproofing inspections across Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia & West Virginia — plus flexible financing to help make the fix more manageable.
Exterior Waterproofing FAQs
How is exterior waterproofing different from just sealing the inside of my basement?
Sealing paint or an interior coating only treats the surface you can see — it doesn’t stop water from pushing through the wall assembly, and moisture trapped behind an interior seal can cause worse damage over time. Exterior waterproofing excavates down to the footing and treats the wall from the side the water is actually coming from.
Do I need a full excavation, or just footing drain repair?
Not always. If your foundation membrane is intact and the problem is a clogged or damaged footing drain, we can often restore the drain without excavating the entire wall. We determine the actual scope during your free inspection rather than assuming you need the most extensive repair.
What causes a footing drain to fail?
Footing drains typically fail from sediment buildup inside the pipe, root intrusion, pipe collapse from age or soil pressure, or improper grading that sends surface water toward the foundation instead of away from it. We inspect and identify the actual cause before recommending a repair.
Why is water leaking near my basement entryway or window well?
Entryways and window wells are common weak points because they interrupt the foundation’s drainage path — water that would otherwise flow past the wall pools at the threshold instead. Entryway drainage repairs correct the grading and sealing at those specific points.
Is exterior waterproofing covered by a warranty?
Yes — our footing drain restoration and entryway drainage repairs are backed by a warranty on workmanship. We’ll walk you through the specific coverage for your project during your free inspection.
How long does exterior waterproofing take?
Timelines depend on the scope — a footing drain or entryway repair is typically completed faster than a full-perimeter membrane and excavation project. We’ll give you a project-specific timeline after your inspection, before any work begins.
Will exterior waterproofing disturb my landscaping?
Excavation along the foundation does affect the ground immediately next to your home, but the scope is limited to what the project actually requires, and we work with you on restoring the area once the waterproofing and drainage work is complete.
What signs point to exterior rather than interior work?
Visible cracking or bowing along the exterior foundation wall, a footing drain that’s clearly clogged or collapsed, or water pooling directly against the foundation from grading issues all point toward exterior waterproofing. Water seeping only along the interior wall-floor joint, with no visible exterior damage, often points toward interior waterproofing instead.
Can exterior waterproofing be done in the winter?
Excavation work is weather-dependent, and frozen or saturated ground can affect scheduling. We assess site conditions on a project-by-project basis and will give you a realistic timeline during your free inspection rather than promising a date that weather can’t support.
Areas We Serve
Out exterior basement waterproofing contractors operate throughout Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and surrounding areas. See below for additional communities we serve for basement waterproofing.