How to Waterproof Your Foundation: 9 Ways to Keep Water Out

Designing a dream kitchen gets all the glory, but knowing how to waterproof a foundation might save your abode. It’s not glamorous. It’s not pretty. But it’s a structural must-do that can protect you from major headaches like cracks, leaks, mold, flooding, and even foundation failure. Here are tips for how to keep moisture out so your home stands strong for years to come.

1. Inspect Your Foundation for Damage

Before you do anything, homeowners should look at their home’s foundation, which is a common cause of basement flooding.

Check for hairline cracks, crumbling concrete, damp spots, mold, or efflorescence—a white, chalky residue left by evaporating water. Also, look for moist walls in your basement or crawl space and notice if there is a telltale mildew odor. All of these are warning signs that moisture is finding its way inside.

While a DIY inspection is a good first step, it is money well spent to hire a basement waterproofing specialist at this stage. Professionals know how to spot hidden problems homeowners might miss, like hairline cracks behind walls, weak spots near footings, or signs of hydrostatic pressure building up around your foundation. They can also use tools like moisture meters, thermal imaging, and structural assessments to get a more accurate picture of what's happening. Foundation repairs cost an average of $5,165.

2. Waterproof the Foundation’s Surface

Foundation waterproofing products work best when applied to clean, dry surfaces. You or a professional must remove dirt, old paint, mildew, and debris from the foundation walls using a stiff brush, pressure washer, or a chemical cleaner designed specifically for your home’s exterior material. 

Your biggest takeaway: Thorough preparation ensures the waterproofing materials bond properly and deliver long-lasting protection.

Always let the foundation dry completely after cleaning before applying any waterproofing products. A little extra effort here can mean the difference between a waterproof barrier that lasts decades and one that fails after a few seasons.

3. Install an Exterior Drainage System

If water pools around your foundation, additional steps besides waterproofing are needed. Installing a French drain system, which provides subsurface drainage to direct water away from your home, will help channel groundwater before it can seep into your foundation. The cost to install a French drain system ranges widely from $500 to $18,000, depending on the project's extent and the labor cost in your area.

Without a drainage system, water can accumulate around your foundation every time it rains, creating constant pressure that weakens walls, opens up cracks, and eventually leaks inside your home. A well-designed drainage system prevents this buildup and protects your waterproofing work from becoming overwhelmed.

4. Create a Positive Slope

Another solution to avoid pooling water is to create a positive slope. Think of your foundation like the peak of a hill. Water should always flow away from it, not settle around it. Using soil to create a downward slope away from your home is one way to make that happen. If the soil closest to your house is higher than the soil a few feet out, rainwater and runoff will naturally drain away instead of pooling against your walls. 

5. Grade Your Yard

If steep slopes in your yard drive water toward your foundation, you may need to level the landscape to redirect the flow. Grading involves reshaping the ground to slope away from your home instead of funneling water straight toward it. It is a very impactful foundation waterproofing technique.

This process may require land clearing, removing trees, shrubs, rocks, or other obstacles that interfere with creating a level yard. It’s a bigger project than simply adding a few bags of soil, but grading can make a huge difference in keeping your foundation dry and preventing long-term damage. Homeowners can expect their costs to level a yard to average around $2,175.

6. Waterproof the Basement Walls From the Inside

Interior waterproofing can provide valuable extra protection. Homeowners can expect their basement waterproofing costs to average around $5,200, though some simple repairs can cost as little as $600.

The process involves applying waterproof sealants to the interior basement walls, installing vapor barriers, and using a dehumidifier to help control humidity levels. While this approach will not stop water from reaching the foundation, it can help prevent it from seeping into your living spaces.

7. Maintain Gutters and Downspouts

A surprising number of foundation problems start on the roof. Clogged gutters and misdirected downspouts allow water to overflow and collect around the base of your home. Keep your gutters clean and extend downspouts at least five feet away from the foundation to minimize the risk of water infiltration.

8. Install a Sump Pump System

Installing a sump pump can be a massive game-changer if your basement is prone to flooding or heavy groundwater. Positioned in the lowest part of your basement, a sump pump collects excess water and ejects it safely away from your home. Select a model with a battery backup to ensure protection during power outages.

9. Monitor and Maintain Your Foundation Over Time

Waterproofing isn’t a one-and-done project. Regularly inspect your foundation for new cracks, check that your drainage systems are working correctly, and reseal waterproof coatings every few years as needed. Staying proactive will help you catch issues early and keep your foundation in strong, dry condition for decades.