Everything You Need to Know About Basement Waterproofing Warranties

Nobody wants their keepsakes and carpets ruined by a leaky basement. Waterproofing your basement is a crucial step to prevent water damage and mold, but it’s also an investment. Though the average homeowner will spend just under $5,000, the cost of basement waterproofing could exceed $20,000 once you dive into foundation repairs and the addition of drains, gutters, and sump pumps. 

Luckily, basement waterproofing usually comes with a warranty—though not all warranties are equal. Some only cover basic costs, while others have no monetary limit. Before you hire a basement waterproofing contractor, it’s essential to understand what their warranty actually protects. Here’s what you need to know.

Things to Consider With a Basement Waterproofing Warranty

Basement waterproofing is a catch-all term for a number of different exterior and interior techniques that prevent water from seeping into your basement. This could involve everything from sealing your basement walls to installing a French drain or sump pump. Whatever the method, it’s important to look at the warranty. Here are some things to consider:

• Always read the fine print; warranties aren’t the same thing as guarantees

• Not all basement waterproofing warranties are lifetime warranties

• Warranties don’t always mean you’ll get a refund. Instead, the waterproofing company may try to fix the problem.

• Waterproofing warranties may only cover a portion of the repair

• Most warranties require maintenance or annual service agreements 

• Waterproofing warranties are only as good as the company that stands behind them

4 Types of Waterproofing Warranties

There are four types of basement waterproofing warranties, and they all come with different terms of coverage. It’s important to read the fine print so you don’t accidentally void your warranty.

Lifetime Warranty

A lifetime warranty covers a material or service for as long as a homeowner owns their home. Years in business is a good indicator that your lifetime warranty has some substance. Ask your contractor to provide you references of clients that have had their system for over five and 10 years, systems that have weathered many different seasons. A good example would be if you get a crack fixed in a leaky basement. If that crack starts leaking again through no fault of your own, it should be covered by the warranty. Unfortunately, this warranty can’t be transferred to new homeowners. As soon as you sell your home, it’s void.

Transferable Warranty

A transferable warranty stays with the house, not the homeowner. In other words, if you install a new drainage system before selling your home, the next homeowner can use your warranty to fix faulty parts. Most often, you’ll see this in terms of a transferable lifetime warranty, which covers the material or service for the lifetime of the home. 

Limited Warranty

Limited warranties offer protection for a fixed period of time. Usually, it’s anywhere from five to thirty years—but terms widely vary. Read the fine print. Usually, you’ll see a limited warranty on exterior repairs because they’re subject to unpredictable environmental factors.

Manufacturer's Warranty

This warranty is not tied to your contractor. It comes from the manufacturer of your waterproofing materials. As such, it only applies to broken and faulty parts, not the installation. Again, read the fine print. The terms vary, and a manufacturer’s warranty may be void if a licensed basement waterproofing expert doesn’t install the product.

What Does a Warranty Include?

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Waterproofing warranties never cover the cost of water damage, so it’s important to get flood insurance. What do waterproofing warranties cover? Anything from material costs to partial labor costs to the whole shebang (as long as you didn’t cause the problem that needs fixing). Here are the common warranty terms:

Materials Only

Materials only terms usually come from the manufacturer. This type of contract:

• Covers the cost of defective waterproofing materials (for example, a faulty sump pump)

• Does not cover labor costs or water damage

Labor and Materials

Labor and materials terms help protect homeowners if a contractor botches a job or they have a faulty waterproofing system. This type of contract:

• Covers the cost of defective waterproofing materials

• Covers the cost of labor to install or repair materials

• Does not cover additional labor (like removing or replacing flooring around the waterproofing material)

• Does not cover water damage

Labor and Materials with Overburden

A labor and materials warranty with an overburden clause is more comprehensive than a traditional labor and materials warranty. It helps homeowners recover the full cost of a waterproofing repair, including things like reinstalling your floor after replacing the waterproofing membrane. This type of warranty will:

• Cover the cost of defective waterproofing materials

• Cover the cost of labor to remove and install waterproofing materials

• Cover the cost of additional work required to fix defective waterproofing (like opening up floors and walls or trenching)

NDL (No Dollar Limit) Warranty

Most warranties have a maximum claim amount, which could leave the homeowner vulnerable to unexpected expenses. For example, your basement waterproofing warranty may cover up to $5,000, but the cost to replace your drainage system could be $7,100. That leaves you on the hook for $2,100. A “no dollar limit” warranty pays for the whole job, no matter the cost.

Questions to Ask Your Basement Waterproofing Contractor

While there are several overarching questions to ask your basement waterproofing contractor before you hire them, you should specifically ask about your warranty. These questions will help you understand and assess the value and terms of your warranty. 

Does this job come with a warranty?

Manufacturer warranties are common, but most basement waterproofing contractors don’t automatically offer a warranty for their work. Instead, it comes at an additional cost. If you want a warranty, ask your contractor ahead of the job.

How do I maintain my warranty?

All warranties have specific terms, and most require some sort of maintenance. Typically, you’ll see an annual service agreement in your contract. In this case, your warranty will be void unless you have your waterproofing system checked and serviced every year.

How long have you been in business?

A basement waterproofing company’s lifetime guarantee doesn’t mean much if they don’t have a strong track record. Your warranty ends when their business goes bust.

Has the company ever changed their name? 

If so, why? You can check your state tax assessment website to confirm years in business and if the company has ever changed their name. Some waterproofing companies will stop lifetime warranties by changing their name.

What does this warranty cover?

It’s important to read the fine print. Warranties are tricky, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask.