We excavate only where necessary and restore landscaping as part of the scope.
Exterior work only pays off if the membrane, footing drain, and grading are all addressed together — fixing one without the others often leaves the underlying pressure problem unresolved. We scope the full picture before recommending excavation.
Exterior work involves excavation near the foundation, and every crew member is trained and insured for that specific scope.
Weather-dependent scheduling means we plan exterior jobs around Des Plaines, IL's rainy season windows when possible.
Landscaping restoration is included in the scope, not billed as a separate surprise line item.
Membrane seams are overlapped and sealed to manufacturer spec so the barrier performs as designed for decades, not just years.
We scope every Exterior Waterproofing job in person before quoting it, since two properties with the same symptom rarely need the same fix.
We excavate to the footing, apply a dimpled waterproof membrane directly to the foundation wall, and backfill with proper drainage material.
A perforated footing drain collects groundwater at the base of the foundation and routes it away before it can build pressure against the wall.
We regrade the perimeter to direct surface water away from the wall, typically paired with downspout extensions.
Window wells collecting water get excavated, fitted with a gravel bed, and tied into the exterior drain system so they stop acting as a funnel toward the foundation.
Downspouts discharging within a few feet of the foundation send roof water directly toward the problem — we extend them well clear of the wall.
We ask about grading, downspout placement, and where interior water is showing up to narrow down the likely exterior cause.
A technician walks the exterior perimeter, checks grading slope, and identifies where excavation would be needed for a membrane or footing drain fix.
We explain what's included in landscaping restoration so there's no confusion after backfill.
Excavation, membrane installation, and backfill for a typical residential wall section usually take a few days depending on access and weather.
"Interior fixes hadn't worked for us — turned out the real problem was grading pushing water straight at the foundation. Exterior correction solved it."
— Des Plaines Homeowner
"They found our downspouts were dumping water two feet from the foundation. Extended them and regraded, and that alone made a noticeable difference."
— Des Plaines Customer
"Window well kept flooding every storm. They excavated, added drainage, and resealed the window frame while they were at it."
— Des Plaines Homeowner
"Fast turnaround given how much digging was involved."
— Des Plaines Customer
We'll recommend the right approach based on what the inspection actually finds.
We discuss landscaping impact during the estimate so there are no surprises.
We measure your specific foundation during the on-site inspection rather than assuming a standard depth.
We'll walk through both options and their trade-offs so you can make an informed choice.
We'll recommend starting there if the inspection suggests surface water is the primary cause.
A typical residential wall section with membrane and footing drain work takes a few days depending on access and weather conditions.
Exterior jobs depend on access and weather — call +1-866-476-1348 and we'll confirm scheduling for your specific Des Plaines property.
Zip codes we serve in Des Plaines, IL: 60018 60016 60017 60019
Call now for a free inspection and a flat-rate quote before anything gets worse.
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