Basement waterproofing in Waterloo, Iowa

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your town and where you see water, stains or dampness.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent waterproofing company that serves the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area.

3. They call you back

   They inspect the basement and give you a written quote directly.

Who uses this site?

Homeowners, landlords and buyers in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Evansdale, Hudson and the small towns around them. Waterloo is the Black Hawk County seat and had 67,314 residents at the 2020 census, and Cedar Falls, its neighbor upriver, had 40,713. Between them you'll find almost every kind of basement Iowa has built: brick and clay tile under older houses near both downtowns, concrete block under the postwar neighborhoods, and poured walls under the newer subdivisions on the edges of town. Each type lets water in differently, so the fix differs too.

Why do basements in Waterloo and Cedar Falls get wet?

Mostly because of the ground and the river. The Cedar River runs southeast through the metro and splits Waterloo into east and west sides, and the land around it is low and flat. The county's soil survey describes upland soils formed in loess, often over glacial till with a stone line or pebble band between the two, and lower soils on benches and in drainageways that are poorly drained with a high water table. It says plainly that houses built on those poorly drained soils, or on drainageways that were filled in, are likely to have wet basements. A few things follow from that:

• Water rides on the till. Where loess sits on denser till, water that soaks in can collect at the contact and seep sideways, which the survey describes as wet, seepy spots in some years.
• The water table can be close. On lower ground near the river and its creeks, groundwater can rise toward the slab after long wet stretches and push up at the floor joint.
• Plenty of rain and snow. The 1991 to 2020 normals for Waterloo Regional Airport show about 36 inches of precipitation and roughly 39 inches of snow a year, so spring melt and summer storms both test the walls.
• Old drainage habits. Many older homes had footing drains tied into the sanitary sewer. Waterloo has been working to remove those connections, which means more houses now depend on a sump pump.

What are the warning signs?

• A wet line where the wall meets the floor after rain or a fast thaw
• White, powdery efflorescence or rust-brown stains on block or concrete
• A crack that drips, darkens or opens a little more each year
• A sump pump that runs constantly, hums without pumping, or is of unknown age
• Water standing in a window well, or stains below the window
• A musty smell, sweating pipes, or mildew on boxes and the bottom of drywall

Which fix fits my basement?

It depends on where the water enters. Seepage at the floor edge on several walls usually calls for interior drain tile feeding a sump pump. A single leaking crack in a poured wall points to crack repair. If you want the walls themselves kept dry, or you're about to finish the basement, exterior waterproofing is the most complete option. And when the leak only shows up during heavy rain near one corner or a window, the culprit is often outside, which is where window well, downspout and grading work comes in. A good company tells you which problem it's solving and why it picked that method.

What did Waterloo's sewer work change for homeowners?

In 2015, the City of Waterloo agreed to a federal consent decree with the EPA and the State of Iowa over sanitary sewer overflows, including sewage backups into homes and businesses. The agreement requires the city to finish a footing drain removal program it had already begun and to complete its sewer fixes by the end of 2032. Trade press reported that same year that nearly 1,000 homes in the first target area had disconnected their foundation drains from the sanitary sewer and installed sump pumps. If your house was part of that work, or if you aren't sure where your footing drains go, it's worth having the setup checked.

Where should the pump water go?

Outdoors, onto ground that slopes away from the house, and not into a floor drain or laundry tub. A University of Iowa student design project for the city noted that sump water discharged onto streets and neighboring lots in south Waterloo was causing ice and algae problems. So the outdoor end of the line matters as much as the pump: it should drain away from your foundation, your neighbor's yard and the sidewalk. Ask the waterproofing company and the city what's allowed at your address.

What can I check before calling?

Walk around the house during or right after the next hard rain. Look for overflowing gutters, downspouts that dump at the foundation, window wells holding water, and soil, patios or driveways that tip toward the house. The U.S. EPA recommends grading soil away from the foundation and keeping gutters clean. Those fixes are cheap and sometimes solve the problem. If water still comes in after the roof water is carried away, book an inspection.

Buying a house in Black Hawk County?

Look for fresh paint or new drywall at the bottom of the basement walls, a dehumidifier running in July, a sump pit with standing water, patched cracks and water lines on stored items. Ask the sellers whether water has ever come in, whether the footing drains were disconnected from the sewer, and what was done. A waterproofing inspection during your inspection period tells you what you're taking on.

Are you a waterproofing company?

No. Waterloo Basement Waterproofing is a referral service. We connect you with an independent waterproofing company that serves your address, and that company inspects, quotes, performs and warrants the work. Before you hire anyone, read our hiring tips and the Waterloo, Iowa basement water guide.

Areas we cover

• Waterloo
• Cedar Falls
• Evansdale
• Hudson

Planning ahead? Read our Waterloo, Iowa basement water guide.