Waterproofing experts

When water leaks through your basement foundation, it can compromise the structural integrity of your walls—potentially requiring a complete foundation rebuild.

So how do you make sure there is no moisture in your basement that can lead to bigger problems than just mold and air quality issues? 

“There are telltale signs that moisture is getting into your foundation,” says Mark Olivieri, who, along with his father Rocco, owns Olivieri & Son Basement Waterproofing. “Watch for cracks in your basement walls, along with signs of mold or white efflorescence. Those are signals of possible water intrusion. With all the rain this spring, many homes have been compromised.”

If you have a damp basement, Olivieri can waterproof to create a tightly sealed water barrier around your foundation walls.

“A lot of companies waterproof from the inside, but that’s not really waterproofing,” Mark says. “That’s just putting a bandage on the problem and diverting the water. But once the water is in, it’s in. The correct way is to solve the problem from the outside and stop the water from coming through in the first place.” 

During the excavation process, the company washes the foundation to highlight any cracks where moisture may be entering and patches and seals those cracks, tars the wall, and inserts a 1-inch insulation foam board to create a water barrier. They also install new drain tile and stone to help reroute any excess water away from the freshly sealed wall.

If your foundation already has been damaged by years of water leaks, Olivieri & Son also specializes in foundation rebuilding. As seen in the photo accompanying this story, they jack up the house and knock out the old concrete blocks, then rebuild the foundation with new cement blocks.

“We can handle all things underground, from waterproofing to foundation straightening and rebuilding to sewer inspections,” Mark says. 

Find out how Olivieri & Son can stop water from invading your home’s foundation by visiting BasementAndWaterproofing.com. To schedule a free estimate, call 440-342-6844.