Stopping Water Before It Ever Reaches the Wall
Because most basement water starts outside, the most permanent fix sometimes lives there too. Exterior waterproofing means excavating down to the footing, cleaning and sealing the wall with a waterproof membrane, and installing drainage that carries water away before it can press against the foundation. It’s the bigger project — so we recommend it only when the diagnosis says it’s genuinely the right, lasting answer.
What Proper Exterior Waterproofing Looks Like
Excavate to the footing
We dig along the affected wall down to the footing to expose the foundation — the only way to truly seal and drain it from outside.
Seal the wall
The wall is cleaned, repaired where needed, and sealed with a waterproof membrane so water can’t penetrate the foundation.
Drain it away
Drainage stone and a perforated footing drain tile collect water at the base and carry it off to daylight or a sump — relieving pressure for good.
When Exterior Waterproofing Is the Right Call
When it’s the right fix
Porous or failing walls, persistent leaks an interior system can’t address at the source, exterior cracks, or a foundation that needs to be sealed and drained from outside to stay dry. When the wall itself is the path, this is the permanent fix.
When it’s the wrong fix
A surface-water problem a regrade and downspout extensions would solve, or a minor issue that doesn’t justify excavation. We don’t dig up a yard to fix a problem a smaller repair solves permanently.
What a Proper Behncke Exterior Waterproofing Job Includes
Exterior work is only worth doing if every layer is done correctly — this is what separates a permanent fix from a buried problem.
Why It Matters on Quad Cities Foundations
Quad Cities clay holds water against the wall and the high river-valley water table keeps pressure on the foundation. For some homes — especially older block and stone walls — sealing and draining from the outside is the only way to keep the basement permanently dry. We’ll tell you honestly whether yours is one of them.
Real Quad Cities Excavation & Membrane Jobs
Excavation, membrane, and footing-drain photos from recent exterior waterproofing jobs are added here through the Photo Manager as projects are documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interior or exterior — which do I need?
It depends on where the water enters and how the wall is built. Interior drain tile manages water from inside; exterior waterproofing stops it at the wall. We diagnose first and recommend whichever permanently solves your home’s problem.
Do you have to dig up my whole foundation?
No — we excavate only the affected wall or section the diagnosis calls for, not the entire house. The scope is matched to the actual problem.
What happens to my landscaping?
Excavation disturbs the work area, and we restore it as part of the job. We’ll walk you through exactly what’s affected before we start.
How long does exterior waterproofing last?
Done correctly — wall sealed, drainage in place, graded away — it’s a permanent fix, because it stops water before it ever reaches the foundation.
Is it worth the higher cost?
When it’s the right repair, yes — it solves the problem once. When a smaller fix would work just as permanently, we’ll tell you and save you the money.
Let’s Find the Source First.
We’ll diagnose where the water is really coming from and recommend the repair that solves it — in writing, usually within one business day. No pressure, no commissioned salespeople.
Recent projects from our crews
Real exterior excavation and foundation crack work from our crews.
