Service area · Philadelphia County, PA
Basement waterproofing in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is a city of rowhouses: tens of thousands of attached homes, most built before 1940, with shallow basements under shared party walls. Old stone and brick foundations, aging sewer laterals and intense summer storms make basement water one of the most common homeowner problems in the city.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.
- Neighborhoods
- Fishtown, South Philadelphia, Germantown, Mount Airy
Philadelphia: call now
(833) 460-4463By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.
What kind of homes and basements does Philadelphia have?
South Philadelphia, Fishtown and Kensington are dense with brick rowhouses on brick or rubble-stone foundations. Germantown, Mount Airy and Roxborough have larger stone twins and singles on the Wissahickon schist hills. Many basements have a floor drain tied into an old clay sewer lateral.
What causes basement and foundation problems in Philadelphia?
Shared party walls
Water from a neighbor's yard, gutter or failing lateral can travel along the shared wall into your basement. Fixes work best when the source is traced first, and sometimes when neighbors coordinate.
Sewer backup through floor drains
During cloudbursts the combined sewer can push water back up through basement floor drains. A backwater valve installed by a licensed plumber is the standard protection.
Rubble-stone and brick foundations
Old lime mortar washes out, letting in water and fine soil. Repointing with a compatible mortar and an interior drain along the wall are typical.
Hillside homes in the Northwest
In Roxborough and Mount Airy, homes built into slopes take groundwater at the uphill wall after long rains.
Which basement services do Philadelphia homeowners need most?
- Sandstone & Stone Foundation Repair in Philadelphia
- Interior Drainage Systems in Philadelphia
- Basement Moisture Control in Philadelphia
- Sump Pump Installation & Repair
- Leaking Wall Crack Repair
Also available in Philadelphia: sump pump service, leaking crack repair, and every service on our full list of 19 basement services.
Who serves Philadelphia, and how does a call work?
- Neighborhoods
- Fishtown, South Philadelphia, Germantown, Mount Airy, Kensington, Roxborough
- County / state
- Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What do Philadelphia homeowners ask most?
Who fixes a sewer backup into my Philadelphia basement?
The lateral from the house to the street main is generally the property owner's responsibility. A licensed plumber can camera-inspect it and install a backwater valve; the city has run programs to help with backup protection.
Does a Philadelphia contractor need a license?
Contractors working in Philadelphia need a city contractor license, and Pennsylvania also requires home improvement contractors to register with the Attorney General.
Can I waterproof my side of a shared rowhouse wall?
Yes. Interior drainage and wall membranes on your side handle water regardless of where it starts, though finding the source can avoid repeated problems.
Where can I verify this information about Philadelphia, PA?
- 1USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Web Soil SurveyLook up soil drainage class and shrink-swell potential for any lot in Philadelphia, PA.
- 2FEMA: Flood Map Service CenterCheck whether a property in Philadelphia, PA is in a mapped flood zone before finishing a basement.
- 3U.S. Census Bureau: QuickFactsHousing and population facts for Philadelphia, PA, including the age of local housing stock.
- 4U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: RadonWhy basements in Philadelphia, PA should be tested for radon, and how sealed sumps fit with mitigation.
- 5Federal Trade Commission: Hiring a ContractorWhat to check before hiring: licensing, insurance, written estimates and payment terms.
What should Philadelphia homeowners read before calling?
Which areas near Philadelphia are covered?
Need a waterproofing contractor in Philadelphia?
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.