Basements became a popular feature in the Southeast in the mid-1800s. At that time, they were primarily used for storage and as a cool space during the hot summer months. In the late 1800s, basements began to be used for additional living space, such as kitchens and family rooms.
During the 20th century, the popularity of basements continued to grow in the Southeast. Many homes were built with basements that were used as living space, entertainment areas, and storage.

Basements leak when the property around them has poor drainage, the water builds up around the foundation and the hydrostatic pressure is more than the walls can handle, and therefore they crack and leak.

Water in your basement causes unhealthy mold, and will ruin the furniture and other items stored there.

Over time, if you don’t waterproof your basement, the walls will bow and crack. These are much more costly to repair than to waterproof.

Dry Otter installs an engineered floor drain around the interior perimeter of the crawlspace that diverts any water that comes into a sump pump so the water can be pumped out of the basement. Plastic wall liner is also added to direct any water coming in through the block walls to the drainage system and ultimately to the sump pump and out of the basement. Sometimes a dehumidifier is installed into the basement, and the water it collects is also directed to the sump pump so you don’t have to take it out yourself.

A waterproofed basement with a sump pump and battery back up is an area that can be fully utilized as any other living space and will cause no worry during storms, even when you are away from home.

Not accounting for demolition of drywall, basement waterproofing usually lasts 3-5 days.

Basement waterproofing, when installed correctly, and applied to each wall of the basement, should last the lifetime of the home, provided the sump pump is maintained and functioning properly.