Basement Waterproofing
Basements are notorious for leaking, but they don’t have to. Dry Otter Waterproofing has been locally owned and operated since 2013.
We have excellent Google reviews and maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We have the knowledge and expertise for basement waterproofing so you can use your basement to its full potential.
Why is my basement leaking?
Basements in the Charlotte area have water issues that are caused by multiple factors. When a builder digs up the soil to put in a basement, they must dig out a section larger than the finished product.
Once the basement is complete, they take the loose soil surrounding the foundation and backfill it against the foundation walls to close the gap.
Water will find its way to all this loose soil when it rains. Over time, hydrostatic pressure builds and pushes in on your basement walls. Eventually, water will seep in, usually where the wall and footers meet.
Water can also seep through concrete blocks, leaving behind a white powder residue. This is called Efflorescence.
How do you know if your basement needs waterproofing?
These signs indicate basement waterproofing is required:
- Water on your Basement Floor
- Efflorescence
- Signs of Mold and Mildew
- Musty Smell
- Wet Drywall
- Visible Condensation
- Bowing Walls
- Damp Basement
Why is water in my basement a problem?
Ongoing water damage, including issues like standing water, water leaks, condensation, and more, can often escape notice, particularly if you don’t frequently visit your basement or if there’s a section that doesn’t receive regular attention.
It’s crucial to address prolonged water problems in your basement sooner rather than later, as they can lead to detrimental long-term consequences. In fact, the well-being of both your family and your home hinges on quick action.
Heavy rains in the Charlotte area can aggravate your wet basement issues and make the situation much worse. This could result in additional repair costs in the future. Do not wait and schedule an inspection today to evaluate the damage.
Causes of a Wet Basement
Underground Location
Basements are primarily below ground and tend to be cooler than the rest of the house. Due to this temperature difference, cool air in the basement cannot hold as much moisture as the warmer air in other rooms. When air from upper levels mixes with basement air, it can condense on basement walls, including uninsulated pipes running through it.
Moisture Rising from the Soil
Without proper waterproofing, moisture can gradually rise from the soil below and penetrate the foundation, reaching the basement floor and walls. This is more likely to occur if your home is constructed with porous concrete blocks or bricks.
Broken Pipes and Wall Cracks
Leaky pipes and cracks in the foundation wall serve as pathways for moisture and water infiltration. French drains, rain gutters, and sewer overflows are other potential sources of dampness, often bringing water into contact with basement walls and floors.
Basement Laundry
If you use your basement for laundry and operate a dryer, it can release a significant amount of moisture from the clothes into the basement air. Over time, this moisture can condense, leading to dampness on the walls.
Windows and Window Wells
Basement or egress windows and their associated wells can deteriorate over time, succumbing to external factors like rainfall and hydrostatic pressure. Water from old or damaged windows and clogged window wells can easily seep into the basement, causing leaks and dampness.
How does Dry Otter Waterproof a basement?
Dry Otter installs an engineered floor drain around the interior perimeter of the crawlspace which diverts any water that comes into a sump pump, so that the water can be pumped out of the basement.
A 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 in the basement, and the water it collects is directed to the sump pump for easy removal.
How long does the waterproofing process take?
There are multiple ways water can infiltrate your home and our initial inspection will help us give you a more specific timeframe. We typically expect our basement waterproofing services to be completed within 3 to 5 days.
How long does basement waterproofing last?
What are the benefits of waterproofing your basement?
Our engineered drain systems work with our wall systems to direct any water that comes in toward the sump pump and out away from the house, giving you peace of mind during storms or when you’re away from home.
If you’re ready to enjoy a fully functional basement space, contact us for a free Dry Otter Basement inspection today!
What Our Customers Are Saying
EXCELLENT Based on 312 reviews Meggan Mason2025-05-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. William, Josh, Luis were out to encapsulate our crawlspace and did an amazing job. They were professional, timely and knowledgeable. Would recommend them and Dry Otter-Denver NC for your crawlspace needs. Sherry L Pendergrass2025-05-07Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great service and prices. William Josh and Louis did an Outstanding job. I would definitely recommend using them for your basement needs. Tracy Morris2025-05-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Everyone employed with Dry Otter has been wonderful to work with. Heather was always so sweet over the phone. If she needed to call me right back, she did. Marcus came out when he said he would and he was very kind and so informative. He was patient and willing to take the time to answer all our questions. The crew that came out and completed the job were all kind and did a great job. They are hard working young men. The crew cleaned our basement up before they left and it looks great. Kiddos to the entire staff! ALNELLO2025-05-01Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. In today's business environment it's so rare to find a reputable company that stands behind their installations. Dry Otter is the real deal! I had a problem with a crawlspace dehumidifier they installed years ago. Dry Otter sent a tech out the same day, diagnosed the problem and ordered the new part . Three days later they came back and installed a new control board, covered under warranty. Their tech Daniel Soto even called the following day to make sure everything was working to my satisfaction. Mike Enloe2025-04-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very pleased with Curtis, Adam, Devon , and the install crew ( William, Josh , and Luis) of Dry Ottter ! Everything was on the up n up . Answered all questions clearly . Highly recommend this company and install crew for all water issues in unwanted areas of your basement. Erika Moss2025-04-15Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The people who work there are very nice Vishrut Konijeti2025-04-05Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Team Dry Otter were fast in their communication and changing out the dehumidifier. Good Experience group, William, Josh and Luis completed and provided all the paperwork too. Would recommend. George Barr2025-03-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great job. Installation team is easy to work with. Ronald Paulding2025-03-27Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The crew arrived on time and went right to work. The crew lead explained what they would do, and had no problem answering questions during the process. They left the work area very clean. Very pleased. Luis Castellanos2025-03-26Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good communication with the sales team and excellent service from the on-site team. Especially appreciated the on-site lead answering in great amount of detail all the questions we had. Thanks!
Lifetime Warranty
10+ Years Industry Experience
300+ 5 Star Reviews
Schedule Your Free Inspection
Our process includes the following inspections:
Crawl Space Inspection:
- Moisture and Water Damage
- Mold and Fungus
- Insulation Condition
- Vapor Barrier
- Structural Issues
- High Humidity
- Condensation on Ducts
Basement Inspection:
- Water Intrusion
- Cracks and Wall Leaks
- Foundation Integrity
- Sump Pump Operation
- Mold and Mildew
- Basement Floor Cracks
- Hydrostatic Pressure
Our expert will personally visit your home and examine the issues you are having with your basement or crawl space foundation.
Our Service Area
Financing Available
We offer various financing options to make our services affordable to all homeowners.
Ask us about our payment plans today!