[ Service ] Basement Waterproofing Est. 2009

Permanent Waterproofing Systems That Stop Water Before It Reaches Your Home

Licensed & Insured Workmanship Warranty Free On-Site Inspections
At a glance
Typical cost $8,000–$20,000+ depending on foundation perimeter, depth, and drainage complexity.
Process steps 4
Warranty Backed in writing
Inspections Free, no obligation

[ 01 ]  The Honest Answer

What you should know about exterior waterproofing

Keep Water Away From Your Foundation

Exterior waterproofing is designed to stop water from ever reaching your foundation walls. By addressing the problem at its source, outside the home, it prevents leaks, seepage, and the long-term hydrostatic pressure, the ongoing force of water pushing against a foundation wall, that weakens foundations over time.

Nashville's high annual rainfall and clay-dense soils create ideal conditions for groundwater buildup around basement walls. When saturated soil pushes against your foundation, water finds any path it can through cracks, joints, and porous concrete. Our exterior waterproofing system eliminates that pressure before it causes damage.

What Exterior Waterproofing Includes

  • Waterproof membrane application: A durable barrier applied directly to the exterior of your foundation wall to block water penetration
  • French drain installation: Perforated pipe placed at the footing to capture groundwater and redirect it away from the structure
  • Grading and backfill restoration: Proper soil composition and slope to channel surface runoff away from the foundation
  • Surface drainage improvements: Correcting downspout discharge and yard grading to reduce water volume reaching the foundation

Our Exterior Waterproofing Process

We begin with a full site inspection to locate foundation cracks, drainage failures, and soil conditions that allow water buildup. Our crew then carefully excavates around the perimeter, exposes the exterior wall for cleaning and preparation, applies the waterproof membrane, installs drainage systems, and restores the site with proper backfill and grading. Most residential installations are completed efficiently with minimal long-term disruption to landscaping.

If you are seeing water entering your basement after heavy rain, experiencing foundation leaks, or dealing with persistent soil saturation around your home, call us at (615) 880-6449 for a free inspection.

$8,000–$20,000+ depending on foundation perimeter, depth, and drainage complexity. Typical cost range for this service, depending on scope and site conditions.
When this isn't the fix: Interior waterproofing may be more practical when exterior excavation is cost-prohibitive, site access is limited, or when managing water intrusion rather than preventing soil contact is the primary goal.

[ 02 ]  How It Works

What to expect, start to finish

Site Inspection and Assessment

We perform a full property inspection to locate foundation cracks, drainage failures, and soil conditions that allow water buildup or pressure against basement walls.

Excavation and Wall Preparation

Our team carefully excavates around your foundation, exposing exterior walls for detailed cleaning, repairs, and preparation to ensure a strong bond for waterproofing materials.

Membrane and Drain Installation

We apply a durable exterior waterproofing membrane and install French or footing drains to capture groundwater, redirect moisture, and protect your foundation from leaks.

Backfill and Surface Grading

Once waterproofing is complete, we backfill with proper soil composition, restore surface grading, and slope landscaping away from your foundation to maintain effective drainage.

Exterior waterproofing is the most comprehensive way to protect a basement because you are stopping water before it ever contacts the wall. Interior systems manage water that gets in, exterior systems prevent it from getting that far.
DV
Derek Veselich
Derek Veselich, Owner, Ground Up Foundation Repair

[ 03 ]  Why Ground Up

The difference is in the diagnosis

Get several quotes and you'll see a wide range of prices. The gap isn't luck. It's whether the contractor finds the actual cause and stands behind the work.

  • In-house certified crews: we never subcontract your repair
  • Optional independent third-party engineer review on larger jobs
  • Honest three-tier triage: we tell you what can wait, in writing
  • Family owned from the same Shelbyville Highway address since 2009
Installing an exterior French drain system with perforated pipe.
[ 04 ]  FAQ

Exterior Waterproofing questions

Exterior waterproofing stops water outside the foundation wall by applying a membrane and drainage system on the perimeter. Interior waterproofing manages water that has already entered the wall assembly by collecting and redirecting it inside. Exterior waterproofing is more comprehensive; interior is less disruptive and more affordable. We recommend the right approach based on your home's specific conditions.

A properly installed exterior waterproofing system with a quality membrane and functional drainage can last 20 to 30 years or more. Longevity depends on the membrane material, backfill quality, and whether surface drainage is maintained to reduce the water volume the system must handle.

The excavation process does require removing soil around the foundation perimeter, which will disturb plantings and surface features in that zone. We restore the backfill and grading after installation. Most homeowners choose to replant after the work is complete. We discuss the impact area during the inspection so there are no surprises.

Permit requirements vary by municipality and project scope. We are familiar with local requirements in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee counties and will advise you on what is needed for your specific project before work begins.

Yes. In some cases it makes sense to waterproof the sections of the foundation where active water intrusion is concentrated rather than the full perimeter. We assess each situation and design the most cost-effective approach that addresses your actual problem areas.

[ 06 ]  Customer Reviews

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Where we work

Headquartered in Murfreesboro,
serving Middle Tennessee

From red-clay Rutherford County soil to Nashville’s high water tables and Cookeville’s karst limestone, we know the ground beneath your home.

Also serving: La Vergne, Hendersonville, Gallatin, Lebanon, Clarksville, Tullahoma, Nolensville, Antioch + 100 more cities →

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