Questions & answers
Basement waterproofing questions, answered
Straight answers about basement waterproofing, sump pumps, prices and timing from Ground Gutter Guys in Syracuse. (And no, we don't do roof gutters.)
The ground gutter
Do you clean or install roof gutters?
No. We're a basement waterproofing company. “Ground gutter” is our name for an interior drainage system: a gutter for your basement, not your roof.
What is a ground gutter?
It's an interior drainage system: a footer, wall and floor-joint drain inside your basement. It catches water coming up from the ground or in through the walls before it reaches your floor.
Is a ground gutter the same as a French drain?
Pretty much. It's an interior drainage system, the kind many people call an interior French drain or drain tile. Those names get used loosely, so we'll show you exactly where ours goes: along the footer inside your basement, carrying water to a sump pump that pumps it outside.
Does every basement need a drain all the way around?
No. Some basements only need a drain along one or two walls; others need it all the way around. At the free inspection we'll show you where the water is getting in and price what your basement actually needs.
Interior drain or exterior waterproofing: which is better?
They work differently. Exterior waterproofing means digging up the soil around the outside of your foundation. An interior drain catches the water inside, at the footer, without tearing up your yard, driveway or landscaping. Interior drainage is what we install.
Will a drain fix a bowed or shifting wall?
No. A drain handles water. A wall that's bowing, has long horizontal cracks or is still moving needs a structural repair, which is a different job. If we see signs of that at your inspection, we'll tell you.
Can you put a drain in an older stone foundation?
Older fieldstone and rubble foundations are common around Syracuse, and they need a closer look before any digging, because they often don't sit on the same kind of footing as a newer block or poured wall. We'll look at yours at the free inspection and tell you what makes sense.
Why basements leak
Why does my basement leak after rain or snowmelt?
Around Syracuse, heavy clay soil holds water against your foundation, and snowmelt in March and April can soak the ground faster than it drains. That water pushes in through cracks and through the seam where the wall meets the floor. Roof runoff, ground that slopes toward the house and window wells that fill up can add to it.
Why is water coming in where the wall meets the floor?
That seam, sometimes called the cove joint, is one of the most common places water gets in, especially when the ground under and around your basement is soaked. Sealing the seam from the inside doesn't stop the water behind it. Catching it at the footer does, and that's what the ground gutter is for.
What is the white powder on my basement walls?
It's usually efflorescence: minerals left behind when water moves through concrete or block and dries. It's one of the earliest signs that moisture is getting in. Brushing it off cleans the wall but doesn't stop the water, so if it keeps coming back, it's worth a look.
Is it a leak or just condensation?
Condensation forms when humid air hits a cool wall or pipe, usually in summer. A leak is water coming in from outside, usually after rain or snowmelt. One easy check: tape a square of plastic wrap to the wall for a day or two. Moisture on the room side means condensation; moisture behind it means water is coming through the wall.
Why does my basement smell musty?
A musty smell almost always means moisture, even if you never see standing water. It can come from water moving through the walls or floor, or from humid air. Keeping basement humidity below 60% helps, but if water is getting in, that needs to be stopped first.
Will Drylok or waterproof paint fix a wet basement?
It helps with damp walls and gives a cleaner look, and we apply Drylok on walls and floors. But paint won't hold back water that's being pushed in from outside; that water finds a way around it. If water is actually coming in, the fix is to catch it with a drain and pump it out.
Do gutters and downspouts affect basement water?
Yes. Roof water dumped next to your foundation soaks right into the soil your basement sits in. Make sure downspouts carry water well away from the house and the ground slopes away from it. (Despite our name, we don't work on roof gutters.)
What it costs
How much does basement waterproofing cost?
Most interior drainage jobs fall between $1,950 and $7,500 for a typical basement, around 100 linear feet. That works out to about $20–$75 per linear foot. Every basement is different, so your exact price comes after a free inspection.
What affects the price?
Mostly how many feet of drain your basement needs, whether it needs a new sump pump, how easy it is to get to the walls, and where the water will be pumped out. We look at all of that at the free inspection, so your price is based on your basement, not a guess.
How much does a sump pump cost?
A sump pump typically runs $500 to $1,800, from replacing an old pump to a brand-new system. That's a typical range, not a quote. Your price comes after a free inspection.
Is the inspection really free?
Yes. It's a free inspection and estimate: we'll come look at your basement and give you a price at no charge.
How can I pay?
Cash, check, Venmo or Zelle.
Sump pumps
Do I need both a drain and a sump pump?
They do different jobs. The drain collects water along the footer; the sump pump lifts it out of the basement and sends it outside. A pump sitting in a pit on its own only catches the water that happens to reach that pit.
Is it normal to see water in the sump pit?
Yes. The pump turns on and off at set water levels, so some water in the pit is normal. It's worth a call if the water keeps rising, the pump isn't kicking on, or it runs but nothing comes out the discharge pipe. Never reach into a pit while the pump is plugged in.
Should I turn off my sump pump in the winter?
No. Groundwater still comes in during the winter, and a January thaw or spring snowmelt in Central New York can send a lot of water at once. Keep the pump on and make sure the outside discharge pipe isn't blocked by snow or ice.
Why does my sump pump run all the time?
It can be a lot of water coming in, discharge water running back toward the house, a bad check valve or a stuck float. If it's suddenly running much more than usual, or running without water leaving the pipe, call or text us.
Do I need a battery backup sump pump?
It's worth considering if a power outage or a failed pump would put your basement at risk. A battery backup can keep pumping during an outage for a while; how long depends on the battery and how much water is coming in. We can talk through whether it makes sense at your free inspection.
Where should the sump pump water go?
Away from your house, onto ground that drains away from the foundation. If it's dumped right next to the house, it soaks back in and the pump ends up moving the same water over and over.
The job
How long does an install take?
Most interior drainage installs take 1–2 days. Glass block windows typically take one day.
Do you have to break up the basement floor?
Yes, along the walls where the drain goes. We open a trench in the floor at the footer, lay the drain, and patch the floor with fresh concrete when we're done.
Can you do it in a finished basement?
It depends on what's along the walls. Flooring, wall finishes or stored things where the drain goes need to come out of the way. We'll go over exactly what at your inspection.
Is it messy?
Cutting concrete makes noise and dust while we work, but we leave the job site clean. One Google reviewer said that's “hard to find in a profession that usually makes quite a mess.”
Is there a warranty?
Yes. Our drainage systems come with a lifetime warranty. We'll go over it with you at your inspection.
Will waterproofing stop mold?
Stopping the water is the first step, because mold needs moisture. But a drain won't remove mold that's already there, and no one can honestly promise it will never come back. Drying out wet materials quickly and keeping humidity under 60% both help.
Services, area & contact
Do you repair basement cracks?
Yes. Repairing cracks in foundation walls and basement floors is one of our main services.
Do you install glass block basement windows?
Yes. We swap old basement windows for glass block, typically $300–$600 per window, and a typical install takes one day. Vent windows are available. See our glass block windows page.
Do you do other basement work?
Yes: water removal, general basement cleanup, demolition, painting, Drylok on walls and floors, foundation repointing and basement stairs. See our basement services page.
What areas do you serve?
Syracuse and about 35 miles around, including Liverpool, Baldwinsville, Cicero, Camillus, Manlius, Fayetteville, Skaneateles, Fulton, Oswego, Oneida, Auburn and Cortland. See the full list on our service area page.
Can I text you instead of calling?
Yes. Calls and texts are both welcome at (315) 677-1551.
What are your hours?
Monday to Friday 7 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM.
Water in your basement?
Start with a free inspection.
We'll look at your basement, find where the water is getting in, and give you a straight price. Calls and texts are both welcome.
- Monday–Friday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Sunday11:00 AM – 3:00 PM