Basement Waterproofing Problem Signs
Cracked, leaking basement walls decrease the comfort, value and safety of your home. Water will have an easier way through these cracks to create moisture problems in your basements, contributing to foundation damage, mold growth and other related issues.
BQ Basements & Concrete

Basement Water Damage
We can help prevent basement water from ruining your home and your belongings.
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Leaky Basement
Damp, humid, or wet are a few signs of leaky basement walls or a flooded basement. Thankfully there's an easy way to return the space to dry, usable conditions.
Cracked, leaking basement walls decrease the comfort, value, and safety of your home. When water finds its way into your basement it can start a series of moisture problems contributing to foundation damage, mold growth, and other related issues. Beyond adding comfort and eliminating dangerous allergens, waterproofing your basement can add value to your property. A home with a wet basement can be much more difficult to sell. In fact, a wet basement is one of the most serious “red flags” that deters buyers. The good news: BQ Basements & Concrete specializes in basement waterproofing solutions and services to help solve your basement problems for good.
Award-Winning Service
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I called BQ thinking it was a long shot that they’d be able to waterproof my 150+ year old basement, but they sent Tyler to give me an on the spot quote the same day I called. The installation crew was on time, professional, and explained all the…
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View review Read Hailey Clicquennoi's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Professional and upfront services
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View review Read Marquita Lawrence's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Nasir T, Mikes L, and Eric T we’re absolutely wonderful! They arrived on time both days, walked through every step of the installation of both the gutter system and sum pump, and brought both my husband and I down several times to inspect and ask…
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View review Read Dana Long's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
The sales rep, Brandon was very informative and helpful. He explained everything in detail and took the time and did not rush us. We have to put this project on hold for now but wouldn’t hesitate to use BQ Basements.
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View review Read Amelia Z's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Great job by Stacy, Frank, and Clark in helping repair our foundation! Courteous, professional, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend after our positive experience.
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View review Read George Lu's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Request Steve Merlini, he was extremely helpful. A friend of mine recommended that I contact Steve regarding a recent leak in my basement. Within one day he made time to come out and educate me on what was happening and how it could be resolved. His…
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View review Read Eric Zebluim's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Sean Bennett rocked (to slight pun intended) be was so polite total pleasure. Be was completely professional,patient and very knowledgeable about the product and service your company provides. Sean thoroughly reviewed the process (and product) and…
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View review Read Alexis Crkvenac's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
BQ Basements has provided excellent service. We have had absolutely no problem with our system despite numerous rain storms dumping an excess of 2+ inches of rain. I would recommend them to anyone looking to waterproof their basement. On our…
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View review Read Deborah Nawotka's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Great experience with BQ basement. I have no regrets going with them and that is something I can hardly say about any other companies.
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View review Read Thomas Abbott's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
We’ve had our basement waterproofing for just over two years now and our basement has been completely dry, even during heavy rains. Zac Moren has come out every year for our annual maintenance and does a great job. He is very thorough and always…
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View review Read Sheri Zola's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
I was worried of potential issues with my foundation. Read way too much online and was very nervous so I contacted BQ for a free estimate. The scheduling process via sales was really pleasant and easy. When my specialist came by (John Mohr) he was…
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View review Read Tatiana Swedek's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Amazing work by TJ and Jake! We had cracks and uneven concrete. They fixed everything, explained the work they had done, and we now love our patio and porch again. Thanks!
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View review Read Elizabeth Cross's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Why didn’t we do this YEARS ago instead of mopping up a wet church basement floor every time it rained?!? Foreman Steve and his crew of Zach and Nasir were WONDERFUL fixing our problem and they couldn’t have been nicer! BQ’s communication was…
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View review Read Susan Zeager's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
We used BQ basement for a pretty big job. Foundation/floor in our house was sinking and had serious damage to the main structural support of the house. This type of work is no joke. As you can imagine this type of work isn’t cheap so I wanted a…
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View review Read Alka Kumar's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
A storm flooded our basement, so we contacted three companies and BQ Basements made the best presentation so we gave them the green light. Today, March 8, the crew showed up. It was the crew chief, John and his crew: Rahad, Dave and Miles. It was an…
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View review Read Dave Smoot's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Working with BQ was an excellent experience! Our initial estimate was with Austin, who was knowledgeable and explained our options concisely and well. We were initially quoted a start time of late April, but with a toddler and another on the way,…
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View review Read Matt Moutoux's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
John Mohr was very informative.
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View review Read Shawn Robinson's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Mike F. came out to assess my issue. He was on time, courteous and very nice. He got everything taken care of for me at a good price. I couldn’t be happier!
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View review Read Angeline Dischinger's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
Eamonn, Matt M and Nasir of BQ Basement came and rocked out a great job of encapsulating my very musty and damp dirt crawlspace that made my poor dehumidifier run 24/7/365 in spring and summer. This new Aprilaire unit should do a much better job and…
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View review Read Edward Wtulich's review for BQ Basements and Concrete -
The BQ Basement Team of John, Rahad, Dave W and Miles installed a sump pump in or basement earlier today. They were on-time, professional and nice.
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View review Read Barbara Geary's review for BQ Basements and Concrete
Basement Waterproofing Solutions
Don’t let a leaking, wet basement cause problems for your home. We offer a variety of proven and trusted solutions, customized to your basement’s exact needs. Trust BQ to protect your home and keep it dry and safe for years to come.
BQ Basements & Concrete

AquaStop BasementGutter™ Interior Drainage
A Perimeter Drainage System Inside Your Home will keep your Wet Basement Dry.
BQ Basements & Concrete

AquaStop Basement Sump Pump System
Our experienced sump pump installation crews pride themselves on their ability to complete a quality waterproofing job in a single day, with larger jobs taking two.
BQ Basements & Concrete

Basement Dehumidifier System
BQ Basements & Concrete offers energy efficient dehumidifiers, one of the best choices to solve any and all of your basement and crawl space issues.
BQ Basements & Concrete

FreezeGuard™
The perfect solution to clogged and frozen discharge lines in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Is Basement Waterproofing the Right Solution for Me?
If you’re worried about moisture-related problems happening within your home, they may be due to water in your basement. Contact BQ Basements & Concrete to set up a free inspection and learn more about our services. Our certified and knowledgeable inspectors will do a full assessment of your property and explain the best solution to keep your home dry and safe. Whether it is our superior sump pump systems, interior drainage, or dehumidifiers, we know what it takes to protect your basement for good. With over 20 years of experience, we have been protecting homeowners in Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware with our leading products and exceptional customer service.
FAQS
Moisture can get in your Philadelphia basement in a variety of ways. Leaks are probably the most obvious way, though even these can vary in how they form. Water from outside your home might start to press up against your basement walls, leaking through if the pressure becomes dense enough. These leaks can eventually expand wider and cause your basement to flood if you simply ignore them for too long. Leaks can also spring from other sources as well. If your plumbing breaks, for instance, then the water and sewage from those pipes can build up behind your walls and eventually leak into your basement as well. You might even notice a musty smell that only seems to linger around your basement because of this.
Any cracks you see around your basement will also allow moisture to seep through. This does not just include any cracks along your walls but from your floor, too. Groundwater can well up and begin to flood your basement at any given time, too, so you should not underestimate even the smaller cracks found along your basement floor. This constant flooding can also bring about other issues such as mold and mildew growth and pest infestations.
For any homeowner living in Atlantic City, a sump pump is a crucial must-have. With year round rain entering your crawl space, a sump pump is the only way to ensure you don’t go crazy mopping up water every few weeks. If you don’t have a sump pump already or are looking to replace the one you have, you need to understand what your crawl space needs before you buy. In a rainy city like Atlantic City, it’s not enough to have just any kind of sump pump. Sump pumps that get overworked break down very easily, and if your pump is going to turn itself on every time it rains, you need something with power. Something like the AquaStop Compact Crawl Space Sump Pump, which has an optional backup battery in case the pump stops working. It also notifies you when there is a leak in your crawl space, a useful function since many homeowners don’t regularly check the condition of their crawl space.
Let’s say your basement is extremely humid, but it doesn’t experience any kind of flooding. Does humidity harm your basement as much as water does? After all, if the only thing wrong with your basement is stuffy, damp air, how much harm can it do? The truth is, humidity is not only harmful for your basement, it’s also indicative of problems that will eventually cause harm. Part of the reason it’s such a significant problem in the first place is because most of its consequences aren’t felt until the damage is severe. Where there is excessive humidity, there is mold. Mold growth in your basement harms both you and your home’s structure. Because of the stack effect, the air in your basement rises in your home, including any existing fungal spores. Long-term exposure to mold triggers allergies and causes permanent harm to the respiratory system. Humidity also encourages pests to make a nest out of your basement, further increasing the risk of illness.
If your basement is leaking, it can sometimes be pretty easy to spot where it’s coming from. The window, the pipes, and the washing machine are all common sources of basement leaks. If you walk into your basement and see water coming from the floor, however, that might be a bit more confusing. If the pipes and vents are fine, the window is dry, and the machines are working as normal, there should be no water, right? Well, due to Southern NJ’s clay soil, the answer is no. Clay soils are able to retain water really well for long periods of time; it’s actually one of its many defining features. When a lot of water accumulates in the soil surrounding your foundation, it can often pool right alongside your foundation and put a lot of pressure on the wall. This is known as hydrostatic pressure. This refers to the weight of the water that pushes up against the foundation wall until it begins to bow inward. Long-term pressure on the foundation eventually causes cracks along most of the wall, but the most significant damage can be found at the wall-floor joint.
Having a beautiful, healthy tree growing on your property makes your yard look interesting and visually pleasing. However, there’s a good chance that your tree is ruining your foundation and causing those pesky leaks in your basement or crawl space. Many homeowners misunderstand how a tree is able to do so much damage and believe that the tree roots themselves are the issue when it’s actually the soil. Like most problems pertaining to foundation damage, expansive soils are the culprits, not the tree roots. The characteristics of clay soils make it so trees encourage shrink-swell capacities and soil displacement.
A good way to determine whether your basement or crawl space has high humidity levels is to check if the concrete has efflorescence stains. Efflorescence is a white, powdery substance on the surface of concrete. If you touch it or scrape it, it feels grainy and some of it flakes off. At times, homeowners will confuse efflorescence for mold, but this is incorrect. Efflorescence is salt, which you can feel the texture of if you scrape it off the concrete.
Efflorescence appears on your concrete either due to primary efflorescence or secondary efflorescence. Primary efflorescence usually occurs 48 to 72 hours after the concrete is poured and it’s a result of an excess amount of water in the cement mixture. As the cement cures, the water evaporates and rises to the surface of the concrete but brings along with it all the salts and minerals from the cement. Even professionals get a bad mixture from time to time, but an experienced contractor is less likely to make cement that produces efflorescence.
Why is Basement Waterproofing Needed?

Protects Your Home Against Mold and Mildew
If you walk down to your basement only to experience a musty odor, you may be dealing with a basement leak. When moisture gets into your basement, it raises the humidity levels and causes the development of mold and mildew to grow. All mold needs to thrive is dampness and organic materials, both of which are found within your basement. The spread of mold throughout your home can be extremely dangerous and cause a health risk for anyone who has asthma or allergies. By installing a waterproofing system and a dehumidifier, you can prevent mold growth altogether.

Keeps It Dry in the Event of Flooding
Nothing is more daunting than experiencing a flood in your home. From your valuables getting damaged, the cleanup process, and finding out how to prevent it in the future, it can be frustrating to any homeowner. Fortunately, our waterproofing experts know just the systems and solutions to fix your problem. Whether it be our AquaStop Basement Sump Pump System, AquaStop BasementGutter™ Interior Drainage, or our basement dehumidifier system, we can protect your home from the damaging effects of floodwater in your home.

Protects It from Soil-Related Problems
One of the biggest reasons water gets into your basement has to do with the soil that lies underneath your foundation. If the soil Is too loosely compacted or becomes oversaturated with water, you may notice water leaking in. This is especially true if your foundation already has cracks that become easy access points. Both the clay bowl effect and hydrostatic pressure can contribute to water damage in your basement. It’s important to make sure any cracks are repaired before waterproofing systems are installed. By installing one of our solutions, you can prevent the effects of soil-related moisture problems in your basement.
Common Basement Waterproofing Tips & Mistakes
Helpful Tips for Waterproofing Your Basement
- Even a completely waterproofed, sealed basement can experience excess moisture levels in the air that can lead to mold growth. A high capacity, energy-efficient, self-draining basement dehumidifier will improve the air quality inside your basement as well as above in the home’s living areas.
- Waterproofing your basement can save you money overall. HVAC systems, like the furnace and air conditioning ductwork, is often located in your basement. In the summer when temperatures are hot, if your basement isn’t sealed properly, the ducts are also hot. This means your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your living space when air is moving through hot ducts. The same is true in the winter when warm air runs through cold ducts to reach the desired temperature. By stabilizing the temperature within your basement temperature with proper insulation, you will not only reduce your energy usage but also decrease the rate of wear and tear on your HVAC system.
- If a natural event like a flood occurs, you’re going to want to make sure your sump pump is in good working condition, and you have a battery backup in case of a power outage. Just like regular home appliances, if the power fails, so will your sump pump, causing floor waters to damage your home. By having a battery backup installed, you can rest assured that water is still getting directed away from your basement if flooding happens.
Mistakes to Avoid When Waterproofing Your Basement
- Not installing a backup battery-powered basement sump pump can result in excess water flooding the space in the event of a power outage or device malfunction. A backup sump pump allows ultimate peace of mind.
- Homeowners may think waterproofing their basement is a one-and-done type of process when it comes to managing water. However, this is not true. Although waterproofing systems can play a significant role in preventing water damage in your basement, without sealing the walls and floor from moisture and water vapor, your home’s indoor air quality and mold and mildew growth problems are likely to persist. Waterproofing also goes hand in hand with other water management systems such as your gutters. It’s important to make sure they’re clean and free of debris to properly prevent water pooling around your home’s foundation.
- Attempting to DIY your basement waterproofing project, although completely understandable, can cause more harm than good. Unfortunately, many of the high-quality products and solutions we use at BQ Basements & Concrete are not available at big box stores, and ensuring materials are installed properly is key. For example, if a plastic vapor barrier is installed on the walls, but not the floors, water can still get in and mold growth will begin. Additionally, if your basement’s sump pump isn’t effective any water that isn’t directed away from your home can cause problems.
Find your service area

Camden, NJ
Crawl space encapsulation, interior drains, and floor joist supports are effective solutions against the problematic soil and climate in Camden.

Philadelphia, PA
With year-round rain, homeowners in Philadelphia are all too familiar with the damaging effects that water can have on their foundation and basement. Let us help protect your home with our proven solutions.

Trenton, NJ
Foundation and basement problems can destroy your Trenton home and lower its value. Let the experts at BQ Basements & Concrete help repair and restore your property.

Atlantic City, NJ
Known for its iconic Boardwalk, Atlantic City is also known for its year-round precipitation which leads to homeowners experiencing flooding foundations, basements, and crawl spaces.

Dover, DE
Situated near the St. Jones River, Dover homeowners are all too familiar with the problems that water and humidity can bring upon their foundation and basement.

Wilmington, DE
Wilmington’s proximity to the ocean and the Chesapeake Bay makes for a variety of water related damage to homeowners’ foundations, basements, and crawl spaces.

Southern, NJ
The climate in Southern NJ can bring a multitude of issues with your crawl space, basement, foundation, and concrete surrounding your home. Weatherproof your home with our proven solutions.
