Serving Minnesota and Wisconsin Since 1977

Professional Basement Waterproofing in Minnesota & Western Wisconsin

Professional basement waterproofing protects your foundation from water damage, prevents mold and mildew, and keeps your basement dry year-round. Standard Water Control Systems installs proven basement waterproofing systems throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, helping homeowners protect their homes and peace of mind. Contact us today for a free estimate!

Minnesota & Wisconsin's Trusted Basement Waterproofing Experts Since 1977

Water doesn’t need a large opening to get into a basement. A hairline crack in a block wall, a compromised joint where the floor meets the foundation, or a drain tile system that has reached the end of its life can all let enough moisture in to cause real damage over time. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, freeze-thaw cycles and clay-heavy soils accelerate that process, putting steady pressure on foundations from late fall through early spring.

Standard Water Control has been waterproofing basements for homeowners across Minnesota and western Wisconsin since 1977. We’ve installed systems in more than 30,000 homes and put over 2.2 million feet of drain tile in the ground. We don’t use subcontractors, and we stamp our name in the concrete next to every sump basin we install because we stand behind the work for the life of your foundation.

Signs Your Basement Has a Water Problem

Basement water problems show up in a range of ways depending on where the water is coming from and how long it has been getting in. Some signs are immediate and visible. Others develop gradually and can go unnoticed until the damage is already done. Knowing what to look for helps you catch the problem before it reaches your framing, your flooring, or your air quality. Standard Water Control offers free inspections for homeowners across Minnesota and western Wisconsin, so if anything on this list looks familiar, a call is the right next step.

Here’s what to look for:

Musty or earthy odors coming from the basement, even when nothing looks wet
Efflorescence on block or poured concrete walls, the white or gray chalky deposits left behind when water moves through masonry and evaporates
Damp or wet walls after heavy rain or snowmelt, with or without visible cracks
Water stains or tide marks along the base of the walls or across the floor
Rust stains near the floor drain, sump basin, or wall anchors
Mold or mildew on walls, wood framing, stored belongings, or carpet
Peeling paint or bubbling drywall in finished basement spaces
Standing water on the floor after rain or during spring thaw

These signs don’t all point to the same problem, and the right fix depends on what’s actually driving the water in. A free inspection gives you a clear picture before any work begins.

The Solution

The Standard Water Waterproofing System

Every basement waterproofing installation Standard Water Control performs uses the same core system, refined over decades of work in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The components are chosen to work together as a complete water removal path, from the foundation wall to the exterior of the home, and the full system carries a warranty good for the life of your foundation.

How We Install Basement Waterproofing

In most cases, a full basement waterproofing installation takes two days. Standard Water Control crews handle everything from start to finish using their own permanent staff, no subcontractors, and take steps at every stage to protect your home and property during the process.

Step 1: Dig Trenches & Protect The Foundation

Our crews take special care to protect your property by putting plywood on your lawn to protect your grass. To protect your flooring, we put runners in high traffic areas. We also seal off doorways and vents, and cover personal belongings with plastic, before covering the rest of the work area with plastic walls to seal it off. We use air scrubbers with Hepa filters and jackhammers equipped with Hepa vacuums to help reduce dust.

After the preparation work is done, the foreman will walk you through the site answering any questions you may have. We then jackhammer around the basement’s perimeter, removing approximately 18 inches of the floor from the wall. The finest equipment is used and our crews pay special attention to ensure the footing of the foundation is undamaged. All trenches are dug by hand and sloped toward the sump basket. The dirt and debris are removed via rubber buckets and wheelbarrows and hauled away by our trucks for recycling.

basement waterproofing drilling foundation blocks

Step 2: Drain Water From Foundation Blocks

With each system Standard Water installs, we drill drainage holes in each and every cavity of the basement wall where the block meets the foundation. This allows water to flow freely into the waterproofing system where it can be safely and efficiently pumped away from your house. With a poured concrete wall the drain holes are not necessary. Our patented Diamond Drainage Board® allows the water to flow across the footing and into the drainage medium.

Step 3: Install Rigid Drainage Pipe

We use rigid PVC drainage pipe (also known as drain tile) ensuring an even downhill slope to the sump basin. Rigid drainage pipe is superior to flexible pipe–in part because the drainage holes are bigger and are not subject to clogging from minerals that plagues flexible piping. Flexible pipe also holds water in low spots that can add to a moisture problem in your basement. Basically, rigid piping does a better job of moving water to the sump basin.

Step 4: Patented Drainage Technology

Our Patented Diamond Drainage Board®, provides you significant benefits over conventional methods:

- It facilitates the unrestricted flow of water from the block, across the footing and into the drainage field.
- It eliminates the concern of sediment blockage in the small openings of tubes and other products.
- Diamond Drainage Board® allows for replacement of concrete to the same thickness as the original floor with positive contact to the footing. This will restore the structural strength of your floor. It also resolves the need for an “open gap” between the floor and wall for moisture barrier installation and to keep the creepy crawlies out.
- By installing our patented technology with every basement waterproofing system, we help provide peace of mind for homeowners for generations to come.

Step 5: Install Moisture Barrier

A risk with the installation of any new waterproofing system is the threat of moisture wicking up through the cement after installation.

To eliminate this risk, Standard Water Control installs a moisture barrier, prior to having new concrete put in place and professionally finished. We are so confident in this process, and its ability to permanently eliminate basement seepage, that we stamp our name in every job we do – right in the concrete next to the sump basin.

Step 6: Install Superior Sump Pump System

Our Superior Sump SystemSM includes a sump basket manufactured from structural plastic with our Diamond Plate CoverSM bolted down – airtight – for controlled access and safety. The sump pump is the highest quality available, and is used with every basement waterproofing system we install.

This premium grade, totally automatic submersible pump with a high water alarm helps ensure a longer pump life and a dry basement. Two discharge pipes are installed on every job, one for the primary pump and the other to facilitate the installation of a battery backup pump system now or in the future.

Our Work

Why Homeowners Choose Standard Water Control for Basement Waterproofing

Standard Water Control has been waterproofing basements across Minnesota and western Wisconsin since 1977. In that time the company has installed systems in more than 30,000 homes and put over 2.2 million feet of drain tile in the ground. That scale of work, sustained over nearly five decades, comes from a reputation that holds up after the crew leaves.

Every installation is performed by Standard Water’s own permanent, trained employees. No subcontractors are brought in at any stage, and Standard Water stamps their name in the concrete on every job and backs the system with a lifetime foundation warranty.

Standard Water holds certification from the Basement Health Association as a below-grade waterproofing specialist, membership in the National Association of Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors, a 2018 BBB Torch Award for Ethics, and EPA lead safe certification. Fully licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin.

When you’re ready to stop worrying about your basement, Standard Water Control is ready to help. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate. No subcontractors, no pressure, just a straight answer about what your home needs.

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