Our 1952 Hamilton home had recurring basement leaks after every major rain. Three cracks in the east wall (facing downhill), plus general seepage through the block foundation. Got quotes for both approaches.
Interior drainage system quotes:
- Company A (Basement Systems franchise): $14,200 — WaterGuard perimeter drain, TripleSafe sump, transferable warranty
- Company B (local): $9,800 — perforated pipe at footing, single sump pump, 10-year warranty
- Company C: $11,500 — similar to B plus crack injections included
Exterior excavation quotes:
- Company D: $28,500 — full perimeter excavation, dimple board membrane, new weeping tile, backfill
- Company E: $19,400 — east and south walls only (the wet sides), dimple board, new drainage
What we chose: Company C’s interior system at $11,500, plus crack injections.
Why not exterior?
Our landscaping (mature gardens, flagstone pathway, 20-year-old cedars against the foundation) made full excavation extremely disruptive and expensive. The water infiltration was manageable — not catastrophic. Interior system manages it without destroying everything above grade.
6-month update:
No water since installation. Sump pump has run twice during heavy rain events — exactly as designed. The crack injections sealed two of the three wall cracks completely.
Would I do exterior if starting from scratch on a new purchase? Yes, on a bare lot. On an established landscaped property with a manageable leak situation, interior drainage makes much more sense.