Basement De-Watering Systems, Inc. is one of the foremost authorities on the residential wet basement. For example,
according to the U.S. Statistical Abstracts, it is estimated that 35% of all basements have water seepage. These are the
same findings reported by House Masters of America and the National Home Inspection Association. The Basement De-
Watering System has been installed successfully in over 40 states and Canada. We sell permanently dry basements with no digging.

When faced with the problem of a wet basement, it is important to understand the options available to remedy it.
For instance, there are only three (3) ways to permanently solve the problem.

1. Interior excavation of the basement floor followed
by the installation of drain tile. Cost ($3,500 -
$6,000)

2. Exterior excavation followed by the installation of
drain tile. Cost ($8,500 - $12,000 plus
landscaping)

3. Interior installation of a Basement De-Watering
System with no digging. Cost ($700 - $4,500)

Now, with this in mind, let's look at some myths about water seepage and methods of water control.

Myth #1--A sump pump will guarantee a dry basement.

A sump pump will not guarantee you a dry basement. A well installed 1/3 horsepower sump pump with a plastic lid, liner,
and check valve (professionally installed price $550-$800) will only make certain that water coming into your basement
does not get higher than the floor. It will not provide you a dry floor, if that is what you are in need of.

Myth #2--Crack sealants or epoxy injections will guarantee a dry basement.

Although crack fillers and epoxy injection will stop water from coming into the crack you repair, it will not guarantee
you a dry basement. We have all seen hydrostatic water pressure break solid concrete walls and floors. So, how can
something you put on or into floor or wall cracks keep out water permanently? The answer is it cannot. The water will
just find another point of entry. This method is much cheaper, but cannot be considered as an effective solution.
This is only damp-proofing.

Myth #3--Adjusting the gutters on a home will stop basement water seepage.

Hundreds of people say the same thing, "...adjust your gutters, it must be surface water that is causing your
problem.". This is simply not true. While adjusting your gutters or correcting any form of surface water is the most
economical method, it will NEVER GUARANTEE you a permanently dry basement!

Relying on these myths, homeowners often attempt to fix their own wet basements. Those who opt for a Do-It-Yourself method experience varying degrees of success, but in the end they realize that the problem hasn't truly been solved. Many will then hire a professional who, using one of the three methods we spoke of earlier, can guarantee them a dry basement.

Now that you understand the methods available to combat a wet basement, and the results you can expect from each of them, it is time to look at the source of basement water seepage.

Wet basements are the result of a high water table. For example, "If you dig a hole in the ground, and put a bucket
on the end of a rope, you might call that a well. If, on the other hand, you dig a very large hole in the ground and put a
house in it, you would call that a basement. THE WATER DOES NOT CARE WHAT YOU CALL IT!". It is ground water that iscausing the problem.

Now that you are familiar with the problem, and the possible solutions, you must decide if you need waterproofing or
dampproofing. Do you need a permanent or temporary solution? For example, if your Mother-in-law is moving in next week and you have to remodel the basement, you need a permanent solution. In any case, what you plan to use the basement for will help determine your need.

Which method is best suited for a particular situation? It depends.

For new construction, a builder's goal is to construct a home with a basement that will never leak. How do they provide
that? By properly installing a drain tile system, and a sump pump BEFORE the floor is poured.

For existing homes, any of the three methods will guarantee a dry basement. However, there are other factors to consider. For instance, if you have beautiful landscaping, digging outside to install drain tile doesn't sound too appealing.
What about that nice finished basement? Digging up the concrete floor to install interior drain tile loses its
allure, too. Price is also a consideration. As we learned earlier, the cost varies widely between methods. So you see,
many variables affect your decision. In review, if a permanent solution is what you need, there
are three choices:

1) Outside drain tile
2) Inside drain tile
3) Basement De-Watering Systems

Regardless of what you decide to do to solve your water seepage problem, it pays to be informed. By understanding
the nature of the problem and what can be done to remey it, you can make a wise decision.

For a free video explaining the Basement De-Watering System, call my office at Basement De-Watering Systems, Inc., 1-800-331-2943. You may also e-mail me at INFO@BDWS.COM

Thanks your for asking..
Basement De-Watering Systems, inc.
Bob Coker
http://www.bdws.com