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FRS Crew member installing interior drainage system

Basement Waterproofing

We offer basement waterproofing solutions to homeowners all over the states of Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, and Iowa. Find out what waterproofing your basement can do for your home and health here.

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Is your basement leaking and wet? Do you see white, chalky powder (likely efflorescence) or water stains on the walls or floor? Water in your basement can cause mold, mildew, and damage to your home’s structure; basement waterproofing is the best way to protect your home.


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The Causes of a Wet Basement

A wet basement affects the value and ability to sell a home. How did your basement get to be like this in the first place?

When the soil around your foundation absorbs moisture, it expands and puts pressure on the foundation. This pressure, known as hydrostatic pressure, can cause cracks and inward bowing of foundation walls, compromising their structural integrity.

The “clay bowl effect” happens when a house is built and the contractor digs a hole where they then pour concrete for the foundation. The gap between the foundation walls and the existing earth is then filled with excavated soil. However, this soil is looser and more aerated than the surrounding soil, so water collects around the foundation walls and cracks them due to hydrostatic pressure.

A functional sump pump system is crucial for keeping basements dry, serving as the heart of a basement waterproofing system. However, failing sump pumps allow water to collect in the basement, and some popular sump pump systems have metal basins with poorly fitting or no lids.

These systems are ineffective as they can rust, corrode, and allow water to evaporate back into the basement, leading to unpleasant odors and moisture issues. Additionally, debris and objects can fall into the system and damage the pump if the sump pit is partially covered.

Improper exterior drainage can cause water to pool next to your home and seep into porous block foundation walls. 

The best way to prevent water from entering your home is to bury downspout conductor lines and direct them away from your home. However, the buried drainage system should be in good condition so it does not crack or collapse, resulting in basement flooding. Additionally, some traditional underground downspout conductor lines may become clogged with dirt and debris, causing water backup and overflow issues.

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Groundworks, LLC BBB Business Review

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Sam came did an inspection For a driveway did a good job. Give me a decent price and I’m gonna think about it. Probably go with them.👍

Sam came did an inspection For a driveway did a good job. Give me a decent price and I’m gonna think about it. Probably go with them.👍

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Chris is awesome! Very professional, thorough and considerate. Highly recommend him. Prices are great,

Chris is awesome! Very professional, thorough and considerate. Highly recommend him. Prices are great,

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Very helpful and straight forward salesman. Work crew accomplished crawlspace encapsulation on time and did great work. I thought I had an…

Very helpful and straight forward salesman. Work crew accomplished crawlspace encapsulation on time and did great work. I thought I had an issue and they immediately sent someone to check. It turned out I had a plumbing leak that they pointed out but no charge for the visit. Highly recommend.

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Landen, Sergio and Gustavo were polite and friendly, they completed their work in a timely manner. Overall, the team was professional.

Landen, Sergio and Gustavo were polite and friendly, they completed their work in a timely manner. Overall, the team was professional.

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Kevin Macdonald was very knowledgeable and informative.I learned a lot from him about home foundations.

Kevin Macdonald was very knowledgeable and informative.I learned a lot from him about home foundations.

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Hunter was very friendly and gave me some valuable information about concrete repair around my building, even though the work in question…

Hunter was very friendly and gave me some valuable information about concrete repair around my building, even though the work in question was outside of the scope of what the company does.

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Hi, this is tehmana Mahmood, I had called yesterday for inspection, I got appointment for the very next day , Mathew Menge , came on time…

Hi, this is tehmana Mahmood, I had called yesterday for inspection, I got appointment for the very next day , Mathew Menge , came on time and called 15 minutes earlier, to confirm, had a fantastic service, I am so grateful and happy with his service, he is a gem , I am going to refer your company, I had a excellent experience, super happy, GOD bless you and everyone that work there , thank you

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Matthew and Leland did an awesome job on our foundation repair and the lift on our porch! They were very thorough and knowledgeable in…

Matthew and Leland did an awesome job on our foundation repair and the lift on our porch! They were very thorough and knowledgeable in answering all of our questions throughout the lengthy process. We're very pleased with their work. I was expecting a huge mess in our yard after completion but we were pleasantly surprised and how “cleaned up” everything was. Thank you Matthew and Leland for a job well-done! Thanks also to Barry for always getting back to me in such a timely manner with my plethora of questions before the job began!

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Kevin Macdonald came out and told us what was happening to our home. He was straight forward, honest and just nice as can be. Very happy…

Kevin Macdonald came out and told us what was happening to our home. He was straight forward, honest and just nice as can be. Very happy with the outcome. Would recommend this company to anyone. If our next home needs any foundation repair, we will call them again. Thank you for helping us.

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We were having some water issues in the basement, so we called up Foundation Recovery Systems for help. Scott was our inspector and was…

We were having some water issues in the basement, so we called up Foundation Recovery Systems for help. Scott was our inspector and was extremely helpful. He arrived on time and was very happy to answer all of our questions and was very thorough in explaining everything. All in all, we had a great experience with this Co and would not hesitate to recommend to anyone else.

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Even though the job is beyond what I can do currently, Matthew still spent the time going over possibilities with me. Really appreciate his …

Even though the job is beyond what I can do currently, Matthew still spent the time going over possibilities with me. Really appreciate his effort!

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Landon and crew were great to work with. They were efficient and thorough, staying on the schedule promised. I'm not expecting to need to …

Landon and crew were great to work with. They were efficient and thorough, staying on the schedule promised. I'm not expecting to need to call them about any post installation issues. They also were careful to make sure the dog didn't get into any trouble during the process.

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Will and his crew of Luke and Kana did an excellent job installing piers on our foundation. Will communicated well with me throughout the…

Will and his crew of Luke and Kana did an excellent job installing piers on our foundation. Will communicated well with me throughout the day and answered any questions I had. They stayed late until after 8 PM to get the job done and did an excellent job cleaning up after. They are welcome back anytime. Great job men!

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Timber, Brandon, Lee, Jerome, Dewayne, and Charles all did a fantastic job on our basement, they all where friendly and always made sure…

Timber, Brandon, Lee, Jerome, Dewayne, and Charles all did a fantastic job on our basement, they all where friendly and always made sure too keep us updated on how the project was coming along!

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Nic came out and gave a thorough inspection, communicated everything to resolve our issues. Highly recommend for professionalism and…

Nic came out and gave a thorough inspection, communicated everything to resolve our issues. Highly recommend for professionalism and communication

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FRS installed a drainage system on the periphery of our entire house basement. Lee, Camryn, and Joshua are very professional,…

FRS installed a drainage system on the periphery of our entire house basement. Lee, Camryn, and Joshua are very professional, knowledgeable, and experienced. They were happy to accommodate our requests and got the job done in a timely manner. I recommend Foundation Recovery Systems.

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Work done and exceeded expectations. Forman. Alex Zike. Co Formans: Austin Heuer and Robert Smith.

Work done and exceeded expectations. Forman. Alex Zike. Co Formans: Austin Heuer and Robert Smith.

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I recently had this company out for an inspection, and I was very impressed with their service. Although I ultimately chose not to move…

I recently had this company out for an inspection, and I was very impressed with their service. Although I ultimately chose not to move forward with them, Bradley Cooper (even though he was not the real actor) was thorough and professional. The contractor arrived on time, was friendly, and took the time to explain the details of what they found. He was knowledgeable and transparent, providing insights and answering all my questions. Even though I decided to go in a different direction, I would recommend them to anyone. Great experience overall!

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I had a sump pump alarm going off. I called to get someone out and the first available day was the end of the month. They did say that they …

I had a sump pump alarm going off. I called to get someone out and the first available day was the end of the month. They did say that they would try to get someone out sooner and would get back to me. I had Larry's cell number from when he came out for my yearly maintenance last year. I texted him telling him what was happening and he came out fixed the problem. Explained to me what had happened and what I needed to do if it happened again. Any company would benefit from him. He is extremely knowledgeable and kind. Truly cares for his customers, and gives his best. I can't say enough about Larry. He knows his business. Thank you for having a wonderful employee.

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Had an estimator Preston come out. On time, very thorough, very professional and friendly. Gave me an exact picture of what to expect and…

Had an estimator Preston come out. On time, very thorough, very professional and friendly. Gave me an exact picture of what to expect and plan. Would highly recommend. Thanks Preston for a great experience.

Is Basement Waterproofing the Right Solution for Me?

If you have a leaking basement, yes. 

Ignoring even a small amount of water can lead to significant damage such as mold and mildew growth, damage to your belongings, and structural damage, all of which can threaten your family’s health and your home’s safety. Customized basement waterproofing, or foundation waterproofing, solutions are an effective way to protect your home from these risks.

Waterproofing basement areas includes an interior drainage systems to catch leaking water and reliable sump pump systems to pump the water out of the basement and away from your home’s foundation. Our comprehensive basement waterproofing services also include dehumidifiers, vapor barriers, anti-freeze discharge line attachments, and sump pump backup batteries.

Basement Waterproofing Systems FAQs

Water can enter due to poor drainage, high water tables, cracks in the foundation, hydrostatic pressure, or improper landscaping.

A sump pump removes accumulated water from the basement, preventing flooding and reducing hydrostatic pressure.

Costs vary depending on the method used and the extent of the issue, ranging from a few hundred dollars for minor fixes to several thousand for extensive repairs.

Properly installed waterproofing systems can last decades, with some solutions offering lifetime warranties.

The Benefits of Basement Waterproofing

Not all homes are built with proper basement waterproofing or drainage systems, and any sub-standard material can break down and fail over time. Here are some of the most common reasons for a basement waterproofing system:

Stops Mold and Mildew

Basement waterproofing fights against mold and keeps your home healthy and dry. After a significant basement leak, it only takes up to 48 hours for surfaces to develop mold. Mold gives off musty odors, and it can irritate your respiratory system, and it’s especially problematic for people with existing lung conditions. There are many different types of mold, but black mold, in particular, is considered to be the most harmful.

Fixes Wall Cracks and Foundation Damage

Basement waterproofing means no more wall cracks and foundation damage. A cracked foundation and wet basement form a vicious cycle of damage. Overly saturated soil increases hydrostatic pressure around your basement, cracking them further and allowing water to leak inside. If both issues are not repaired, they will continue to worsen and could lead to flooding, structural instability, and even a wall’s complete collapse.

Restores Home Value

Foundation waterproofing can restore your home’s value when it comes time to sell. Most buyers want a turnkey property free of basement problems. A wet basement with mold and other damage reduces the value of your home. Buyers may ask for a lower selling price to get repairs, or they might ask you to repair the damage before they make an offer. So, it’s best to have any basement waterproofing done prior to listing your property.

Common Basement Waterproofing Tips & Mistakes

3 Helpful Tips to Consider:

  • Even with a basement waterproofing system in place, including interior drainage and a sump pump, humidity and condensation can still wreak havoc on your basement and contribute to mold and mildew growth. It’s also a good idea to install an energy-efficient dehumidifier to help control moisture and humidity, decrease odors, and reduce the chance of mold growth.
  • Areas like Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis, and Des Moines are no stranger to frequent rains. If you live in an area that sees a lot of precipitation and storms, it’s a good idea to have a battery backup sump pump installed. This helpful addition to your sump pump system ensures it will continue to work to keep your basement dry even during power outages.
  • Along with high-quality basement waterproofing solutions inside your home, you also need to pay attention to exterior systems like your gutters and downspouts. Making sure they are properly functioning and free of debris and clogs helps keep water away from your basement.

3 Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Many homeowners look for a “quick fix” to their wet basement problems, including so-called “waterproof” paint. Anyone can get DIY basement waterproofing solutions at hardware and big-box stores, but they are temporary at best. You would have to continue purchasing and reapplying them to the basement, which may cause even more damage.
  • You need more than a footing drain. When homes are constructed, the builders generally lay a footing drain next to the foundation. This helps keep water away from the basement. However, because it is buried so far underground, the weight of the soil can weaken and crush the fragile pipes, allowing water to leak inside the basement. You need more basement waterproofing solutions in place.
  • Having a dehumidifier is essential, but many believe any dehumidification unit will help all spaces. Because basements are completely or partially underground, they are naturally more humid than other areas of your home, so a conventional dehumidifier won’t cut it. You need a professional-grade dehumidifier and a comprehensive basement waterproofing system to match.

Providing Expert Basement Waterproofing in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas

Pennsylvania trusts FRS for reliable basement waterproofing, crawl space, foundation, gutter, and concrete repair services. Contact us for a free inspection!  

Top Cities We Serve


FRS service area

Our Locations

Cedar Rapids

3349 Southgate Ct SW,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(319) 220-5034

Central Illinois

14678 E 925 North Rd, Building 5
Bloomington, IL 61705

Des Moines

2401 SE Creekview Dr.
Ankeny, IA 50021
(515) 373-8491

Kansas City

7280 NW 87th Terrace, Suite C-210
Kansas City, MO 64153
(816) 774-1539

Lee's Summit

211 SE State Route 150
Lee's Summit, MO 64082
(816) 774-1539

Moberly

1872 State Hwy M
Moberly, MO 65270
(660) 202-8662

Springfield

3020 N. Martin Ave.
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 612-8286

St. Louis

1625 Larkin Williams rd.
Fenton, MO 63026
(314) 207-9995