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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.

Award-Winning Service

Groundworks, LLC BBB Business Review

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We are constantly recommending Foundation Recovery Systems to our friends—primarily because of how great Shae Weber is. He just brings an…

We are constantly recommending Foundation Recovery Systems to our friends—primarily because of how great Shae Weber is. He just brings an extra level of care to the project. He has a sharp eye for detail and really knows his stuff. We did foundation work on one well and waterproofing with a sump pump. Shae was so great at coordinating the team, communicating with us, and making sure the work was top-notch. There was one hiccup in the project, and Shae made sure to come back out and fix it himself when the team was busy. He really went above and beyond. When it came to do another wall, we made sure to call and ensure we had Shae involved in the job. When our friends have mentioned needing foundation repair or waterproofing, we always recommend FRS. But if Shae went anywhere else, we would follow him.

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Bill W was very knowledgeable and helpful with getting my basement waterproofed.

Bill W was very knowledgeable and helpful with getting my basement waterproofed.

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Great experience. Very personable and professional. He was very knowledgeable and didn't try to oversale. Got estimates from two other…

Great experience. Very personable and professional. He was very knowledgeable and didn't try to oversale. Got estimates from two other companies and was more impressed with Matt and what he was able to do for us!

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Trevor Atwell came out for a service visit today and addressed all of my concerns and provided me with peace of mind. He answered every…

Trevor Atwell came out for a service visit today and addressed all of my concerns and provided me with peace of mind. He answered every single question no matter how big or small that I had with great explanations and examples. His wealth of knowledge in the field is evident and I hope to see him for all future service visits.

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I just watched Robert and Chase drive away after 6 days of facing a tremendously challenging and downright nasty crawl space repair – they…

I just watched Robert and Chase drive away after 6 days of facing a tremendously challenging and downright nasty crawl space repair – they tackled the job with a positive attitude and left this 105 year old home stable and ready to weather another century. The honest and open communication of the entire crew coupled with their demonstrated confidence and competence was all the reassurance I needed to know this job was done to the highest of standards and will stand the test of time. Thanks beyond measure to Lee J., Robert S., Chase M., Kaden D. and Tanner W. – you guys are absolute rock stars. I would recommend FRS – Moberly not only for their skill and steadfast work ethic, but also for their kindness, up-front honesty about what the job entails and their willingness to ensure the job is done right for the best future of your home. Photos: The first three photos will give you an idea what they had to endure. That last photo demonstrates the massive improvement – I’d *almost* be willing to go under there myself now! After a couple of pending plumbing repairs the encapsulation will be complete, but it’s now a safe and clean crawl space for work to continue on this old piece of history I call home.

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Chad Russell was very punctual. Showed up at the scheduled time while what I needed was not an offering of Foundation Recovery systems book …

Chad Russell was very punctual. Showed up at the scheduled time while what I needed was not an offering of Foundation Recovery systems book of business, Chad showed concern and was eager to assist with what we needed. With his recommendation we hired a separate company to remove mold from our basement. At the time of this writing their task is almost complete. We would have never identified this company without Chad’s recommendation. His friendliness and eagerness to help was greatly appreciated!! Bob and Tona Bowen

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Very very professional took all the time that we needed he explained everything in detail when above his I think his duty of doing it and…

Very very professional took all the time that we needed he explained everything in detail when above his I think his duty of doing it and he just explained everything without any questions and I hope this in any way he could thank you very much

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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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Tyler Morelan was great to work with. He was attentive, professional, knowledgeable, and committed to not over selling just to earn…

Tyler Morelan was great to work with. He was attentive, professional, knowledgeable, and committed to not over selling just to earn business. Foundation Recovery Systems should be proud of the representation that Tyler provides to their customers.

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Landon K . was very professional and did a thorough job.

Landon K . was very professional and did a thorough job.

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Foundation Recovery did an awesome job on stabilizing 3 sides of my basement, putting in a sump pump and waterproofing under the front…

Foundation Recovery did an awesome job on stabilizing 3 sides of my basement, putting in a sump pump and waterproofing under the front porch. Cole and Lee have been so helpful! The continuing support is great!! I highly recommend!!!

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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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Justin came out and gave me a thorough inspection of my property. He addressed my problem areas and gave me a quote for the work that…

Justin came out and gave me a thorough inspection of my property. He addressed my problem areas and gave me a quote for the work that needs to be done. He was courteous of my time, knowledgeable and professional which is why I will be using Foundation Recovery Systems after getting bids from other companies.

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Brian German was great to work with.

Brian German was great to work with.

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i was very happy with the services they provided. they were quick and professional, and did all they could to make things convenient for me….

i was very happy with the services they provided. they were quick and professional, and did all they could to make things convenient for me. special thanks to the crew that did my work. Cliff, Nolan, and Rylee. great group of guys.

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Kevin Macdonald did a great job explaining what needs to be done to fix my flooring issue. He was extremely professional and prompt. We…

Kevin Macdonald did a great job explaining what needs to be done to fix my flooring issue. He was extremely professional and prompt. We were completely clueless on how to fix our home and Kevin showed us exactly what was wrong and how to fix it. I would recommend him to everyone that is looking to fix their foundation.

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Jared Estes did an amazing job inspecting our crawl space for moisture and damage as well as inspecting for any sagging in the structure of …

Jared Estes did an amazing job inspecting our crawl space for moisture and damage as well as inspecting for any sagging in the structure of our home. He was completely honest with us regarding our foundation issue, and I never felt like he was just trying to make a sale. I would highly recommend Jared and Foundation Recovery Systems to anyone that has foundation issues.

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Fantastic crew, worked all day, cleaned up when was finished. Kept us posted along the way

Fantastic crew, worked all day, cleaned up when was finished. Kept us posted along the way

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Matt Kobel is so knowledgeable, patience and we are getting our foundation done with him! Thank you very much Matt!

Matt Kobel is so knowledgeable, patience and we are getting our foundation done with him! Thank you very much Matt!

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Reasonably priced; friendly customer service, cleaned up well when job was over. Highly recommend.

Reasonably priced; friendly customer service, cleaned up well when job was over. Highly recommend.

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

6300 NW Beaver Dr.
Johnston, IA 50131
(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