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Rochester Foundation Repair Co

Serving Rochester and nearby areas

Water in Basement in Rochester, NY

Water in a Rochester basement can come from the soil, a crack, the floor drain or a pipe, and a free inspection finds the source before anyone sells you a fix.

Call now: (585) 449-9661 or book your free inspection online

Book a free foundation inspection

Tell us what you are seeing. A local specialist calls you back the same business day.

Local to Rochester

We connect property owners in Rochester and nearby areas, including Corn Hill, South Wedge, Park Avenue, 19th Ward, Greece and Irondequoit, with one independent local foundation repair specialist.

  • Wet soil in spring

    The National Weather Service says spring is the driest season around Rochester on average, but the soils are wet. Snowmelt and thaw keep the ground soaked right when many basements leak.

  • Soils that drain slowly

    USDA lists the Canandaigua soil, found on the old lake plains of western New York, as poorly drained. The Ontario till on the drumlins is dense. In both, water stays near the wall.

  • Combined sewers in the city

    Monroe County says storm and sanitary sewers are combined in the City of Rochester. That raises the risk of a backup through the floor drain in a big storm.

What it costs

Typical published ranges for Rochester. The contractor's written estimate is the price, and the inspection is free.

WorkTypical range
Inspection and written estimate Free
Gutters and downspout extensions $3 to $30per linear foot
Regrading the yard $500 to $3,000
Crack injection $250 to $1,000per crack
Sump pump installed $600 to $2,500
Inside drain along the walls $40 to $120per linear foot

See typical foundation repair prices in Rochester

First, find where the water comes from

Water in the basement is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The fix depends on where it gets in. Look at where the puddle starts and when it shows up.

At the base of the wall

Water where the wall meets the floor is the most common leak. Water in the soil pushes in at that joint.

From a crack

A wet line down a wall means the crack goes all the way through.

Up through the floor drain

Dirty water coming up the drain in a big storm is usually a sewer backup, not the foundation.

Through the floor

Water rising through floor cracks points to water under the slab.

At a window

A window well that fills up can pour water in.

Everywhere at once, only in summer

Damp walls in humid weather can be condensation.

In one spot, any time

Check the water heater, washer and pipes before blaming the walls.

Why Rochester basements get wet

Snow, then thaw. The National Weather Service says Rochester gets about 90 inches of snow in an average season, and about half of it comes from lake-effect storms. Winters bring frequent thaws and rain. Each thaw sends water into the ground next to your house.

Slow soil. Much of the area sits on dense glacial till or on old lake-bed silt. USDA describes the Canandaigua soil of the lake plains as poorly drained. When the soil cannot drain, water stays against the wall and finds the weak spots.

Old walls. Many Rochester homes were built before 1940 on stone or early block. Mortar joints wear out over time and let water through.

Sewers in the city. In the City of Rochester, storm and sanitary sewers are combined. In a heavy storm, the sewer can back up into a floor drain.

When it is minor and when it is urgent

Worth watching:

  • A damp patch after a big melt that dries in a day.
  • Damp walls in July with no puddles.

Call soon:

  • Water every time it rains or melts.
  • Water coming through a crack that is getting wider.
  • A musty smell or mold on wood or drywall.
  • Mortar that washes out onto the floor.

Call right away:

  • Standing water near outlets or the furnace. Do not walk in it.
  • Sewage from the floor drain. Call a plumber and keep kids and pets away.

How a wet basement usually gets fixed

The cheapest fixes come first. A good inspector starts outside.

Downspouts

Extend them so water lands well away from the house.

Grading

Build up soil so the yard slopes away from the wall.

Crack injection

Seal a single leaking crack in a poured wall.

Inside drain and sump pump

A drain along the base of the walls carries water to a pump that sends it outside. This is the common fix when water comes in at the wall and floor joint.

Outside waterproofing

Digging down to coat the wall and add a drain. It costs more, but it keeps water out of the wall.

Floor drain plug or check valve

For sewer backups, a plumber adds a device that stops flow coming back up.

What it typically costs

These are typical national ranges from published cost guides, not a quote. Many basements need only the first one or two items. See the cost guide for full jobs.

What to do before the inspection

  1. Note the timing. Write down when water shows up: after rain, after a thaw, or in humid weather.
  2. Photograph the puddle. Take a shot from far back so you can see where it starts.
  3. Walk outside in the rain. Watch where the gutters and downspouts send the water.
  4. Check the pipes. Rule out the water heater, washer hose and any dripping pipes.
  5. Move things off the floor. Put boxes on shelves so the walls are easy to see.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my basement only leak in spring?

In spring the ground is full of melted snow and rain, and it can still be frozen lower down. Water has nowhere to go but sideways, toward your wall. Many Rochester basements stay dry all summer and leak in March and April.

Water is coming up from the floor drain. Is that a foundation problem?

Usually not. That is often a sewer backup. Monroe County says open floor drains are the main path for storm backups. Call a licensed plumber about a check valve or plug, and stay out of standing water near outlets.

Can I just paint the walls with waterproof paint?

Paint can help with a little damp. It will not stop water that is pushing through. On old stone or block walls, a coating can also trap water in the wall. Fix the water outside first.

Does homeowners insurance pay for a wet basement?

Seepage through the walls is often not covered. Monroe County notes most policies do not cover sewer backups unless you add a rider. Call your agent and ask what your policy says.

Is a little water every spring a big deal?

A small puddle once a year is not an emergency. But water that comes back every year can rot wood, grow mold and wash out mortar. It is worth finding the cause before it gets worse.

How do I know if it is condensation and not a leak?

Tape a square of plastic wrap to the wall for two days. If water forms on the room side, it is humidity in the air. If it forms under the plastic, it is coming through the wall.

Water in the basement again?

Call (585) 449-9661 or send the short form with a photo of where the water comes in. A local crew will call back to set up a free inspection and a written price.

Other services

Common foundation repair problems in Rochester

Areas we serve around Rochester

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