We all want the work we hire contractors to do to come with a warranty. Makes sense, right? Why else have the work done if you are not confident it will work or even last? The same mentality comes into play regarding Basement Waterproofing in your home. The confusing thing is that in different parts of the country, basement waterproofing warranties are different, for many different reasons.
Foundation Crack Warranties
As we have discussed previously, there are 3 ways water comes in the foundation. The warranties for each vary, especially in different areas of the country. Let’s start with the most common issue, Foundation Cracks.
Most commonly, a 10-15 year basement waterproof warranty is held on Foundation Cracks around the country, with the sole exception of the Chicago area. In Chicago, Lifetime Warranties are offered for Foundation Cracks. Why is the warranty for Foundation Cracks in Chicago better than other areas in the country? It’s simple. These repair techniques did not travel with the internet age, they were pre-internet. So, as word and technique traveled, just like the telephone game, it also changed a bit. It takes time for ideas and new techniques to travel, so it is not uniform across the country.
Drain Tile Warranties
With Drain Tile Systems, we have less variation in the warranties. Most commonly, you will see a 30-year Warranty or a Lifetime Warranty. The Chicago area does Lifetime Warranties on Drain Tile Systems, while much of the rest of the country does 30.
There Chicago goes again, providing the strongest basement waterproof warranties. The fact of the matter is that if you install this plastic pipe correctly, embed in gravel, under your concrete floor, the Drain Tile System will always work for the life of the foundation. Plastic has a decomposition time of 10,000 years, so that foundation will be dry for a long time!
Over-The-Top Foundation Warranties
When dealing with seepage over-the-top of the foundation, as spoken about before, multiple things usually need to happen in order to stop the water. Because of this, warranties for Over-The-Top Seepage are generally not given out.
With multiple sources of water possible, it is important to tackle all problems to ensure the water stops, and many of those do not have anything to do with the Foundation itself.
In A Nutshell
- Foundation Cracks are Warrantied most commonly for 10-15 years, or for the Lifetime of the Foundation.
- Drain Tile Systems are Warrantied most commonly for 30 years, or for the Lifetime of the Foundation.
- Over-The-Top Seepage solutions are most commonly NOT warrantied.
If you have any questions, be sure to contact a reputable, professional company in your area. And, as always, remember:
“Not Everything’s Better When Wet”
