Basement Waterproofing FAQ for Philadelphia, PA
Owners of rowhouses, twins and singles in Philadelphia, PA keep asking about the same things: wet walls, water rising through a floor drain, what work costs, how to check a contractor and what this website does. Philadelphia PA Basement Waterproofing is a free referral service that hands each request to one independent local contractor.
Questions and Answers
These answers are general; the contractor who sees your basement can speak to your own house.
Is this website a waterproofing contractor?
No. It is a free referral service. It isn't registered as a Pennsylvania home improvement contractor and has no contractor license from the City of Philadelphia, so it never offers, agrees to or carries out basement work. When you send the form, your details go to one independent local contractor. That business reaches out, visits if you want it to, writes the estimate and does any job you choose to hire it for.
Will I be charged for sending a request?
No. Homeowners never pay this site anything, now or later. Its income can come from contractors who buy advertising, which is offered as a free trial for the moment. Nobody who sends a request receives money, a gift card, a discount or any other reward.
Why do so many Philadelphia basements take on water?
Much of it comes down to age. DVRPC figures drawn from Census data put the typical home's build year around 1949, with roughly 40% built before 1940, and about 56% of homes are attached houses, mostly rowhouses. Many early-1900s rows sit on rubble-stone party-wall foundations whose mortar wears away over decades, and the City has urged owners of those homes to look over their basements for water every year (Inquirer, 2014, quoting L&I).
Water came up through my floor drain. Is that a waterproofing problem?
Usually not. Combined sewers serve about 60% of Philadelphia, according to PWD, so rain and household wastewater travel in the same pipes, and a heavy storm can push that mix back up a floor drain. While the water is still on the floor, contact PWD's 24/7 Water Emergency Hotline at (215) 685-6300. Outside the city, report it to your own township or sewer authority instead.
What is PWD's Basement Backup Protection Program?
Run by the Philadelphia Water Department, it puts in a backwater valve for eligible owners at no charge, plus downspout changes where needed. Owners generally need a paid-up water bill or payment agreement, no open violations, a sound sewer lateral and reachable plumbing. The program's contractors stand behind the install for one year, after which the valve is yours to maintain. Ask PWD at (215) 685-4901; this site has no part in it.
How much does basement waterproofing cost?
According to Fixr's national data for 2026, most projects fall between about $3,000 and $10,000, with $5,000 as a rough average. The same source lists interior perimeter drains at $40 to $120 per linear foot, sump pump installation at $600 to $2,500 and epoxy crack injection at $250 to $1,000 per crack. These are national guideposts; your own number comes from a contractor's written estimate.
How do I look up a contractor before hiring?
Pennsylvania makes home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General, and each must show its number, starting with "PA", on ads, estimates and contracts. Check that number with the Attorney General's online Home Improvement Contractor search or at 1-888-520-6680. Inside the city, confirm the firm's L&I license or HIC filing through "Find a licensed contractor" or 311 ((215) 686-8686 from outside Philadelphia).
What belongs in a written contract?
The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act calls for a signed, written contract on any job above $500. It should list the contractor's registration number, when work starts and finishes, what will be done, the full price and a notice explaining your right to cancel. For work priced above $5,000, a deposit is generally capped at a third of the total (special-order materials aside), and the contractor can't take money before you sign.
Can I cancel after signing?
Generally, yes, for a short window. A home improvement contract can usually be cancelled within 3 business days of signing. A door-to-door sale of $25 or more can generally be cancelled within 3 full business days under the state's consumer protection law. Penalties are higher when the person cheated is 60 or older. Send any cancellation in writing and keep a copy.
Does homeowners insurance cover a wet basement?
Often it doesn't. A lot of policies skip sewer backups unless you bought a separate endorsement, and slow seepage through walls is a common exclusion. Read your own policy, then ask your insurer or agent how it applies to your house. This site has no dealings with insurers and gives no advice about coverage.
Ask a Local Contractor
Have a question only someone standing in your basement can answer? Send the short estimate form, and one independent local contractor will be in touch.