Basement Waterproofing for Old Lakeshore Homes
Manitowoc County is full of century-old homes sitting on stone and block foundations that were never meant to stay dry by modern standards. A local contractor partner seals them up properly — inside, outside, or both.
Old foundations leak. That's what they do.
Why lakeshore basements take on water
- Interior & exterior systems
- Free basement assessments
- Stone foundation specialists
Our Waterproofing Services
Find where the water's getting in, then shut the door on it for good.
Interior Drainage Systems
Perimeter drains and sump basins installed inside the basement floor. Catches water at the wall-floor joint where most of it enters.
Exterior Waterproofing
Foundation excavated, sealed, and wrapped with drainage board from the outside. The most thorough fix — stops water before it touches the wall.
Foundation Crack Repair
Cracks injected and sealed so they stop weeping every spring. Structural cracks get an honest engineering referral, not a sales pitch.
Sump Pump Installation
Primary pumps plus battery backups sized for your water table. Near the lake, a backup isn't optional — it's the whole point.
Grading & Drainage Correction
Soil regraded and downspouts extended so water flows away from the house. Sometimes the cheapest fix is just moving dirt.
Wall Sealants & Vapor Barriers
Sealants and barriers that cut dampness and musty air. Makes the basement usable space instead of a cave you avoid.
Keeping Basements Dry, Building Trust Slowly
We're new to waterproofing on the Lakeshore, so this section is empty for now — we'll say so outright. Basement work is invasive and expensive, which is exactly why we'll never invent a problem to sell a system. Real reviews will appear here as local basements stay dry through their first spring thaw.
How Waterproofing Works
Basement Assessment
A contractor partner inspects walls, floor, and exterior grading to find every water entry point.
System Recommendation
You get the right fix for your foundation type — interior, exterior, or drainage — with a written price.
Install & Verify
The system goes in, gets water-tested where possible, and the basement is left clean.
Service Areas
Waterproofing work runs west from Manitowoc and Two Rivers through Kiel to Fond du Lac and Ripon, and south through Mishicot, Reedsville, and Valders to Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Plymouth, and Kohler.
Basement flooding right now?
Active flooding needs pumping first, waterproofing second. Call for help triaging it in the right order.
Call (920) 470-2542Get Your Basement Assessed in Manitowoc
Book a free assessment — pinpoint where the water's coming from.
Get Free EstimateFrequently Asked Questions
Yes — stone foundations are the leakiest kind, but interior drainage systems handle them well. It's one of the most common jobs in Manitowoc's older neighborhoods.
Exterior stops water before it enters and is the most complete fix, but costs more and requires excavation. Interior systems manage water that gets in. Your assessment will recommend based on your foundation and budget.
Interior systems usually don't; exterior excavation often does in Lakeshore municipalities. Your contractor partner handles permits as part of the job.
It manages water that reaches the pit, but without drainage directing water there, it's a lonely pump in a wet basement. Pumps work best as part of a system.
Horizontal cracks, stair-step patterns in block, and walls bowing inward deserve a structural look. Vertical hairline cracks are usually just water entry points — common and fixable.
Yes, though finished walls may need partial removal to install interior drainage. It's disruptive but doable — and better than watching finished walls grow mold.
A dry basement absolutely helps at sale time — it's one of the first things buyers and inspectors flag. Documentation of the system installed is worth keeping.
Request a Free Estimate
Call Us
Service Area
Dry basements for Lakeshore homes, old and new.
Quick Response
Assessments typically within the week.
Free Estimates
Free assessments with written recommendations.