What a plumber does and what a waterproofing contractor does
Honest scoping saves money. Hiring the wrong trade means paying twice.
| Problem | Plumber | Waterproofing contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Sump pump failed or missing | Yes. Install, repair, replace, add battery backup | May install as part of drain tile |
| Floor drain backing up | Yes. Cable, camera and backwater valve | No |
| Window well flooding | Drain connection and pump | Well liner, cover and grading |
| Water through foundation cracks | No. We can rule out plumbing leaks first | Yes. Crack repair, membrane, exterior excavation |
| Interior perimeter drain system | Sometimes, sump connection only | Yes. Cutting floor, drain tile, sump basin |
| Yard sloping toward the house | Advice only | Regrading by an excavator or landscaper |
If you are not sure which side of the table you are on, start with a plumber. We can check the lines and the pump, and we will say plainly when you need a foundation specialist.
Finding the source of basement water
Timing and location tell you most of what you need to know.
- 1
Note when it appears
Water after rain or snowmelt suggests drainage or groundwater. Water at any time suggests a leak.
- 2
Check the meter
Shut off all water in the house. If the meter dial still moves, a supply line is leaking.
- 3
Look at the drains
Water bubbling up at a floor drain after heavy use points to the sewer line.
- 4
Look at the outside
Gutters, downspouts and soil that tilts toward the foundation send water to the wall.
A leak that runs even in dry weather may be a plumbing issue, and our leak detection service can find it without tearing out walls.
Plumbing fixes that keep a basement drier
These are the parts of waterproofing that a licensed plumber actually handles.
Sump pit and pump
A pit that collects groundwater and a pump that sends it outside. A check valve stops water running back in.
Discharge line
The pipe that carries pump water away. It should end well away from the foundation and not tie into the sewer.
Window well drains
A drain at the bottom of each well, tied to the sump or to daylight, stops wells from filling like buckets.
Backwater valve
Where permitted, a valve in the sewer line stops sewage from rising through floor drains.
Floor drain and trap
A dry trap lets sewer gas in. A clogged drain overflows. Both are simple to fix.
Not sure where the water comes from?
Describe when it appears. Timing tells us whether it is plumbing, groundwater or surface runoff.
Grading and gutters: what you can do first
Much basement water starts above ground. These cost little and often help.
Quick wins at home
- Extend downspouts several feet from the wall
- Clean gutters before spring runoff
- Add soil so it slopes away from the house
- Keep window wells clear of debris
When to bring in a contractor
- Cracks leaking in the foundation wall
- Water at the floor and wall joint
- A bowed or leaning wall
- Repeated flooding after fixing drainage
Stormwater and sandbags in Midvale
Midvale City says residents are responsible for protecting their own property in floods. If a storm is coming, Salt Lake County gives out free sandbags at the Flood Control Sandbag Shed, 604 West 6960 South in Midvale, open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring a shovel.
Sandbags help against surface water at a door or window well, but they do nothing for groundwater that rises through the floor. Report spills or illegal discharge into a storm drain to Midvale Public Works at 801-567-7235. If a sump pump is pumping oil or chemicals, stop and call.
What affects the cost of basement water control
Sump work is a small job. Foundation work is a large one.
Standard homeowner policies usually exclude groundwater seepage and sewer backup unless you add an endorsement. Ask your agent before the next storm, not after.
Other services that overlap
If a floor drain keeps backing up, a drain cleaning visit with a camera can tell you if the sewer lateral is at fault. For a sump that runs constantly or stopped working, see sump pump repair.
Basement water questions from Midvale homeowners
We handle the plumbing side, including sump pumps, window well drains, floor drains, backwater valves and discharge lines. Foundation crack repair, membranes and exterior excavation are for a waterproofing contractor.
Standing water after rain or snowmelt, damp floors at the wall joint or a musty smell suggest groundwater. A pit and pump move the water out. We can look at the basement and tell you whether it fits.
Salt Lake County runs the Flood Control Sandbag Shed at 604 West 6960 South in Midvale. It is free, open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and you need to bring your own shovel.
A battery backup keeps pumping when the power drops, but only for a limited time. Check how long the battery lasts under real load, and test it every few months.
Shut off all water and watch your meter. If the dial moves, you have a plumbing leak. If it stays still, the water is likely from outside, drainage or groundwater.
Not with plumbing. We can rule out a leaking pipe first, and refer you to a foundation specialist if the crack is the source.