Interior French Drain System + Sump Pump + Exterior Grading and Gutter Management Experts
The Hidden Cost of Cheap
Basement Waterproofing in New Jersey
Not all basement waterproofing companies in New Jersey install systems the right way. Many contractors lure homeowners with an unbelievably low waterproofing quote, only to cut corners during installation.
Real NJ Homeowner Experience:
We quoted a family $10,400 for a complete basement waterproofing system with French drains and a sump pump installation. While we weren’t the highest bid, another company promised to do the job for just $4,000. Understandably, the homeowners chose the cheaper option.
But within just a few months, problems started:
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Walls showed discoloration and water stains
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Moisture spread across the basement
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Water began seeping in again after storms
When they called the company that installed the waterproofing system, they stopped answering them. They came back to us desperate for help, but unfortunately, there was no simple fix. A failed basement waterproofing system cannot be patched or repaired. The only solution was to remove the faulty system and redo the French drain and sump pump installation correctly from the start.
We gave them a discount because we understood their frustration. Remember, cheap waterproofing always leads to expensive repairs down the road.
Cutting Corners → Clogs & Failures
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Shallow trenches, poor slope, no filter fabric: Many companies skip proper depth and filtration. Without a solid gravel base and fabric wrap, New Jersey’s fine clay soils clog perforated pipes quickly, rendering a so-called "French drain" useless.
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Wrong pipe, wrong fill, no discharge, no slope: DIY attempts often use solid—not perforated—pipe, pea gravel instead of drainage rock, and neglect proper slope or discharge points. This traps water instead of redirecting it.
Why French Drain Systems Fails
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No filter fabric or drainage rock. NJ clay soils clog pipes fast
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Missing slope or proper discharge. Water stays instead of going out
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Ignoring pump backup. Failures during storms lead to flooding
Why Proper Installation
for French Drains in NJ Matters.
Mistake
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No filter fabric or drainage rock
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Missing slope or proper discharge
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Failing to drill weep holes in block walls
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Discharge line too close to the foundation
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Shallow trenching that doesn’t reach footing
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Thin or patchy concrete cover
Why It Fails In NJ
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NJ clay soils clog pipes fast
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Water stays instead of flowing towards sump pump(s)
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Hydrostatic pressure builds, causing cracks, water intrusion and wall bowing
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Water cycles back toward the home, defeating the purpose
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Trenches that are not dug at footing level will not capture the maximum capacity of water.
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Thin and/or patchy concrete finishes are not good for durability.
We Do It Right Every Time
At Elmer Waterproofing, we deliver the full, code-compliant basement waterproofing solution:
✅ Footing-level trenches, precise slope, clean gravel + fabric.
✅ True perforated pipe wrapped in filter fabric with uninterrupted discharge.
✅ Tested sump pump systems with battery backup.
✅ Seamless concrete finish for good measure, plus a maintenance plan.
✅ Local NJ track record—no shortcuts, just long-lasting protection.
