Olivieri and Son specialize in waterproofing foundations by digging down to the footer and then thoroughly sealing the wall before backfilling

By Laura Briedis

After spending the past months in our backyards enjoying the pleasant spring and summer weather we relish in Northeast Ohio, we soon will be stacking up our patio chairs and heading back inside.

For many families, this time of transitioning back indoors means heading down to the basement to find extra hangout space to gather with family and friends. So now is the time to make sure your basement is dry.

“Nobody wants to find out their basement walls or foundation have water damage,” says Mark Olivieri, the son in Olivieri and Son, specialists in basement waterproofing. “But not knowing about a problem doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

“It’s like a medical condition,” says Mark. “The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to fix before it becomes a major problem.”

Left uncorrected, cracked or bowed basement walls could lead to major headaches like cracked walls upstairs and shifting door and window openings, not to mention the accumulation of unhealthy mold and mildew, Mark says.

And there is another important reason to have your basement walls fixed. “A leaking basement not only can quickly ruin the foundation of your home, but it also lessens the possibility of selling your home for its true value,” he suggests.

“You might not notice the tiny leaks in your basement when the ground is dry right now,” he says. “But if there is any way to get into your basement, water will find it once it starts raining. Fall is the ideal time for us to come out and inspect your basement and sewers. We can give you a no-cost inspection so you have a better idea of how bad the problem is. Even if you don’t need anything done immediately, you’ll at least know where you stand and what to watch out for in the future.”

If you do need repairs, Mark and his dad, Rocco, will do them right—from the outside, Mark promises.

“Most companies waterproof from inside the basement,” he says. “That isn’t the best way to do it. It is only a bandage covering up the problem. We work from the outside. That’s because the key is to stop the water from coming in, not to re-channel it after it’s already in.”

Rocco and Mark understand the waterproofing process. They’ve been working together fixing basements since 1981.

They begin the waterproofing process by excavating your leaky wall all the way to the footer. Then, they wash your foundation to clean the debris and highlight any cracks where moisture may be entering. Those cracks are patched and sealed with Waterplug Sealant. For added protection, they coat the end wall from the footer to grade with Thoroseal Sealant.

“Rolling a tar rubber emulsion from footer to grade is the final step in preventing moisture from entering your wall,” Mark says. “For proper water drainage, we install four-inch, heavy-duty, perforated PVC along the footer. We will also provide a clean-out on each wall that is excavated.”

The excavation is backfilled with premium wash gravel to direct water to the drain tile. The project is completed with a layer of topsoil—not dirt—to promote the healthy growth of plants.

“When we finish, you will hardly even know we were there,” Mark says. “We respect your home, gardens and lawn, and we keep them clean and professional. And our process is probably stronger than the steps the original builder implemented.”

Olivieri & Son specializes in basement waterproofing, foundation straightening and rebuilding, and sewer inspections. To schedule a free estimate, call 440-342-6844. Check out BasementAndWaterproofing.com for more details.