Basement waterproofing in Waterloo, Iowa
Help for basements on both sides of the Cedar River, from older east side blocks to south Waterloo and the newer west edge.
Waterloo had 67,314 residents at the 2020 census, making it one of Iowa's largest cities and the seat of Black Hawk County. The Cedar River flows southeast through town and splits it into east and west sides. Its long history as a manufacturing center, with tractor production going back to 1893, left a large stock of older homes alongside newer neighborhoods.
How has the sewer consent decree affected basements?
In 2015 the city settled Clean Water Act claims over sanitary sewer overflows, including sewage backups into homes and businesses. The consent decree covers roughly 400 miles of sanitary sewer and requires Waterloo to finish its footing drain removal program and its remaining sewer work by the end of 2032. Nearly 1,000 homes in the first target area disconnected their foundation drains and installed sump pumps in 2015, according to trade press coverage. For those homes, a reliable pump and a good outdoor discharge line now do the work the sewer used to.
What about south Waterloo?
A University of Iowa student design team studied the Olympic and Sunnyside area and the 8th and Locke area, where sump water was flowing onto streets and neighbors' lots and causing ice and algae. Their report proposed curbside drain tile for pumps to tie into. If you live there, ask the city whether any discharge connection is available on your street.
City contacts
- Waterloo Building Department, 715 Mulberry Street, 2nd floor; permits are applied for online.
- The department says that when you hire a contractor, the contractor should obtain the required permits.
Common questions
Was my Waterloo house part of the footing drain program?
Check with the City of Waterloo, and look in the basement for a sump pit added in recent years. A waterproofing company can also trace where your footing drains go now.
Who issues basement-related permits in Waterloo?
The Waterloo Building Department at 715 Mulberry Street. Ask your contractor which permits apply and confirm they'll pull them.
Services in Waterloo
- Interior drain tileA perforated pipe under the slab along the walls that collects seepage and carries it to a sump pit.
- Sump pumps and backupsNew pumps, replacements, battery backups, alarms and outdoor discharge lines.
- Foundation crack repairSealing leaking cracks in poured walls and repairing leaking joints in block foundations.
- Exterior waterproofingDigging to the footing, sealing the outside of the wall and adding a footing drain.
- Window wells, downspouts and gradingWindow well drains and covers, buried downspout lines and regrading that keep surface water off the foundation.
Nearby areas
Damp carpet along the wall, or a sump pump that cycles all night?
Call and a waterproofing company that works in Waterloo and Cedar Falls will come take a look.