Foundation excavation
The affected wall is safely exposed to the required depth with utilities, structures, access and soil handling planned in advance.
Membranes, footing drains & exterior repair
Exterior foundation waterproofing and excavation in Greater Burlington
Exterior waterproofing exposes the outside of the foundation so cracks, deteriorated masonry, failed coatings and drainage can be repaired before water reaches the basement. It is often the most direct approach for a known exterior wall problem when access, depth and site conditions make excavation practical.
No phone call needed.
What this service includes
A complete exterior waterproofing job can include excavation, wall cleaning and repair, a waterproof membrane, protection or drainage board, footing-drain work, washed stone, backfill and final grading. Paint or tar alone is not a complete drainage system.
Common reasons homeowners call
Problems this service can fix
One accessible foundation wall leaks repeatedly
Exterior coatings are missing or failing
A footing drain is damaged or blocked
Masonry needs repair from the outside
Interior demolition would be especially disruptive
Water collects against the foundation after storms
Repairs and systems
Repairs and systems
Wall and crack repair
Open cracks, mortar joints, penetrations and damaged wall areas are repaired before the waterproof layer is applied.
Waterproof membrane
A compatible exterior membrane creates a continuous barrier across the prepared foundation wall.
Drainage and protection board
A protective drainage layer moves water downward while shielding the membrane during backfill.
Footing drain replacement
Drain pipe, stone, filter fabric and a reliable outlet are installed or repaired at the base of the wall when needed.
Backfill and grading
The excavation is backfilled and the surface is shaped so rainfall continues away from the home.
Matching the option to the condition
Exterior waterproofing steps
Exterior work is a sequence. Each step depends on the one before it.
| Step | Purpose | What to confirm first |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation excavation | Expose the wall | Access and utilities |
| Wall and crack repair | Prepare the surface | Wall condition before membrane |
| Waterproof membrane | Keep water out of the wall | Coverage and terminations |
| Drainage and protection board | Move water away from the wall | Where the water goes |
| Footing drain and backfill | Carry water to an outlet | A working outlet and finished grade |
Exterior work is the most disruptive option and the one with the longest life when the walls are sound, so it pays to confirm two things before committing: that the wall can be prepared properly once exposed, and that the drain at the footing has a real place to send water. Ask what happens to landscaping, walks and utilities, and who restores them.
- 01
Which wall leaks and under what weather
- 02
Excavation depth and soil conditions
- 03
Buried utilities, decks, steps and landscaping
- 04
Foundation material and wall condition
- 05
Footing-drain location and outlet
- 06
Safe water discharge and final grade
Your estimate
What is included in the plan
Access
Porches, driveways, utilities, neighboring property and steep grades can make full excavation impractical or change the equipment required.
Wall preparation
A membrane depends on a sound, properly prepared wall, and loose mortar and deteriorated masonry must be addressed first.
Drain destination
New drain pipe is only useful when it has a legal, maintainable outlet that will not send water back toward the home.
Surface restoration
The estimate should state what happens to lawns, plantings, walks, decks and other disturbed areas.
Already have an estimate?
Compare the complete exterior foundation waterproofing scope.
Sources and Vermont specifics
Grade first, then membrane
The model residential code asks for ground that falls at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet away from a foundation, with surface water diverted to an approved collection point. That is the cheapest waterproofing there is, and any exterior excavation should end with the grade corrected, not restored to whatever it was. Around Burlington, sandy deposits drain readily and glacial till is dense and poorly drained, so the same street can hold different soils on either side of a property line.
Ask an exterior waterproofing contractor which soil was found in the trench, how the backfill will be chosen, where the footing drain outlets and how the finished grade will be measured. A membrane on a wall that sits in poorly drained backfill is only one layer of a system, and the written scope should name the others.
Sources: InterNACHI, Foundation Fundamentals: IRC R401.3 drainage; UVM PLACE Program, Burlington surficial geology. Checked September 26, 2026.
Common questions
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing FAQs
Is exterior waterproofing always better than an interior drain?
No. It blocks or drains water outside, but excavation may be unnecessary, inaccessible or disproportionately disruptive. The better choice depends on the actual entry path, wall condition, access and goals for the space.
How long does exterior waterproofing last?
Service life depends on preparation, materials, drainage, backfill and future site conditions. The proposal should identify the membrane system, drainage details, maintenance and written warranty.
Can you waterproof a stone foundation from outside?
Often, but stone and mortar condition determine how the wall is prepared and repaired. Some older walls need careful masonry work and drainage rather than a membrane applied over unstable material.