Common questions about basement waterproofing
- What can I do when my neighbor discharges sump pump water onto my property?
- What is a French drain and how do I know if my yard needs one installed?
- What is a sump pump and what factors should you consider when buying a new system?
- What is an LED sump pump?
- What is efflorescence?
- What is it like to live in a house with a sump pump in the basement? I’m looking at a house with regular water infiltration.
- What is membrane waterproofing? How does it work?
- What is the average cost of hiring a professional water damage company?
- What is the best method for waterproofing inside basement walls to keep a basement dry?
- What is the best way to reduce moisture in my basement?
- What is the best way to waterproof a basement in Toronto?
- What is the best way to waterproof exterior walls when remodeling?
Exeter basement waterproofing — local context
If your Exeter basement keeps taking on water, the cause is geography, not bad luck. Exeter sits at the head of tide: per Wikipedia (Squamscott River), the freshwater Exeter River turns into the tidal, 6-mile Squamscott River downtown and runs to Great Bay — a tidal, estuarine high water table that pushes against foundations near the river. The USDA-NRCS Official Series Description names a soil after that river: the Squamscott series is "very deep, poorly drained" soil in "low-lying, concave positions" — exactly the ground that holds water against a wall. The Town of Exeter also maps Rockingham County coastal floodplain risk, not just inland. We fix this from the inside: 603 installs the Forever Dry System — a full-perimeter interior drain, a sump per 120 ft, a wall vapor barrier and a dehumidifier — not exterior excavation, which Nik considers a ~2–3-year patch. Basement waterproofing runs $3,000–$30,000.
What a recent customer said
"With the crazy wet weather and super high water table this year. Had water just seeping in through the Wall/Floor Joint in basement, that would just NOT stop. Have not had this type of issues in the 30+ years at our house... was leaking in at several points along a 30ft wall. 603 Basement was just a bit more. BUT they put in their patented Channel solution along the entire base of the wall, along with Sump Pump And let me tell you.. IT really worked... Would HIGHLY!! recommend 603 Basement Solutions." — John Weber, Google review
Frequently asked questions
Why does Exeter have such wet basements?
Exeter is the head of tide — downtown is where the freshwater Exeter River becomes the tidal Squamscott River that runs to Great Bay (Wikipedia, Squamscott River). That tidal, estuarine setting keeps the water table high near the river. On top of that, the USDA-NRCS Squamscott soil series — named for the river — is officially "very deep, poorly drained" soil that collects in low, concave spots, so groundwater sits against foundation walls.
Is Exeter in a flood zone?
Exeter is mapped for coastal flood risk, not just inland river flooding. The Town of Exeter holds public open houses on the updated FEMA "Rockingham County Coastal Floodplain Mapping Study" and participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (exeternh.gov). Because the town is tidal at the Squamscott, its flood exposure is coastal — a real distinction from a purely inland town. We don't quote a specific zone or base flood elevation for your address; confirm that with the Town.
Do I need a permit for basement waterproofing in Exeter?
Building permits for residential and commercial construction in town are issued by the Town of Exeter Building Department at 10 Front Street, Exeter, NH 03833 (603-773-6112), with Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Douglas Eastman (exeternh.gov). We'll tell you whether your interior drainage scope needs one and coordinate with that office.



