We Don't Water-Manage, We WATERPROOF, Stopping Water Outside is REAL Waterproofing!

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The History of Great Lakes Waterproofing

Serving the Midwest Since 1978!

exterior foundation waterproofing using all-natural bentonite

Foundation and Basement Waterproofing for Over 48 Years!

The roots of Great Lakes Waterproofing started in Chicago in 1959 when the original owner started working in the basement waterproofing industry.  The industry was much different as we know it today, most waterproofing knowledge was handed down with experience.  At the time, most Midwest Waterproofing on buildings and homes consisted of digging up the foundation, repairing cracks and holes or just living with the wet basement.


With the growth of waterproofing, Great Lakes Waterproofing ended up in Grand Rapids Michigan, business greatly expanded with the popularity of finishing basements and using them for social spaces during the late 1970's.  In 1978, the company changed ownership and Great Lakes Waterproofing was born! 


With a history of exterior waterproofing, Great Lakes Waterproofing's Experience helped develop and refine exterior bentonite injections for waterproofing but we also embraced drain-tile, sump pumps and industrial wall coatings for some customers.


Over time a majority of our customers were asking for exterior bentonite waterproofing over drain tile systems, while price is a big factor, Great Lakes Waterproofing usually doesn't have to do any exterior digging or remove any wall coverings in the basement.

Using Advance Equipiment to Detect Wet Basements

Using inferred to detect basement water problems

Great Lakes Waterproofing is a leader using advanced water detection equipment to help spot problem areas in your wet basement.  Our goal is to stop water outside your basement foundation for Real Waterproofing!


The photo is from our Flir Thermography Inferred Camera, one of the leaders of this technology.  The darker areas indicate lower temperatures which could be water, The next photo will show us the answer!


We target the wet areas, most drain tile waterproofers just want to put a whole house system in at great expense to the home-owner.
Wet Basement Carpet Tack Strip

This is the baseboard and carpet tack strip from the photo above.  The carpeting has been removed to show the wet basment areas including the blackened tack strip and some staining of the trim.


Most wet basements aren't this easy, the signs of where the water is entering might be fully covered.  Using advance tools helps us narrow down the exterior points of entry so we can stop the water outside, for Real Waterproofing from Great Lakes Waterproofing.

Basement Waterproofing Projects the Other Contractors Can't Do

Exterior Bentonite Waterproofing for Basement Foundations under garages

Stopping water in room underneath Fridley MInnesota Garage Spancrete Floor

Stopping Basement Water Outside For Real Waterproofing!

While we continue to use just about every basement waterproofing method, a majority of our work is exterior waterproofing using bentonite products.  For most customers the reason is simple, STOPPING WATER OUTSIDE OF YOUR FOUNDATION or BASEMENT IS THE BEST WAY.  Homeowners like bentonite waterproofing since it stops the water and it's usually a fraction of the price of a drain tile system with sump pump.  All natural ingredients means there's no harm to the environment.


Customers like hospitals, schools and apartment buildings find stopping water on the outside foundation doesn't require them to stop working inside or moving out of their apartment.  Our equipment doesn't make a lot of noise and we can keep it away from foot traffic in most cases.


Over time we've become the go-to company for exterior waterproofing, we have customers nation-wide that have used the Great Lakes Exterior Waterproofing System.

Drain tile installtion

Drain Tile Installation with Sump Pump in Wet Minneapolis Minnesota Basement

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