Open Space Construction

Exterior Foundation Waterproofing & Drainage Services

Protect your home at the source with professional excavation, foundation wall preparation, waterproofing membrane installation, drainage correction, and weeping tile solutions built for real site conditions.

Exterior foundation waterproofing Weeping tile and drainage correction Foundation crack and entry-point repair Tight access and side-yard solutions
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Leak repair and water control Exterior systems designed to help stop water from building up against the foundation wall.
Drainage correction Weeping tile, clean stone, grading review, and side-yard drainage improvements where required.
New and existing foundations Waterproofing solutions for both problem homes and new construction before final backfill.
Exterior Waterproofing

Stop water before it reaches your basement or foundation wall

When water starts collecting against a foundation, it can follow cracks, joints, penetrations, and weak points until it finds a way inside. The longer that moisture sits against the wall, the more risk there is for seepage, dampness, staining, and ongoing water pressure around the structure.

Exterior foundation waterproofing addresses the problem from the outside. That means exposing the affected wall, preparing the surface properly, repairing vulnerable areas, installing the waterproofing system, protecting it with dimple membrane or drainage board, and improving the drainage path at the footing where needed.

For homeowners dealing with recurring water issues, the real solution is often outside the wall rather than inside the basement.

Common signs of foundation water problems

  • Water entering the basement during or after heavy rain
  • Damp, stained, or cold foundation walls
  • Standing water near the house or under a deck
  • Wet side yards that stay saturated
  • Musty odours and repeated moisture issues
  • Visible foundation cracks or vulnerable wall joints
  • Drainage failure at the footing area
  • New foundation walls that need protection before backfill
Our Services

Professional waterproofing and foundation drainage solutions

Every property is different, but the goal is the same: protect the structure, control water movement, and reduce the amount of moisture building up around the foundation.

Exterior Foundation Waterproofing

Excavation to expose the wall, full surface preparation, waterproof coating or membrane application, and protection with dimple board or drainage board.

Weeping Tile / Footing Drain Work

Installation or replacement of drainage pipe at the footing area using clean drainage stone and a practical drainage layout based on site conditions.

Foundation Crack Repair

Repair of known trouble areas such as cracks, transitions, penetrations, and weak points before the waterproofing assembly is completed.

Drainage Correction Around the Home

Side-yard drainage improvement, discharge redirection, grading correction, and water-control measures to help move water away from the house.

Tight Access Waterproofing

Waterproofing solutions for narrow side yards, fence lines, deck areas, and restricted-access conditions where the work still needs to be done properly.

New Foundation Protection

Exterior membrane and dimple-board installation for new foundations before final backfill to help protect the wall system from day one.

Our Process

What a complete exterior waterproofing job usually includes

Proper waterproofing is more than brushing on a coating. The system works best when the wall, membrane, protection layer, and drainage all work together.

01

Site Review

We assess the drainage path, water buildup, affected areas, visible cracks, site access, and the most likely source of the problem.

02

Excavation

The wall is exposed to the required depth so the repair can be completed from the exterior side where the water issue begins.

03

Wall Preparation

The foundation surface is cleaned and prepared so repairs, coatings, and membrane products can bond correctly.

04

Repair Work

Cracks, gaps, transitions, and vulnerable penetrations are addressed before the full exterior waterproofing system is installed.

05

Waterproofing Installation

A waterproofing barrier is applied to help block direct moisture contact against the foundation wall.

06

Protection Layer

Dimple board or drainage board is installed over the waterproofed wall to help protect the system and create a drainage path down the face.

07

Drainage Stone and Weeping Tile

Where required, footing-level drainage is installed or upgraded with clean stone to help move water away from the base of the foundation.

08

Backfill and Restoration

The area is restored as cleanly as site conditions allow, with attention to grading, drainage performance, and final appearance.

Why Exterior Waterproofing Works

Water management starts outside the wall

A complete exterior waterproofing system is designed to handle water in layers so moisture is controlled before it has the chance to force its way into the foundation wall or basement space.

  • Repair weak points where water can enter
  • Install a barrier against direct moisture contact
  • Protect the membrane from damage during backfill
  • Create a drainage path down the wall face
  • Relieve water buildup at the footing area
  • Reduce pressure against the foundation wall

What makes a complete system

Excavation to the source

Exterior repairs work best when the affected wall area is properly exposed rather than patched from inside alone.

Wall repair before membrane

Cracks, penetrations, and vulnerable areas should be addressed before the waterproofing layer is installed.

Drainage matters as much as coating

Membrane alone is not the whole answer. Water still needs a controlled drainage path down and away from the foundation.

Final grade still matters

Surface water should continue moving away from the house after the work is complete whenever site conditions allow.

Project Gallery

Real waterproofing, drainage, and foundation protection work

From existing homes with drainage issues to new foundations before backfill, these photos show the type of work involved in proper exterior waterproofing.

Standing water under deck near foundation before waterproofing and drainage correction
Standing water near the structure before drainage correction and waterproofing work.
Backyard foundation area before waterproofing work
Backyard area before foundation waterproofing and drainage improvement.
Foundation wall cleaning and preparation before waterproofing membrane installation
Foundation wall cleaning and preparation before membrane installation.
Close-up of foundation waterproofing coating and dimple board
Close-up of waterproof coating and dimple membrane protection.
Drainage trench with gravel installed along foundation
Drainage trench with clean stone installed along the foundation line.
Foundation drainage trench overview with gravel base
Overview of the drainage layout along the footing area.
Close view of gravel base for foundation drainage trench
Gravel base detail used for foundation drainage support.
Finished side yard drainage area with gravel
Finished side-yard drainage area after waterproofing work.
Finished side yard after waterproofing work
Restored side yard after foundation drainage and waterproofing improvements.
New build foundation waterproofing with full dimple membrane
New foundation with full exterior protection installed before backfill.
Wide angle of new build foundation waterproofing system
Wide-angle view of new foundation waterproofing and protection.
Close-up of new build foundation waterproofing membrane
Close-up detail of the installed waterproofing protection on a new build.
Side elevation of new foundation dimple membrane installation
Side elevation showing exterior membrane and drainage protection.
Tight access side yard waterproofing work
Tight-access waterproofing work in a narrow side-yard condition.
Existing Homes

Waterproofing for homes already showing moisture or drainage issues

Existing homes often come with real-world complications such as decks, fences, air-conditioning units, downspouts, narrow side yards, buried utilities, and years of water movement around the house.

That is why the right repair is not just about adding a product. It is about understanding how water is moving across the property, where it is collecting, and how to protect the foundation from repeat issues.

  • Foundation wall exposure at the affected area
  • Wall cleaning and waterproofing preparation
  • Repair of cracks and known entry points
  • Dimple membrane and protection layer installation
  • Drainage stone and footing-area water management
  • Site restoration and practical finishing
New Construction

Protection for new foundations before final backfill

New construction is the best time to install exterior protection properly. The wall is already exposed, access is easier, and the full waterproofing system can be completed before final grading and soil pressure are in place.

Proper new-foundation waterproofing helps protect the wall early and gives the structure a stronger exterior defense system from the start.

New build foundation side view with waterproofing and protection layers
Why Choose Open Space Construction

Experienced waterproofing work built around drainage and site conditions

Foundation waterproofing is serious work around the structure of a home. It requires practical planning, proper sequencing, careful excavation, and a system that manages water rather than simply hiding the problem.

Clear scope and practical solutions

Every project is reviewed based on the actual site condition, access, drainage pattern, and the area where water is building up around the home.

Real drainage-focused approach

Proper waterproofing is not just about coating a wall. Water pressure, footing drainage, membrane protection, and surface flow all matter.

Built for tight and difficult sites

Narrow side yards, fenced conditions, deck areas, and restricted access often require careful planning to get the job done properly.

Strong fit for existing-home repairs

Many waterproofing jobs involve a combination of excavation, drainage correction, wall repair, and restoration around an already-finished property.

Clean finish after the work

The goal is not only to protect the foundation, but also to leave the area restored as neatly and practically as site conditions allow.

Protection for new foundations too

New builds benefit from proper waterproofing before backfill, when the entire exterior wall system can still be protected cleanly and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers homeowners usually ask before starting waterproofing work

Do you have to excavate all the way down?
In many exterior waterproofing jobs, the affected wall area needs to be exposed down to the footing level so the repair and drainage work can be completed where the water issue actually begins.
Is membrane or coating alone enough?
Not always. The best-performing exterior systems usually combine wall repair, waterproofing, protection, and drainage so water can move down and away rather than collect against the foundation.
Can waterproofing be done in a narrow side yard or around a deck?
Yes. Tight-access conditions can often still be handled, but the final scope depends on available width, utilities, fences, existing structures, and overall access to the work area.
Do you repair foundation cracks too?
Yes. If cracks or known entry points are part of the issue, they can be repaired as part of the exterior waterproofing scope before the membrane and protection system are completed.
What is the difference between drainage work and waterproofing?
Waterproofing protects the foundation wall from moisture entry. Drainage work helps control where the water goes so it does not build up around the base of the home. On many jobs, both are important.
Will the area be restored after the work?
Yes. Restoration is typically part of the project plan, although the exact finish depends on the original condition, access, and the drainage or grading requirements of the site.
Can you help if the problem is also caused by poor surface drainage?
Yes. If water is collecting because of grading, side-yard saturation, or bad discharge near the house, those conditions should be reviewed as part of the overall solution.
Do you also waterproof new construction foundations?
Yes. New construction waterproofing before final backfill is one of the best opportunities to protect the foundation wall system properly from the start.
Request an Inspection

Need to fix a leaking foundation wall or drainage problem?

Whether you are dealing with seepage, standing water, side-yard drainage issues, or a new foundation that needs exterior protection, Open Space Construction can review the site and recommend the right scope for the job.

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