Oh, I fully understand. The cost and mess is going to be huge

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Moderator Post (s) for this thread: > Properly done, yes they do. You have to remove the water by Bruno1949 on 03/10/2011

but if you have a serious water infiltration problem it HAS to be done. You can pretty much kiss any plantings within 6 feet of the foundation good-bye but it's either that or swimming in your basement. If done carefully the shrubs can be moved, balled and burlaped, or planted somewhere else temporarily and then replanted when the work is done.

Doing it from the outside is the ONLY way to guarantee a dry basement. Just be sure the water proof membrane is installed properly. Generally it goes from about 8 inches above ground level to the footings. Normally there is a tar/acrylic base coat followed by a mesh for strength, another layer of tar/acrylic, and then a dimpled plastic membrane meant to supply the actual water proofing and water flow control to be sure the water flows down to the drain pipes instead of into the house. The drain lines have to be installed either level or slightly sloped towards either an outlet to a drainage area or to a sump pump pit to be pumped out. It depends on how your property is sloped.

A tightly woven cloth keeps dirt and debris out of the pipes and a thick layer of gravel over that allows rapid water flow to the pipes. The top foot or two can be regular dirt over more fabric so the foundation plantings can always be replanted after the work is done. Done professionally, in a year or two you won't see any signs of the damage done to keep the basement dry and solid. It's just the mess and cost to get there.

Be sure to do all you can to keep water away from the house. Extend the downspouts as far away as possible. Build up curbs or swales for the driveway or sidewalks. Anything that will keep the area around the foundation as dry as possible. It will help but it won't cure the entire problem.

Anyone that guarantees a water-proof basement with a paint or some other fix to the inside of the walls is just blowing smoke. Like I said, trying to control the water AFTER it has come through the walls is a waste of time and money because the foundation damage has already been done. Sometimes it's the best you can do but it's certainly not the proper fix.

Good luck on the work! It will be worth it in the end.