Water is one of the most common — and most damaging — threats to a home’s foundation. At Sump Daddy, we focus on protecting foundations from water intrusion through professional waterproofing systems and diagnostic inspections.

We’re not a structural foundation company — but many foundation issues start with water, and that’s our specialty. We regularly perform foundation-related work in the course of waterproofing and drainage projects. That includes inspections, minor structural repairs, crack sealing, and custom solutions for older foundations.

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What We Do

Our team handles foundation work that’s directly related to moisture management and water intrusion, including:

• Foundation Inspections – Evaluating cracks, stains, settling, and water damage
• Interior & Exterior Waterproofing – Full systems to protect block, poured concrete, or stone walls
• Crack Injection & Sealing – Flexible polyurethane and epoxy injection to stop active leaks
• Wall & Footing Drain Installation – Relieving pressure at the base of foundation walls
• Perimeter Drainage & Grading Corrections – Keeping groundwater away from the structure
• Surface Patching & Parging Repairs – Fixing minor masonry damage on exposed walls

We also assist with prep work for more extensive foundation projects, such as excavation, sealing, and drainage system installation.

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Certified Foundation Inspections

We’re certified to inspect residential foundations and understand how water, soil, slope, and structure interact. Common signs we assess include:

• Water stains or mineral buildup (efflorescence)
• Cracks in basement floors and foundation walls
• Signs of inward movement or bowing
• Damp or musty smells in basement corners
• Repeated water entry in specific zones

We take a diagnostic approach: before recommending any repair, we determine whether water is the root cause or just one of several contributing factors.

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We Focus on Water First

Most foundation issues we see in the DC area are caused by hydrostatic pressure, poor drainage, or improper grading — not structural failure. In these cases, we solve the problem with:

• Sump pump systems
• Interior French drains
• Exterior wall sealing and dimple board
• Gutter and downspout corrections
• Vapor barrier installation

If your issue requires heavy structural intervention, we’ll recommend bringing in a licensed foundation engineer — and we can coordinate that as part of a larger project if needed.

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Experience with Older Foundations

We’ve worked on homes across Petworth, Brookland, Takoma Park, Capitol Heights, and Chevy Chase, many of which have stone, brick, or mixed foundation walls built in the early 1900s. We understand how these materials age — and how to protect them from further moisture intrusion without overdoing the repair.

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Book a Free Foundation Inspection

If your foundation has visible cracks, staining, or water seepage, we’ll inspect it for free and recommend the right approach — from waterproofing and drainage improvements to light repair.
No pressure, no scare tactics — just facts, options, and long-term protection. (301)783-0033.

Exterior French Drains

Exterior French drains are one of the most effective tools for managing water before it ever reaches your foundation. At Sump Daddy, we install and repair exterior French drain systems to control runoff, reduce hydrostatic pressure, and protect homes from recurring water intrusion.

Whether you need a drain system along the outside of your foundation, or across your yard to redirect pooling water, we design solutions that work for the unique conditions of your property.

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What Is an Exterior French Drain?

An exterior French drain is a buried trench containing:

• Perforated pipe, surrounded by
• Washed gravel or stone, and wrapped in
• Drain fabric to prevent clogs from soil and roots

The trench is sloped to carry groundwater or surface runoff away from problem areas — either to daylight, a storm system, or a dry well.

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Perimeter Foundation Drains

When water presses against your basement walls from the outside, an exterior French drain can relieve that pressure and stop seepage or flooding at its source. This system is installed by:

• Excavating along the foundation wall
• Cleaning and prepping the foundation exterior
• Installing a perforated pipe at the base of the footing
• Backfilling with gravel and protective fabric
• Sealing the wall with waterproof membrane and dimple board
• Restoring the soil, grading, and landscaping

This method is more invasive than interior waterproofing but is sometimes necessary — especially for homes with finished basements or exterior leak paths.

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Yard & Landscape Drains

We also use exterior French drains in open yard areas where:

• Water pools after rain
• Slope causes runoff to collect near the home
• Side yards or alleys trap water between structures
• Lawns are saturated and slow to dry out

These yard drains are typically shallower and less complex than foundation drains but follow the same principles: collect the water, control the flow, and discharge it safely.

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Interior vs. Exterior French Drains: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Interior French Drain	Exterior French Drain
Location	Inside the basement, under slab	Outside the home, along foundation or in yard
Best For	Existing leaks or finished basements	Preventing water before it enters
Installation	Less invasive, quicker	More excavation, more disruption
Requires Sump Pump	Yes	Sometimes
Typical Use	Retrofit waterproofing	New construction or outdoor drainage

We install both systems — and will recommend the right one based on your home, soil, water source, and budget.

Learn more about our Interior French Drain Systems

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Installed Across the DC Metro Area

We’ve installed exterior drains in tight city lots, large suburban yards, and historic homes in Georgetown, Silver Spring, Brookland, Wheaton, University Park, and more.

We understand regional soil conditions, water flow patterns, and permitting issues — and we build every system to last.

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💬 Free Inspections, No-Pressure Plans

We offer free inspections to evaluate your site’s drainage challenges. We’ll explain your options — interior, exterior, or both — and give you a written proposal with no pressure to decide on the spot. (301) 783-0033.

Links – https://www.concretenetwork.com/ https://archive.epa.gov/water/archive/web/html/road_runoff.html