Basement Waterproofing Services

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Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts:

(860) 598-8091

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Skilled WATERPROOFING at Your Service

Brilliant Basement Waterproofing LLC is a trusted name for basement waterproofing. If you have a finished basement that needs waterproofing, we can complete the job without demolition. We also offer waterproofing services for Old stone foundations. You can rest easy knowing your walls will be left intact.


Are there cracks on your basement walls? Please don't ignore them! They can lead to severe and costly repairs. Water can seep in through the cracks, causing damage to your walls. Reach out to our skilled team before it's too late. We can repair cracks in your basement walls and remove any standing water. Call (860) 598-8091 if in CT, RI, or MA. today for more information about our basement waterproofing.

A chart showing different types of drain systems

Professional Basement Waterproofing Services

Call us today.

Connecticut, Rhode Island,

and Massachusetts: (860) 598-8091

Our approach to basement waterproofing relies on a comprehensive custom solution tailored to the unique needs of each home individually. 


Our system is based on the same timeless principles of drainage and waterproofing. It’s the same system that building inspectors want to see—the one designed and recommended by engineers. Our hands-on experience has led us to only changing one aspect of the timeless principles while preserving the Spirit of the building code as much as possible. That key aspect is that instead of installing the external footing drain outside of the house, we install the internal footing drains within the house. With this small but significant change, we have found that all issues with the outside system are resolved. The drains stay clean and open for water to flow away into the sump pump or gravity drain easily.

What Is an Internal Footing Drain System?

A diagram of how to install a drain tile in a basement.
A diagram of a drain pipe and foundation walls

An internal footing drain system is a specialized waterproofing solution designed to manage and redirect water away from your foundation. Installed within the basement or crawlspace, our system captures water that seeps through walls and floors, channeling it into a dedicated drainage network and safely out of your home.

Key Benefits

  1. Superior Waterproofing: Keeps your basement dry year-round by intercepting water before it can pool and cause damage.
  2. Protects Structural Integrity: Prevents soil saturation and hydrostatic pressure that can lead to cracks and foundation settlement.
  3. Improves Indoor Air Quality: Reduces humidity levels, deterring mold, mildew, and musty odors for a healthier living environment.
  4. Low Maintenance

How It Works

  1. Installation: A trench is cut along the perimeter of the basement floor adjacent to the foundation walls.
  2. Drainage Channel: A perforated drain pipe surrounded by gravel is placed in the trench to collect water.
  3. Collection Point: The drain pipe leads to a sump pit equipped with a high-efficiency pump.
  4. Discharge: Water is pumped away from your foundation to a safe discharge point, such as a storm sewer or daylight exit. Sometimes, the pump can be eliminated with a gravity drain.
A picture of a sump pump in a basement.

A pump is used to collect the water from our internal footing drain system and pump it away from the house.

A drawing of a house layout of a gravity drain

A Gravity drain is a lost art for many companies today. We utilize the gravity drain principles to eliminate the sump pump, which has many advantages in your system.

Why are internal drains better than External Drains?

  • Cost-Effective: Less expensive to install and maintain than external drains, with no excavation needed.
  • Easy Access: Installed inside, allowing simple inspection and repairs without disrupting landscaping.
  • Durable: Protected by six to 10 feet of concrete on walls. The walls sit on a footing protecting them on the side. Then, a concrete cap is placed on top to almost completely surround the drain with protection from freeze-thaw cycles, roots, and soil movement for long-lasting performance.
  • Ideal for Retrofits: Perfect for existing homes, addressing water seepage effectively.
  • Efficient Water Management: Captures and redirects water with a sump pump, preventing basement flooding.


Choose internal footing drains for a reliable, affordable, and low-maintenance solution to keep your basement dry!

A pipe is laying in the dirt surrounded by rocks.

To the left is a footing drain installed on the outside that has filled with mud and dirt. An external drain is covered with 6 to 8 feet of dirt, which makes it susceptible to these types of issues.

Let’s not reinvent the wheel; things like pizza, the wheel, or the pipe are all things that have been made perfect since the beginning of time. Okay, maybe a square pizza is okay, but that’s different. Round plumbing pipes are still used in almost all drainage projects across the country every day.

The first water pipes were discovered near the Indus River in what is now India around 4000 B.C., over 6000 years ago!

A pipe is laying in the dirt next to a stone wall.

Our system utilized principles from the French Drain, an incredible design that first began to be widely adopted in 1859.

The French drain, a gravel-filled trench for water redirection, was formalized by Henry Flagg French in his 1859 book, Farm Drainage. Similar drainage systems existed in ancient cultures, but the French design became widely adopted.

A diagram showing how water runs through the rock, floods into the pipe and is carried away

Why Round Pipes Are Best for Water Flow

  • Maximum Flow Efficiency: Circular pipes offer the largest cross-sectional area for a given perimeter, allowing more water to flow with less material.
  • Reduced Friction: The smooth, curved surface minimizes turbulence and drag, ensuring smoother and faster water flow.
  • Even Pressure Distribution: Round pipes evenly spread water pressure, enhancing durability and reducing stress on the pipe walls.
  • Hydraulic Performance: Circles align with natural fluid flow patterns, minimizing energy loss and maintaining consistent velocity.
  • Strength and Practicality: Circular pipes are easy to manufacture, inherently strong, and resistant to external pressures, making them ideal for plumbing and engineering.

This is a common system used by some businesses that have attempted to reinvent the footing drain system. Notice it is much smaller and has very little flow capacity; additionally, there is very little stone used around the pipe.

A picture of a piece of metal with measurements on it.
A close up of a concrete floor with a pipe coming out of it

Our system utilizes the same round pipe that has been used for 6000 to 8000 years. We also use the French drain system, which was discovered in 1859 by Henry.

A hole in the ground next to a wall in a basement

Why Knitted-Sock Pipes for Drainage

  • Blocks Sediment: Knitted-sock geotextile prevents sand and silt clogging, ideal for sandy or silty soils.
  • Boosts Water Flow: Up to 29% higher inflow than sand-slot pipes, enhancing drainage efficiency.
  • Cost-Effective: Durable and reliable, outperforming cheaper alternatives in mixed soils.
  • Proven Performance: Studies show 12-20% better inflow and lower head loss.
  • Perfect for Tough Soils: Prevents blockages in low-clay, problematic soils.

We use a knitted sock for the reasons outlined above.

If you look closely, you can see the little slits or perforations around the pipe.

A close up of a bunch of metal pipes stacked on top of each other
Two drain pipes are sitting next to each other on a white background

Why Crushed Stone Matters in Your Footing Drain

Crushed stone is a key component in an internal footing drain system, ensuring effective water management and protecting your home from moisture damage.

Key Benefits of Crushed Stone

  • Improves Water Flow: Its porous structure allows water to flow freely into the drain pipe, preventing clogs.
  • Filters Debris: Traps soil and silt, keeping the pipe clear and reducing maintenance.
  • Protects Pipes: Acts as a barrier, shielding pipes from soil pressure and damage.
  • Boosts Durability: Enhances system longevity, saving you from costly repairs.

Our Commitment to Quality

We use high-quality, uniformly sized, and washed crushed stone to maximize permeability and durability, ensuring your drainage system performs reliably for years.

Safeguard Your Home

A well-installed footing drain with crushed stone prevents basement flooding, mold, and structural damage. Contact us today for a consultation!

Risks of Delaying Waterproofing

Failing to address basement moisture can lead to serious, costly issues:

  • Structural Damage: Prolonged water exposure weakens concrete and mortar, causing cracks, wall bowing, and foundation settlement.
  • Mold & Mildew Growth: Persistent dampness creates an ideal environment for mold, which can spread rapidly and damage building materials.
  • Poor Indoor Air Quality: Mold spores and musty odors can aggravate allergies and respiratory problems.
  • Decreased Energy Efficiency: Wet insulation and walls lose R-value, driving up heating and cooling costs.
  • Reduced Property Value: Visible water damage and mold scare away potential buyers and trigger expensive remediation demands.
A man wearing a gas mask and goggles is looking under a wooden ceiling

Waiting to install your system could result in Mold growth. Mold is very unhealthy for people, and mold can also eat away at and rot your house's framing system.

A corner of a room with a concrete floor and a white wall.
A basement with a concrete floor and a concrete wall.
A concrete floor in a basement with a furnace and air conditioner.
A person is laying concrete on the floor in a room.
A blue water tank is wrapped in plastic and hanging on a brick wall.
A water heater is sitting in a basement next to a brick wall.
A concrete floor in a basement with a concrete wall.
A basement with a vacuum cleaner on the floor.
A garage door with a concrete ramp leading to it.
A room with a dirty floor and a shelf with clothes on it.
A person is standing next to a pipe in a garage.
A drain pipe is being installed in the concrete next to a garage door.
A basement with a hole in the floor and a window.
A red bucket is sitting on the floor next to a door.
A room with a stove and a machine in it.
A concrete floor in a basement with a red car parked in the background.
A concrete floor in a garage with a concrete wall.
A car is parked in a garage next to a concrete wall.
A concrete room with a lot of boxes on the floor.
A boat is sitting in a garage next to a concrete wall.
A room with a concrete floor and a concrete wall.
A water heater is sitting in a basement next to a broom.
A very long narrow room with a lot of boxes in it.
A person is standing in a basement next to a wall.
A person is standing in a basement next to a wall.
A room with a concrete floor and a water heater in it.
A broom and a mop are sitting on the floor of a basement.
A person is standing next to a concrete wall in a basement.
A basement with a concrete wall and a drain in it.
A bucket is sitting in the middle of a flooded basement.
A basement with a hole in the floor and a couch.
A concrete floor in a basement with a white wall.
A basement under construction with concrete being poured on the floor.
A box of tools is sitting on the floor in a room next to a staircase.
A blue boiler is sitting in a basement next to a drill.
A bucket of tools is sitting on the floor next to a staircase.
A dirty basement with a lot of pipes and a vacuum cleaner.
A person is working on a concrete wall in a basement.
A concrete floor with a brick pillar in the middle of it.
A drill is sitting on the floor next to a hole in the wall.
A pipe is going through a hole in the floor of a house.
A concrete basement with a puddle of water on the floor.
A concrete basement with a plastic tarp on the floor.
A room with a concrete wall and a plastic bag on the floor
A basement with a concrete wall and a plastic tarp on the floor.
A black barrel is sitting in a basement next to a pipe.
A basement with a concrete floor and a metal pole.
A corner of a room with a brick wall and a concrete floor.
A brick wall in a basement with a hole in it
A person is standing in a basement next to a pipe.
A person is standing in a basement next to a concrete wall.
A room with a concrete wall and a concrete floor.
A shovel is sitting on the ground next to a pile of gravel.
A room with a lot of concrete on the floor and a light on the floor.
A basement with a broom and a hose on the floor
A concrete floor in a basement with a pipe and a fan
A basement with a concrete wall and gravel on the floor
A pile of gravel is on the floor next to a pipe
A hose is laying on the ground next to a brick wall.
A room with a concrete floor and a brick wall.
A yellow broom is sitting on the floor in a basement.
A room with a lot of wires and buckets on the floor.
A bunch of tools are sitting on the floor in a room.
A hole in the ground next to a brick wall.
A hole in the floor of a building under construction.
A concrete floor with a hole in the middle of it
A concrete wall with a hole in it in a basement.
A concrete wall with a concrete floor in a basement.
A room with a hole in the floor and a concrete wall.
A concrete wall with a hole in it and a concrete floor.
A concrete floor with a hole in it and a black object in the middle.
A drain in a basement next to a heater.
A shovel is being used to dig a hole in the floor
A hole in the ground next to a brick wall with a shovel in it.
A room with a brick wall and a box of tools on the floor.
A concrete floor in a garage with a door in the background.
A dirty basement with a stone wall and a window.
A concrete floor in a garage next to a stone wall.
A concrete floor is being poured in a garage.
A water heater is sitting on the floor next to a pipe.
A garage with a concrete floor and a brick wall.
A white wall with a light switch on it.
A concrete floor in a basement with a drain in the wall.
A concrete floor in a basement with a window.
A concrete floor with gravel and pipes in a basement.
A room with a window and a vacuum cleaner on the floor.
A room with a tiled floor and a white wall.
A room with a tiled floor and a window.
A blue wheelbarrow is sitting on a tiled floor in a room.
A room with a dart board and a mop on the wall.
A narrow hallway with tile floors and a window.
A long hallway with tile floors and a window.
A red bucket is sitting on the floor in a room next to a vacuum cleaner.
A room with a concrete floor and pipes in it
A room with a concrete floor and a door.
A room with a concrete floor and a concrete wall.
A concrete floor is being built in a basement.
A basement with a concrete floor and a closet.
A basement with a concrete floor and a window.
A room with a lot of wires hanging from the ceiling.
A hallway in a basement with a red bucket on the floor.
A room with a bucket and pipes on the floor
A room with a lot of dirt on the floor.
A narrow hallway in a house with a hole in the floor.
There is a hole in the wall in the basement.
There is a hole in the floor in the corner of the room.
A room with a mop and a water heater in it.
A long hallway in a building under construction.
A room with a concrete floor and a wooden plank in it.
A long hallway with tile floors and wooden walls
A room with a drill on the floor and a television on the wall.
A room with a door and a drain on the floor.
A set of stairs leading up to a basement with a drain on the floor.
A concrete floor in a garage next to a door.
A set of stairs leading up to a basement with a door open.
A door is open to a basement with stairs leading up to it.
A concrete floor with a white line on it
A basement with a drain on the floor and a door.
A drain in a basement next to a door
A room with a staircase and a dresser in it.
A long hallway with a white wall and a carpeted floor.
A close up of a pile of dirt next to a wall.
A room with a carpeted floor and a white wall
A green cord is plugged into a hole in a wall.
A living room with a fireplace and a rug on the floor.
A living room with a brick fireplace and a green rug
A room with a tank and a blue tank in it.
A white drain with holes in it on a white background.
A room with stairs and a drain on the floor
A drain is being installed in a concrete floor next to a door.
A concrete floor with a white line on it in a room.
A concrete staircase with a drain in the middle of it
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Brilliant Basement Waterproofing