When it comes to keeping basements dry and protected from water damage, U.S. Waterproofing and PermaSeal are two of the most trusted names in basement waterproofing. But how exactly do these two industry leaders compare, and which is the better choice for your home?
This comprehensive guide examines the pros and cons of each basement waterproofing company.
At A Glance Comparison
| Category | U.S. Waterproofing | PermaSeal |
| Years in Business | Since 1982 (41 years) | Since 1987 (36 years) |
| Service Areas | IL, IN, WI, IA, OH, MI, MN, MO | Northeast & Midwest US |
| Waterproofing Process | Interior & exterior drainage, seals walls, sump pumps | Exterior drainage, seals walls, sump pumps |
| Warranty | Transferable lifetime warranty | Transferable lifetime warranty |
| Customer Satisfaction | A+ BBB, 4.8/5 Trustpilot | A+ BBB, 4.5/5 Trustpilot |
Company History & Overview
U.S. Waterproofing was founded in 1982 and is family-owned and operated.
They are headquartered in Illinois but serve several states across the Midwest.
With over 40 years of experience and 350,000+ customers served, they have established themselves as a leading authority in basement waterproofing.
Their focus is on long-lasting solutions using top products and reliability.
PermaSeal, founded in 1987, serves the Northeast and Midwest. Also family-owned, their 36+ years of experience have made them premier basement waterproofers in their regions.
PermaSeal believes in custom solutions for each unique home, using high-quality materials and expert installation. Their forward-thinking approach aims to give homeowners peace of mind.
Both companies have been servicing homes for decades and have installed numerous systems, backing them with transferable lifetime warranties. Their longevity and reliable track records speak to their quality.
Key Differences Between U.S. Waterproofing And PermaSeal
- Waterproofing Process Comparison
U.S. Waterproofing and PermaSeal take slightly different approaches during installation but ultimately work to achieve the same goals.
U.S. Waterproofing takes a very thorough approach, waterproofing both interior and exterior walls. They excavate completely around the foundation walls and seal exterior cracks with commercial sealants. A protective coating is applied to exterior walls before backfilling.
On interior walls, they use a thick sealant to coat any cracks and finish with a drainage mat and panels. These direct water down to a sump pump system they customize and install.
PermaSeal focuses mainly on exterior waterproofing.
They fully expose the outer foundation walls and parge any cracks and gaps.
A thick sealant material is used on the exterior surface along with a protective membrane before backfilling the foundation.
On the home’s interior, they install their drainage system which catches any moisture and pumps it out through new sump pumps they size and install.
So in summary, U.S. Waterproofing waterproofs more thoroughly on both interior and exterior surfaces, while PermaSeal concentrates on the exterior area coupled with an internal drainage system. Both approaches follow industry best practices.
- Products Used
The products used by both companies are similar in quality but have some differences.
U.S. Waterproofing says it uses “only commercial grade products and materials” but doesn’t provide much specifics on brand names. Their main products seem to be thick commercial sealants and coatings for exterior and interior application. They also fabricate custom steel channel drainage systems inside.
PermaSeal transparently lists out name-brand products they rely on. For exterior sealing and protection, they use Epro WP-6000, a polyurethane sealant that expands and is rated for below-grade use.
Inside, they install WaterGuard drainage channels with a durable plastic pan and mesh fabric that directs water to sump pumps. PermaSeal says this product has over 30 years of proven results.
So PermaSeal uses some proprietary drainage products they tout as being rigorously tested. U.S. Waterproofing likely uses quality products too but lacks the specificity that PermaSeal provides.
- Warranties
The warranties offered by each company are excellent and similar.
U.S. Waterproofing stands behind their work with a transferable lifetime warranty. This covers defects in materials and any related water damage. To uphold the warranty, homeowners must also maintain their sump pump system properly.
PermaSeal offers the same – a transferable lifetime warranty on materials and labor against any resulting water damage. Their requirements are that homeowners keep all drainage systems unclogged and functioning.
So in the critical area of warranties, both companies offer the gold standard – unlimited protection for future owners that demonstrates faith in their work. These generous and transferrable lifetime warranties give peace of mind that waterproofing work will hold up over decades.
- Customer Reviews
Looking at online customer feedback for both companies shows overwhelmingly positive sentiment and satisfaction with services:
U.S. Waterproofing has a A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau across nearly 400 reviews.
On Trustpilot, they have a ‘Excellent’ 4.8/5 rating over almost 1500 reviews.
Customers frequently describe installers as polite, expert, responsive, and doing high quality work.
Negative comments are very rare but include some disputes over warranty claims.
PermaSeal also has maintained an excellent A+ BBB rating across 30+ years in business. They hold an ‘Excellent’ 4.5/5 Trustpilot score over 600+ reviews.
Many reviewers comment on employees being courteous, tidy, prompt, and addressing all water problems. Negative reviews mostly involve communication issues during sales or scheduling.
In terms of reliable customer service and satisfaction, both companies receive glowing praise from the vast majority of homeowners. Both excel at timely, high quality work from courteous crews.
U.S. Waterproofing does edge out PermaSeal slightly in online reputation, but both clearly make customer happiness a priority. Their strong reputations and reviews showcase impressive performance history.
- Pricing & Value Comparison
Based on estimates from both companies, U.S. Waterproofing tends to be more expensive: Average costs range from $5,000 to $15,000+. Their higher pricing likely comes from the more extensive excavation, sealing, and drainage work performed on both interior and exterior foundation walls.
This top-to-bottom approach does provide more complete protection.
PermaSeal lists more affordable pricing ranges on average: most jobs cost $3,000 to $7,000. Their estimates seem to run 1.5 to 2 times lower than U.S. Waterproofing. This likely aligns with PermaSeal focusing mainly on exterior waterproofing coupled with interior drainage.
However, pricing for both can vary widely depending on factors like your home’s size and unique needs. Due to all the custom work involved, the only way to get an accurate estimate is to contact each company directly for an on-site evaluation.
They offer free inspections and quotes with no obligation.
While U.S. Waterproofing does charge a premium, they provide an unparalleled lifetime guarantee covering both labor and material costs. This ensures virtually any problem can be fixed down the road at no cost to homeowners. PermaSeal also offers a transferable labor/material warranty, but pricing is friendlier upfront.
So U.S. Waterproofing provides the most thorough protection you can buy, while PermaSeal gives you very competent waterproofing at a more affordable investment point. Both present good value depending on your budget and peace of mind preferences.
- Service Area Differences
U.S. Waterproofing serves a mostly Midwest customer base across 7 states: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Recently they expanded into Missouri as well.
So they concentrate service in the regions near their Illinois headquarters.
PermaSeal currently services homeowners in 14 states, all located in the Northeast and Midwest. Some of their major markets include New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. Their headquarters in New Jersey allows them to focus on the Northeast in particular.
So there is some overlap in service regions, primarily in states like Ohio and parts of the Midwest. However, PermaSeal covers more states in the Northeastern U.S. while U.S. Waterproofing skews more Midwestern currently.
Availability will come down to exactly where your home is located relative to their service maps.
Both firms focus operations close to their home offices but have significant enough reach to serve large portions of the country. With such similar services offered, availability in your state may dictate which company you go with ultimately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Based on over 40 years of reliable service, consistently glowing customer feedback, and their thorough approach to waterproofing, U.S. Waterproofing edges out PermaSeal slightly as best overall. However, PermaSeal also does excellent work for lower cost.
U.S. Waterproofing offers a superior system given how they waterproof and seal both the inside and outside of foundation walls comprehensively. But PermaSeal’s mainly exterior process coupled with interior drainage is also very effective and affordable.
While brand specifics aren’t available, U.S. Waterproofing says they use “commercial grade” sealants suitable for subterranean application. PermaSeal relies on Epro WP-6000, a reputable polyurethane sealant designed specifically for below-grade sealing. Both offer great waterproofing sealants.
For foundations and retaining walls situated against soil/groundwater, U.S. Waterproofing’s extensive sealing process on both interior and exterior wall surfaces is most comprehensive. But PermaSeal’s robust exterior sealant application paired with interior drainage panels also reliably waterproofs basement walls.
The Bottom Line
When comparing U.S. Waterproofing and PermaSeal, both companies are national leaders in basement waterproofing with decades of repair experience and thousands of satisfied customers. Key factors like warranties, customer service, products used, and overall methods are all very strong for both firms.
U.S. Waterproofing offers a slightly more thorough process at a higher price point, while PermaSeal provides very reliable exterior waterproofing for more affordable rates. There are many similarities as well in terms of quality, warranties, reputations, products used, and service regions.
Homeowners can’t go wrong choosing either company for their expertise and customer satisfaction history. Budget, location, as well as personal preferences on cost versus scope of work can help determine which provider gets the job for your particular basement.
Both U.S. Waterproofing and PermaSeal are great options for permanently solving wet basement problems using long-lasting waterproofing.
