Basement waterproofing in Lexington, KY
Help across Lexington-Fayette, from the neighborhoods around downtown to the newer edges of the urban service area.
Lexington's story starts at a spring. In June 1775, pioneers camped at what is now McConnell Springs and named the site; the Kentucky Geological Survey notes that the springs sit in a small valley developed in the Lexington Limestone, where groundwater rises to the surface. The town was chartered in 1782, merged with Fayette County in 1974, and drew the nation's first urban growth boundary in 1958. The 2020 census counted 322,570 residents.
What sits under the city?
Layers of Ordovician limestone and shale, including the Lexington Limestone and the Clays Ferry Formation, according to KGS. KGS also says sinkholes and other karst features are common in the county and that in urban areas they are often covered by artificial fill. That's useful to know if your lot has a low corner that always seems to collect water, or a yard that settles after big storms. Even the old Town Branch, the stream the city grew up along, was rerouted under Vine Street.
Housing across the city
Close-in neighborhoods such as the area around Gratz Park have older brick and frame houses, some with stone or block foundations and partial basements. Properties in Lexington's H-1 historic overlay zones can have extra requirements for exterior changes, so check before any outside work. Postwar ranches and split-levels often have block basements or crawl spaces, and newer subdivisions mostly have poured walls. Each type tends to leak in its own way.
Common jobs in Lexington
- Crack injection in poured walls in newer neighborhoods
- Interior drains and sump systems in block basements
- Crawl space encapsulation under ranches and older homes
- Downspout and grading fixes on lots near sinkholes
Common questions
Do waterproofing contractors need to register in Lexington?
Yes. LFUCG's Contractors Registration Ordinance requires contractors to register with the Division of Building Inspection, and unregistered contractors can't obtain building permits.
Does my historic district affect basement work?
Interior work usually isn't affected, but exterior changes on properties in Lexington's H-1 historic overlay can have additional requirements. Ask the Division of Building Inspection or the planning office before exterior work.
Services in Lexington
- Basement drainage systemsInterior drains cut in along the footing that intercept seepage and groundwater and carry it to a sump pit.
- Sump pumps and battery backupsPump installs and replacements, backup pumps for storm outages, alarms, and discharge lines that keep water off the foundation.
- Foundation crack sealingInjection and sealing for leaking cracks in poured walls, plus repair of failed joints and mortar in block foundations.
- Crawl space encapsulationHeavy vapor barriers, sealed vents, drainage and dehumidifiers for damp crawl spaces under Bluegrass homes.
- Downspouts and surface drainageGutter extensions, regrading and yard drainage planned around sinkholes so roof water stays away from the house.
Nearby areas
Water at the footing, a leaking crack, or a crawl space that smells?
Call and a waterproofing company that works in the Bluegrass will come find the source.