Waterproofing Your Home in Northeast Ohio: A Guide for Local Residents

Living in Northeast Ohio means dealing with a wide range of weather conditions—from heavy lake-effect snow in the winter to intense spring and summer storms. On top of that, many homes here were built before modern drainage systems were the norm, and that aging construction often brings its own set of waterproofing challenges.

At Engineered Waterproofing , we’ve spent 25+ years studying how local geography, soil composition, and building practices affect water intrusion. And one thing we’ve learned: no two cities in Northeast Ohio are exactly alike when it comes to basement moisture problems.

This guide breaks down the specific conditions we see in 16 cities across the region—from hydrostatic pressure in Akron to high water tables in Aurora—and how homeowners can address them. Whether your home has a poured concrete foundation, block walls, or stonework from the early 1900s, understanding the risks tied to your location is key to keeping your basement dry and your foundation protected. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on beneath your feet. 

 1. Beachwood 

Beachwood is full of well-kept neighborhoods and mid-century homes that have stood the test of time — but like a lot of homes built in the 50s through the 80s, many of them weren’t designed with modern waterproofing in mind. The soil here is heavy with clay, which holds onto water and makes drainage tricky, especially during spring rains or fast snowmelts. Even newer homes in Beachwood can struggle with moisture, especially if the grading around the house is flat or sloped the wrong way. If you’re hearing your sump pump run non-stop or noticing damp spots on the walls, you’re not alone — we see that a lot around here. 

 What we often see in Beachwood:

• Damp basement walls, especially in block foundations
• Water pooling around the home after a storm
• Sump pumps that work overtime and still can’t keep up

What helps:

• Interior drain tile systems to relieve pressure under the floor
• Regrading around the foundation to send water away from the house
• Exterior wall sealing to keep moisture from getting in to begin with

2. Brecksville

Brecksville is beautiful — wooded lots, winding roads, and plenty of homes built into hillsides. But with that charm comes a real waterproofing challenge. Sloped yards and mature landscaping often mean water’s running toward the house, not away from it. Whether your home was built in the 1970s or it’s a custom build from the 2000s, those rolling hills can put a lot of pressure on your foundation. We often see water sneaking in on the downhill side of basements, or walls starting to bow from soil pushing too hard from the outside.

What we often see in Brecksville:

• Cracks or bowing in basement walls from soil pressure
• Water draining downhill and collecting near the foundation
• Clogged gutters and downspouts from all those tall trees

What helps:

• French drains or swales to catch and move surface water
• Carbon fiber reinforcement or wall anchors for bowed walls
• Leaf guards and oversized downspouts to keep gutters flowing 

3. Chagrin Falls 

There’s a reason people love Chagrin Falls — the charm, the river, the historic homes. But with older homes come older foundations, and those beautiful stone or block walls just weren’t built for the kind of rain and groundwater we get today. Add in the hills and proximity to the river, and it’s a recipe for hydrostatic pressure — that’s when water builds up in the soil and starts forcing its way through cracks or joints in your foundation. We’ve seen everything from slow wall seepage to full-blown basement flooding, especially in the spring. 

What we often see in Chagrin Falls:

• Water leaking through old stone or block foundation walls
• Basement flooding during heavy rain or snowmelt
• Erosion or water damage on sloped properties

What helps:

• Interior and exterior waterproofing for stone or block foundations
• High-capacity sump pump systems (with battery backups)
• Grading and drainage solutions to keep water moving downhill and away 

4. Cleveland 

Cleveland’s got a little bit of everything — homes from the early 1900s, post-war builds, and everything in between. And that means the waterproofing issues vary a lot depending on the neighborhood. Closer to the lake, we see higher water tables. In older parts of the city, like Old Brooklyn or Collinwood, aging infrastructure can’t always handle today’s rainstorms. A lot of homes in Cleveland have foundations that have taken a beating from decades of freeze-thaw cycles. And in some neighborhoods, combined sewer systems mean that during big storms, water isn’t just coming from the ground — it can back up through the drains, too.

What we often see in Cleveland:

• Cracks and moisture in old foundations
• Sewer backups during heavy rain
• Musty, damp basements that never fully dry out

What helps:

• Foundation crack repair and sealing
• Installing backflow valves to prevent sewer backups
• Combining interior drainage systems with sump pumps for layered protection 

5. Solon 

Solon is known for its beautiful suburban neighborhoods, top-notch schools, and overall family-friendly vibe. But with its mix of older homes, many built in the 1970s and 1980s, comes the challenge of outdated drainage and waterproofing systems. Clay-heavy soil and occasional flooding in the spring make it especially important to stay on top of waterproofing concerns. In some areas, the grading of the land might not properly direct water away from homes, allowing it to pool around foundations, which can lead to moisture problems in basements. Homeowners may also notice that their sump pump systems are constantly running, signaling that groundwater levels are consistently high.

What we often see in Solon:

• Foundation leaks and cracks, especially in older homes
• Persistent moisture buildup, especially after heavy rain
• Overworked sump pumps due to high groundwater levels

What helps:

• Installing sump pumps with battery backups to handle unexpected power outages
• Regrading around the foundation to encourage water to flow away
• Waterproofing the basement with interior drainage systems and wall sealants 

6. Akron

With its mix of historic homes and newer developments, Akron has its own set of waterproofing challenges. The Cuyahoga River and its surrounding watershed make Akron especially vulnerable to high groundwater levels, meaning that water is always trying to get into basements — especially during spring thaws or heavy rains. Older homes, particularly those built before the 1960s, might not have modern waterproofing features, leaving them vulnerable to leaks and seepage. The clay-rich soil common in Akron also tends to hold water, which increases the pressure on basement walls and can lead to cracks and dampness.

What we often see in Akron:

• Water entering through cracks in stone or block foundations
• Hydrostatic pressure causing foundation bowing or cracking
• Persistent basement flooding during storms or after snowmelt

What helps:

• Foundation crack repairs and wall stabilization, especially in older homes
• Installing high-capacity sump pumps to keep up with groundwater levels
• Applying exterior waterproof coatings to prevent water from entering basements

7. Hudson

Hudson is a beautiful, historic town with lots of older, character-rich homes — but these charming properties often come with unique waterproofing issues. Many homes in Hudson were built with stone or block foundations, and those older materials can crack and let water seep in, particularly during heavy rain or after a long winter thaw. The city’s hilly terrain also plays a role, with water often flowing downhill toward lower-lying homes, causing drainage problems if not properly managed. Additionally, Hudson’s clay soil can trap water near your foundation, leading to significant moisture buildup in basements if drainage is inadequate.

What we often see in Hudson:

• Leaking or damp basements, especially in homes with stone foundations
• Surface water runoff that pools around the foundation after rain
• Mold or mildew growth due to moisture buildup

What helps:

• Waterproofing both the interior and exterior of basements to combat water seepage
• Installing French drains to channel surface water away from the foundation 
• Sealing foundation cracks and using sump pumps with battery backups for reliable water removal 

8. Aurora

Aurora, with its wooded lots and proximity to wetlands, presents some unique waterproofing challenges. Homes near natural water features often face high groundwater levels that make it tough to keep basements dry. Even homes farther from water sources can experience issues because of the area’s clay-heavy soil, which can trap water around foundations.

 What we often see in Aurora:

• Water seepage through foundation walls or floors, especially in older homes
• High moisture levels in basements, creating ideal conditions for mold growth
• Drainage issues caused by proximity to wetlands or other water features

What helps:

• Installing sump pump systems with a battery backup to handle groundwater fluctuations
• Sealing cracks and applying coatings to prevent water intrusion
• Implementing drainage solutions like French drains and surface drains to manage runoff

9.  Canton

Canton is a city with rich history and a mix of old and new homes. Older properties, particularly those built before the 1960s, might not have been constructed with modern waterproofing methods, making them vulnerable to water damage. Canton also experiences significant rainfall and snowmelt, which can cause basements to flood, especially in homes with poor drainage systems.

What we often see in Canton:

 

●      Cracks and water seepage through old stone or block foundations

●      Musty, damp basements, especially in older homes

●      Pooling water around foundations due to poor yard grading

What helps:

 

●      Waterproofing foundations, particularly in older homes, to prevent moisture intrusion

●      Installing sump pumps with alarms to alert homeowners of water buildup

●      Regrading around the home to direct water away from the foundation

 

10.  Canton

Copley is a peaceful suburb with many homes built on uneven terrain or hilly lots. This presents challenges for water management, as the natural flow of water often directs it toward basements. The clay soil here also traps water, creating pressure against foundation walls, which can result in cracks and leaks.

What we often see in Copley:

•  Cracks in foundation walls due to hydrostatic pressure from water buildup
• Basement flooding during spring thaws or after heavy rainfall
• Water pooling around the foundation because of inadequate grading

What helps:

• Installing French drains or trench drains around the home’s perimeter to redirect water
• Sealing foundation cracks and waterproofing basement walls
• Installing sump pumps with battery backups to handle fluctuating water levels

11. Cuyahoga Falls

12. Kent