Basement Waterproofing in Kensington, MD
Diagnose the real problem — not just patch symptoms. Our Kensington branch serves DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Prince George's County with in-house crews, no subcontractors, and a lifetime warranty.
Kensington Branch
DMV Waterproofing
Phone
Hours
- Mon – Fri7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Engineer-Founded Since 2005
Founders are civil engineers. We identify the real cause before recommending any solution.
No Subcontractors — Ever
Every crew member is a full-time DMV Waterproofing employee. Our people, every time.
Lifetime Structural Warranty
Our foundation and waterproofing work is backed by a written lifetime warranty.
0% APR Financing
Through Wisetack — projects $500–$25,000 qualify. 3–120 months, no late fees.
Why DC & Lower Montgomery Homes Need Engineering, Not Quick Fixes
Piedmont Clay & DC's Water Table Don't Forgive Shortcuts
Kensington homes sit at the intersection of dense Piedmont clay soil and a high water table that affects much of Lower Montgomery County and the District. Older brick and concrete block foundations common in Rock Creek Hills, Kensington Heights, and Garrett Park face constant hydrostatic pressure — especially during the DMV's wet spring and humid summer months.
Add Washington's 40+ inches of annual rainfall, and basement water intrusion becomes one of the most expensive problems homeowners face here. Our Kensington branch at 5014 Nicholson Ln serves all of Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Takoma Park, and surrounding areas.
The Shield Series™ · Engineered Solutions
8 Engineered Services for Kensington & DC Homes
FootingShield™
Interior drainage at footing depth with reinforced concrete restoration. Keeps your basement permanently dry.
ExteriorWallShield™
2-layer engineered membrane on the exterior of the foundation wall — installed once, designed to last.
Crack RepairCrackShield™
Polyurethane pressure injection on concrete walls. We waterproof the crack, then repair it.
PerimeterGradingShield™
Exterior perimeter french drain installed one foot below grade — redirects water away from the foundation.
MoldMoldShield™
Containment, mechanical removal, antimicrobial — then we fix the cause, not just the symptom.
Crawl SpaceCrawlShield™
Complete crawl space system — drainage, encapsulation, dehumidifier, structural repairs in one package.
YardYardShield™
Stop water at the surface — catch basins, underground downspouts, dry well discharge.
FoundationFoundation Repair
Carbon fiber, push piers, helical piers, and jet grouting — engineered solutions for every foundation issue.
Kensington & DC Metro
Serving DC & Lower Montgomery County From Our Kensington Branch
From Capitol Hill to Chevy Chase, Bethesda to Hyattsville — we serve homeowners across Washington DC and Lower Montgomery County from our Kensington branch at 5014 Nicholson Ln.
Call (301) 968-649915+ Service Areas Across DC, Montgomery & Prince George's
Areas We Serve From Kensington
Washington DC
- Washington DC
- Georgetown
- Capitol Hill
- Dupont Circle
- Adams Morgan
- Logan Circle
- Foggy Bottom
- Brookland
- Tenleytown
- NW DC
- NE DC
- SW DC
- SE DC
Lower Montgomery County
- Bethesda
- North Bethesda
- Chevy Chase
- Kensington
- Silver Spring
- Takoma Park
- Wheaton
- Garrett Park
- Rock Creek Hills
- Kensington Heights
Prince George's County
- Hyattsville
- College Park
- Mount Rainier
- Brentwood
- Cheverly
- Riverdale Park
- Bowie
- Greenbelt
- University Park
The Engineering Difference
Why Kensington Homes — and DC Row Houses — Need Engineering
The DC/Lower Montgomery area has some of the most varied housing stock in the country. Bethesda and Chevy Chase have older Tudor and Colonial homes with stone or CMU block foundations that move with expansive clay soils. DC row houses share party walls, often with masonry foundations that predate modern waterproofing entirely. Silver Spring and Wheaton have post-war slab and crawl-space homes that need different solutions than full basements.
If the right answer for your home is exterior waterproofing, we tell you. If it's a $4,000 yard drainage fix instead of a $15,000 interior system, we tell you that too. Engineering judgment isn't about selling the biggest job — it's about solving the actual problem.
20+
Years in Business
6
In-House Crews
0
Subcontractors
∞
Lifetime Warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Kensington & DC Homeowners Ask Us
Why do Kensington and DC homes have basement water problems?
Lower Montgomery County and DC sit on Piedmont clay soil that expands when wet and contracts during dry periods, putting constant pressure on foundation walls. Many older neighborhoods — Rock Creek Hills, Garrett Park, Capitol Hill row houses, and pre-war brick homes throughout NW DC — have foundations especially vulnerable to seepage. Combined with the region's 40+ inches of annual rainfall and high summer humidity, basement water intrusion is one of the most common problems we see here.
How much does basement waterproofing cost in Kensington and DC?
Costs vary based on the scope and method. Interior drainage systems (FootingShield™) typically range from $8,000–$18,000 depending on basement size and conditions. Crack repair (CrackShield™) starts around $500–$1,500 per crack. Exterior waterproofing (WallShield™) is more involved and ranges from $15,000–$40,000+. We provide free written estimates with 0% APR financing available through Wisetack.
Do you install drain tile systems in Kensington and DC homes?
Yes. Our FootingShield™ interior drainage system uses 4" perforated drain tile installed at footing depth, with non-woven geotextile filter fabric, gravel envelope, drainboard, and a sump pit with battery backup. The drain is tunneled beneath the slab with our Slab Seat™ technique — keeping the slab bonded to the footer rather than cut as a continuous trench.
Do I need a permit for waterproofing in Kensington or DC?
Interior waterproofing typically does not require a permit. Exterior waterproofing involving excavation around the foundation usually does require a permit from Montgomery County DPS or DC DOB. We handle all permit applications and inspections as part of the project — no additional cost or paperwork on your end.
Does the Kensington branch serve all of DC?
Yes. All four DC quadrants are served exclusively from our Kensington office. Our crews work in row houses, condos, townhouses, and single-family homes across the District — from Georgetown and Capitol Hill to Brookland and Tenleytown.
Do you use subcontractors in Kensington or DC?
No. Every crew member is a full-time DMV Waterproofing employee — not a franchise tech, not a third-party contractor. Our people install every system, every time. This is one of the core reasons we can offer a lifetime warranty on our work.
How long does a waterproofing job take in Kensington or DC?
Crack repair is typically completed in 1 day. Interior drainage systems (FootingShield™) take 3–5 days depending on basement size. Exterior waterproofing (WallShield™) ranges from 5–10 days based on excavation depth and yard access. Crawl space encapsulation is usually 3–7 days. We provide a clear timeline during the free inspection.
What warranty do you offer on waterproofing work?
Interior waterproofing (FootingShield™) carries a lifetime warranty — for as long as you own the home, with transferability to future owners at no cost. Exterior waterproofing (WallShield™) has a 25-year written warranty, functionally lifetime if the membrane isn't disturbed by third-party excavation. Crack repair (CrackShield™) carries a 25-year warranty. See our Warranty page for full terms.
Do you offer financing in Kensington and DC?
Yes. We offer 0% APR financing through Wisetack for projects from $500–$25,000, with terms from 3–120 months. No compounding interest, no late fees, no prepayment penalties. Pre-qualification doesn't affect your credit score and takes about 60 seconds online.
What if I'm a current customer and need maintenance or warranty service?
Existing customers can reach our Customer Support team at 1-833-888-2533 — available 7 days a week for warranty calls, annual maintenance, and urgent issues. The (301) 968-6499 line is for new inspections and inquiries.
Visit Our Kensington Branch
Stop by our Kensington office on Nicholson Lane — or schedule a free on-site inspection at your home. Our certified field inspectors serve all of DC, Lower Montgomery County, and Prince George's County.
Branch Phone
Hours
Mon–Fri 7AM–9PM
Sat–Sun 8AM–8PM
Contact
Schedule a Free Inspection in Kensington
Schedule a convenient time for our certified field inspector to visit your home and complete a thorough inspection. Trust your local Kensington branch — engineer-founded, no subcontractors, lifetime warranty.
Kensington Branch Phone
Free Inspection
No obligation · Engineer on-site · Same-week availability