Gates Mills mixes 1800s farmhouses, early country estates and later homes along the Chagrin River valley. We waterproof and repair foundations of every age, with free estimates and a transferable lifetime warranty.
Gates Mills grew up around a sawmill that Holsey Gates built on the Chagrin River in the 1820s. More mills and small factories followed, then faded after the Civil War. From the 1890s, families from the city bought land here for country homes, and the village kept a quiet New England look. That history left a wide range of houses, from story-and-a-half Greek Revival farmhouses to large estate homes and later suburban builds.
The village follows the Chagrin valley, with river flats at the bottom and wooded hillsides climbing away on both sides. Houses near the river deal with a high water table and soggy ground in wet seasons. Houses up the slopes deal with runoff coming downhill toward them. Both end up with water pressing on basement walls after heavy rain or a spring thaw.
Foundations vary as much as the houses. Older homes often rest on stone or brick walls laid with lime mortar that softens and washes out with time. Mid-century homes usually have block or poured walls. Each kind leaks in its own way, so we look at the wall itself before suggesting a fix.
Stone foundations can lose mortar, shed loose stones and let the wall bulge where soil pushes hardest. Block walls on slopes can bow on the uphill side, and poured walls crack as the clay below shrinks and swells. Additions put onto old houses often settle apart from the original part.
We choose repairs that suit the wall. Carbon-fiber straps and the Richtech Stabilizer System work on block and poured walls from inside, and Richtech braces can be tightened toward plumb. Steel push piers support a settling addition or corner. Cracks get epoxy or polyurethane injection, all laid out in a written plan.
Interior drainage, wall membranes and footing drains that relieve water pressure and stop seepage at the source - keeping your Gates Mills basement dry for good.
Learn moreBowing walls and settlement cracks stabilized permanently with the Richtech Stabilizer System, carbon-fiber straps, and epoxy/polyurethane crack injection.
Learn moreHigh-capacity sump systems with battery backup and water-alarm monitoring that automatically clear water before it accumulates - even when the power goes out.
Learn moreFrench drains, downspout extensions and regraded surface drainage that move stormwater away from your foundation before it ever reaches your basement.
Learn moreRepair, replacement and maintenance of gutters and downspouts so roof runoff is captured and carried far from your foundation - your first line of defense.
Learn moreCode-compliant egress windows that add a safe emergency exit, flood your basement with natural light, and unlock legal bedroom potential and home value.
Learn morePowerful dehumidification and moisture control that clears musty odors, protects against mold, and turns a damp basement into fresh, comfortable living space.
Learn moreDurable, energy-efficient glass block windows that resist leaks and break-ins while still letting daylight into your basement - a clean, permanent upgrade.
Learn moreWe're a family business based at 298 E Walnut St in Wadsworth, working since 1985 with an A+ BBB rating. Our own employees come to Gates Mills for the inspection and the work.
The first visit is free. We check the basement or cellar, any crawl space, the grading and the gutters, then hand you a written plan and price. Financing is available, and flooded basements get 24/7 emergency help at (330) 366-3028.
We had our cellar door stairs waterproofed, a drain in the basement and downlines for our gutters installed. The crew was great to work with.
Mike and Ken and the other workers, what can I say? They have gone above and beyond for us. This has been a very challenging job, and Mike the owner has been back several times to make it right.
Positive experience from start to finish. Scheduled the estimate within days and got us right on the calendar for the repair. Ken was great to work with and answered my numerous questions with patience. The crew arrived on time.
Yes. Stone walls leak through gaps in the mortar and between stones. We can repoint loose areas, add interior drainage along the base and put in a sump so water has a place to go.
Ground near the river often holds a high water table, so moisture rises from below and through the walls. A drain system and sump manage that groundwater, and a dehumidifier handles the humid air.
It means the old mortar is breaking down. That lets water in and can loosen stones over time. We'll check how far it's gone and recommend repointing, drainage or both.
Usually from runoff above the house and soil on the uphill side that stays soaked. Downspouts dumping near the wall make it worse. We trace the flow during a free inspection.
Additions sit on their own footings, often shallower than the original. If the ground under one part settles, the two separate. Push piers can support the addition and stop the gap from growing.
Yes. Many older homes have a crawl space under a wing or addition. A vapor barrier over the soil and up the walls cuts moisture, and a dehumidifier can help keep it dry.
Most of our work is inside the basement and below floor level, so it doesn't change how the house looks. We'll explain each step and choose methods that suit older walls.
We run 24/7 emergency response. Call (330) 366-3028 and we'll get a crew moving. Turn off basement power if water is near outlets and it is safe to reach the panel.
Yes, we offer financing options. We'll go over them at the free estimate along with the written price. You can take your time deciding, and there's no pressure at the estimate.
All American Basement Waterproofing covers Gates Mills with our own crew from Wadsworth. We've been family-owned since 1985 with an A+ BBB rating. Call (330) 366-3028 for a free estimate.
Gates Mills is one of the many Cuyahoga County communities we serve - or see all of Cuyahoga County.
Talk to All American today - we'll inspect your Gates Mills basement or foundation and give you an honest, written estimate at no cost. Family-owned and protecting Northeast Ohio homes since 1985.
24/7 emergency response · Financing available · Transferable lifetime warranty