Exterior and below-grade waterproofing deals with water before it ever reaches your basement walls. Instead of managing leaks from the inside, crews excavate down to the footing, apply a membrane or coating to the foundation wall, install or replace drain tile (footing drains), and fit a dimpled drainage board to channel groundwater to a sump pit or daylight discharge. Grading and downspout extensions often get corrected at the same time, since poor lot slope is a leading cause of wet basements around Janesville's clay-heavy soil.
Because this work involves heavy excavation next to your foundation, the contractor matters as much as the method. Look for a written scope that specifies membrane type and drain tile material, a soil and grading assessment (not just a sales pitch for a coating), a transferable warranty with clear terms, and proof of insurance for work near a structure. Ask how they handle egress windows, utility lines, and landscaping restoration, and get more than one bid before committing to a full exterior dig.
Our scoring weighs verified licensing and insurance, warranty length and what it actually covers, response time to inquiries, and a track record of jobs completed without callbacks. See how each of the 8 local contractors stacks up in our ranked guide to Janesville waterproofing contractors, and read our methodology for how we score and verify every business listed here.