Winter Basements: What You Should Know

By Steve Karlik | February 8, 2019 |

Frozen downspout and leaky basement union county nj

Don’t Leave Your Basement in the Cold So far, it’s been a forgiving winter. Despite some cold snaps, there’s been very little snowfall (did we just jinx it?!) But we aren’t in the clear yet. If you recall past winters, we’ve seen our fair share of snow in New Jersey. Question is: How do snow…

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Based on 112 reviews

Blue Umbrella Waterproofing

5.0

Bob Cunius

15:10 09 Mar 22

Blue Umbrella did a fantastic job installing a sump pump and interior french drain system in my house. Tony did a great job explaining the project to me during our initial conversation. The crew that came over was able to install the perimeter pipes, dig out a new sump pit, and install the sump all in one day, which was a huge plus. I had other places tell me it would take up to a week. And the final product looks great. Not only were they efficient with their time but they were also thorough. At one point the owner even stopped by and had the team fix a minor issue with my Bilco steps while they had it removed to get underneath. Somehow they even managed to thoroughly clean up the downstairs and yard before nightfall.

Esther Jung

20:25 02 Mar 22

We got a french drain installed in the basement and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Steve and Tony are professional, quick to respond, and thorough in their explanations. The prices were also very reasonable, which I know because I had quotes from other contractors. All of their workers are also polite and hard working, getting the job done in just 1.5 days and our basement was not an easy job. I will undoubtedly call Blue Umbrella Waterproofing again for any other waterproofing needs.

Malgorzata Jagiello

16:48 26 Feb 22

I chose Blue Umbrella Waterproofing Company after long research to install a french drain system and 2 new sump pumps in my leaky basement and I am so glad I did. The whole process from the beginning to an end was easy and painless. Steve, Tony and the entire crew was professional, courteous and on time and after the job was done my garage that is leading to my basement and my driveway were spotless. I highly recommend Blue Umbrella - the prices are very reasonable and the service is outstanding.

Rony U

02:50 23 Feb 22

We recently had water come into our basement during storm Ida. After numerous bids and countless calls to other companies. We were able to schedule Blue Umbrella to waterproof our basement. Their prices and services seemed very reasonable. We could not be happier with our decision. Tony was great at explaining and detailing all of the work needed. Steve(owner) touched base and visited the site numerous times and crew was able to finish in 1 day. Cleaned up nicely and explained all functions and location of their equipment. I’m very confident we won’t be seeing any more water coming in to our home. Blue Umbrella to the rescue !!

Ravi Thakkar

14:01 19 Feb 22

We had our French Drain system with a battery backup pump installed by Blue Umbrella and it a great experience. During the initial visit with Tony, he explained the whole process, took accurate measurements and showed us exactly what they would be doing. On the day of install the owner, Steve stopped by to insure the system would be done correctly and followed up through the day. The crew was efficient in getting the install done in 1 day and did a great job of cleaning up after. Would recommend this company to anyone looking for basement waterproofing

Christina N

17:57 05 Jun 20

Tony was a pleasure to work with! He exlained the process and answered all of our questions. We highly recommend Blue Umbrella!

Rosa Lassalle

23:19 22 Mar 20

We had two sub pumps installed and the work was completed timely and professionally by the team. Steve was very responsive to any of my questions or follow up inquiries. Highly recommend!

Adventure Channel

21:25 06 Mar 20

We have recently bought our first house and have had a lot of construction/renovation work done and Blue Umbrella's waterproofing job was by far the best experience ever. They far exceeded our expectations. Not only they were always on time every day they had to come in, they were fast and so clean I couldn't believe it. So clean, it looks almost as if no work has been done in my basement. Tony who managed the job was always so easy to get a hold of and the owner Steve made sure we were happy and satisfied with everything. I strongly recommend them if you need waterproofing.

C. Bryan Cantrell

02:00 08 Feb 20

Very high quality work. Not cheap, but worth the money. Good communication. Workers were attentive and efficient. Jon was done in one day. I strongly recommend

Dan Hennes

15:26 13 Jan 20

We used Blue Umbrella to put in French drains and a sump pump and had a fantastic experience. Tony did a great job explaining their methodology during the sales process and it was a no brained to move forward with them. They completed the work quickly and with the highest quality. They left our basement looking cleaner than when they started. Steve checked in often and was was happy to answer any questions and went above and beyond to deliver great service and make for a great client experience.

Liz

17:38 10 Jan 20

We wanted our french drain replaced before finishing our basement. We found Blue Umbrella through positive recommendations in Facebook groups. Steve's estimate was mid priced and better than some other companies in the area. We are very happy with the work that was done and with Steve himself. He is very responsive, honest and knowledgeable and the work is quality. He doesn't try to sell you on anything, just provide his best recommendation. I ask a ton of questions and he answered all of them patiently. He stayed in contact when the work was being done and brought extra people to the job to get it done quicker. He was quick to fix some things and came back to explain how everything worked. All contractors that have since come to the house have said Blue Umbrella did everything right with the french drain. I don't say good things lightly and I would highly recommend him.

Angela Lis

13:35 05 Jan 20

Great service! On time, effective and appropriate pricing. The owner is in contact at all times, and offers clear and honest information about the work. The crew is very respectful and efficient. After about five estimates we chose them as they were very clear, honest and professional. Strongly recommend their services and will keep using them for annual maintenance.

Ashley Pagelow

21:17 28 Dec 19

Steve and Tony at Blue Umbrella were very knowledgeable and helpful with remediating the water we found in our basement. They were extremely honest, fair and thorough. We highly recommend this company.

Heath Borders

22:20 21 Dec 19

Steve and his team at Blue Umbrella do a great job. We spoke with several waterproofing companies and chose Blue Umbrella based on their responsiveness, thoroughness in inspecting the source of our leak, competitive price and lifetime guarantee of their work. They installed a French drain and two sump pumps in one day and Steve has been very diligent about explaining the system and answering our follow-up questions. We highly recommend!

Ben Li

14:13 05 Dec 19

Steve and his Blue Umbrella team really took care of all my waterproofing needs. My basement has been leaking with rain water for the past two months. After hiring a contractor and believing all my issues were solved, my basement continued to leak. I then got in touch with Blue Umbrella, and they really took the time to help solve my issue. It appears they found the source of the problem, and they even came up with a back up plan to help me feel reassured. They were able to install a french and a trench drain, redirect water if needed, and install a new sump pump and backup battery. They were clean, courteous, efficient, knowledgable, and most of all, AFFORDABLE. I will recommend to anyone in need of waterproofing services.

Pavel Alvarez

18:13 15 Nov 19

My Blue Umbrella Waterproofing experience was phenomenal. Steve and John walk me through the entire process and really made me feel at ease. They were honest and recommended a few options. I have a huge basement so I thought this would take at least a few days. These guys were not only able to finish the work in a single day, but left my basement spotless. If you want the work done the right way go with these guys. I promise you you won’t be disappointed.

Irina Marr

17:27 07 Nov 19

We recently purchased a home, there was a very heavy musty smell in the basement and we wanted to have a battery powered back up for the sump pump, since our town seems to loose power from time to time so we decided to waterproof the basement and install a back up for the sump pump avoid any potential issues. Blue Umbrella was highly recommended. They did a great job. They installed a heavy duty sump pump, emergency battery backup for the sump pumps with built in high water alarms and water profed the exposed walls. In the process of waterproofing the wall we realized how much water was sitting behind our basement walls and causing all this moisture damage. Their price was fair, and it was worth every penny for our own peace of mind! We will be enjoying our basement for many years!Thanks Steve from Blue Umbrella!

Manny Maza

13:58 04 Nov 19

Absolutely flawless service. I cannot give any higher praise and recommendation for Blue Umbrella Waterproofing. Steve and his crew showed up right on time ready to go the day of the job, no messing around right to it. We had a decent sized French drain system installed in our basement. Before lunch the system was halfway complete, these guys work like a well oiled machine. By the time the job was completed I can honestly say the basement and garage were cleaner then before Blue Umbrella came in to do the work. I shopped around for weeks before making my choice to use Steve and the guys. Let me save you the hassle, bang for the buck Blue Umbrella provides much much more service and value for the price. Not only was Steve more competitive in pricing, he even came in with a battery backup dual cast iron pump system for much less than the base price of the standard system of other companies. Not to mention even 10k less than another company. My original appraisal walk through wasn't the ordinary sales pitch that I experienced with other sales reps. Steve's presentation was much more informative and spent a hour discussing my needs rather than selling me on some profitable system for his company. He was honest and put me at ease about choosing him for this big job. These guys are organized, friendly, respectful, and well experienced professionals. Again I have nothing but high recommendations for the crew at Blue Umbrella. Give them a call, you won't regret it!

Maria Clark

23:28 06 Sep 19

We recently purchased a home, and mold was found due to moisture in the basement. After the mold issue was resolved, we decided to waterproof the basement to avoid further issues. Blue Umbrella was highly recommended. They did a great job. They installed 2 heavy duty 1/2 horsepower sump pumps, 2 emergency battery backup sump pumps with built in high water alarms, 1 heavy duty Santa Fe dehumidifier which removes up to 70 pints a day of water from the air, and installed 14mil vapor barrier on exterior walls, stops moisture penetration, lifetime warranty. I was unaware of how much work is involved to waterproof a basement. They did a lot of work which would take another page to list everything they did! Their price was fair, and it was worth every penny for our own peace of mind! When the Town Inspector returned to see the final results, the first thing he said was “neat job, very good”We will be enjoying our basement for many years!Thanks Steve from Blue Umbrella!

Maria Clark

23:28 06 Sep 19

Dianne Bazylewicz

23:49 31 Aug 19

Our basement had been very wet. Everyday, we were sopping and vacuuming water. We finally had enough and gave Blue Umbrella a call. We can’t say enough good things about the work they did for us. Steve spent a lot of time with us discussing our water issue and offering us solutions. The men worked hard and finished on time. They cleaned up after themselves. You wouldn’t have known we had all that debris outside. We added a dehumidifier along with the French drain system. The basement is drier than we have ever had it. We are so pleased. We have already recommended them to a neighbor.

Steve Oliveira

19:10 26 Aug 19

After calling up numerous waterproofing companies, Steve Karlik and his team stood out above the rest. From the initial site visit to the finished project everything that was mentioned and agreed upon was done and felt very comfortable. The team even went above and beyond my expectations. If your looking for a professional, courteous and well priced company to solve your water proofing issuess I highly highly recommend Blue Umbrella. Just simply an awesome group of people. They did an amazing job for me and continued to follow up weeks after to ensure all was well. Thank you Steve Karlik and the team at Blue Umbrella!

Barbara Miller

11:54 26 Aug 19

Steve Karlik is wonderful to work with, reliable, honest and fair. His team showed up when expected and worked diligently all day to waterproof our basement. During recent heavy storms our basement remained dry, so we're exceedingly pleased. Pricing is competitive and reasonable. We highly recommend Blue Umbrella Waterproofing and intend to use them to install a dehumidifier.

Jaime Quinones

19:45 16 Aug 19

The crew headed by foreman Jefferson did a tremendous and beautiful job on the basement waterproofing. They arrived early, were professional and cleaned up nicely after themselves. The company owner (Steve) was in constant communication a few days prior to the work beginning and throughout the day of the job until completion. Also the price was very competitive to other quotes I had received from other companies. I think what makes them standout is that they use higher quality pipes, pumps, and equipment for a similar price than other companies. I would highly recommend.

Michael K

18:56 22 Jul 19

Hired Steve and Team to repair and redesign a unique french drain in my basement. Steve is very passionate and caring about the work that he does and this clearly showed. His team worked quickly and efficiently and did a fantastic job remediating the problem I had. His pricing was also very fair and he was easy to communicate with and always responded quickly. It has now been several months since the job was completed and I can happily report that he solved my problem!

Eddie A

22:04 11 Jul 19

Ownership - Outstanding!!Customer Service - Outstanding!!Quality of Work - Outstanding!!Steve and his team at Blue Umbrella were fantastic. Steve took the time to talk with my wife and I and explain every detail that was going to be done. the crew finished the job in under a days time and were nothing but excellent. We have had the Water Company and another homeowner over to our new home since the job has been completed and both have said how great the waterproofing job looked and the Water company actually asked who did the job, so they could recommend Blue Umbrella. If you need waterproofing done and are looking for quality service and outstanding work, run don't walk to Steve and his Blue Umbrella team !

Jonathan Rudnick

21:57 10 Jul 19

Blue Umbrella just put a french drain in my basement that had water in 2 areas. Steve & John were great to work with during the proposal phase. Steve spent a lot of time explaining the solution to me and really thinking through what options would be the best for our house. Pricing was very reasonable.The crew did an amazing job. We could not believe how efficient and organized they were and we are very happy w/ the install. This is not a 'fun' project to have to do, but Blue Umbrella made it as painless as possible and we look forward to enjoying our dry basement for many years.

Jeanne Stamler

12:56 10 Jul 19

Highly recommend!!Excellent, efficient, prompt service! Workers were extremely neat, professional and courteous. The job was completed in one day! Not a drop of moisture to be found, fabulous job! Many thanks to Steve and his staff!

Monica Cintron

03:32 13 Jun 19

John and Steve responded to my inquiry quickly. The price was very reasonable compared to another company I received a quote from. Plus they were willing to give me more waterproofing protection than the other company. This business recognizes first responders and veterans. I was able to get the project started quickly because of that. I highly recommend them.

Joshua Kunsman

18:53 25 Apr 19

We moved into our house about a year ago. The basement had one sump pump, but the water table in our area is high so we were getting a lot of moisture and sediment on the walls, as well as some small wet spots on the concrete floor. We would like to be able to finish the basement in the not too distant future and even the little bit of water that we were getting would have prevented us from moving forward with any additional improvements to the basement. It also helped attract spiders and kept us from wanting to go down there at all. We got quotes from Steve and one other waterproofer in the area, both of whom were recommended by a very reputable local water-remediation guy. Both companies had similar methods, but used different products/systems. While I felt both quotes were reasonable, the Blue Umbrella quote was slightly lower. But it was more than price that led my decision. My wife and I both liked the focus on keeping everything very clean, hanging tarps to keep dust from moving upstairs, using fans to pull dust outside, etc. Additionally, the system that Blue Umbrella uses is the industry standard and I felt more secure. The day that the team came to install the French drain, they were very efficient and kept me informed the entire time. Once they had opened up the floor, they brought me down to look at the footer and I could see the amount of water that was sitting under the house. It was definitely more than I expected. We have a decent sized basement, and there were a lot of obstacles to work around, but the team completed the job in a single day. The concrete finishing looks great…probably better than the concrete that was there before. The entire system is sealed up and we now have two sump pumps clearing the water out of the house. It has been a little over a month since it was installed, and every time I go down to the basement I notice that the floor is completely dry all around and the air just seems drier. I am currently monitoring the humidity levels to verify if my old dehumidifier is working properly, but it already feels better. I would recommend Steve and the guys at Blue Umbrella to anyone I know. The team was courteous and professional, and they did a great job, leaving me with a really great finished product. The team was top notch and Steve is very trustworthy. He’s honest with you right from the start and keeps you in the loop throughout the process. Great guy, great team, great company, great job!

Stephen Smith

19:37 22 Apr 19

I just used Steve and his crew to waterproof my basement. They showed up on time and finished in 1 day. Most of all my basement was clean after they were done! Also ran the discharge line to the street! I would highly recommend Blue Umbrella to anyone having water issues in their basement!

Jim Miller

15:24 08 Apr 19

Steve and his team just completed a full french drain system with 2 sump pumps in my basement. The job was done in a timely manner and there is no more water coming into my basement. Steve is extremely professional, knowledgeable and he was always there to answer any questions. I would highly recommend Blue Umbrella Waterproofing if you any issues with water. Thanks again Steve and your team at Blue Umbrella!!

Chris Belsky

21:40 31 Mar 19

Wow, just WOW! Steve and his team did an amazing job! And his quote was one of the least expensive of the 4 we asked for. Steve made us feel like family with his offer, and suggestions. Most importantly, the execution of the job was actually the best part out of this whole experience. His team moved all of our things into the middle of the basement and CLEANED as well as mopped when they finished. Cannot say enough about my experience with working with Blue Umbrella. There is usually some type of catch or the finished product is not what is expected. Not with blue umbrella! If you are looking for the best pricing AND the best work, you only have to make one call... blue umbrella! -Chris Belsky from Roselle Park nj.

Woo Jasus

14:12 24 Mar 19

Nothing but good things to say about the Blue Umbrella Waterproofing Company. I live in a flood zone and constantly was having water issues in my basement. They came same day I called to look at the problem and recommended that I get French drains. Also recommended to get a drain running across the basement floor where most of the water was entering from. They came a few days later and installed it in no time. They also installed a brand new pit and sump pump that was more efficient for my type of house. After the work was completed I have not had any more water entering my basement. All of the workers were professional and courteous. I would definitely recommend Blue Umbrella Waterproofing to anyone having water issues. For the amount of work that was done their prices are very reasonable. You will not be disappointed going with them.

greg esposito

14:09 05 Mar 19

Steve and Jeff from BLUE UMBRELLA are tops in customer service. They quickly scheduled an installation of sump pump and dehumidifier...Trustworthy and courteous....

Hong Ada Zhang

22:34 27 Feb 19

Blue Umbrella recently installed two sump pumps and french drain system in our basement. They did excellent job from first consultation to final installation. Communication is excellent. Steve is very knowledgable and patient with all of our questions and concerns. The crew is on- time and experienced. They are very good at what they do, and easy to communicate with. They made the work area clean and neat afterwards. Now the basement is dry and ready to finish. Thank you Blue Umbrella!

Lesette Cholula-Garcia

18:17 18 Feb 19

Steve and his guys did a wonderful job waterproofing our basement. Would highly recommend.

Nadia Riley

17:01 08 Feb 19

Just had our basement done by Blue Umbrella and we are so pleased! They were quick, clean, efficient and courteous. We highly recommend!

Maureen Hess

14:38 30 Jan 19

I found Blue Umbrella through an online search. I take reviews seriously and thankfully it was a great choice. Customer service and the satisfaction of it is paramount to a company’s success. Based on our experience, Blue Umbrella has many years of success ahead. Steve was responsive to our needs and followed up when we had questions. Thank you Steve and thank you to your crew.

William Van Buskirk

23:02 05 Jan 19

The best around Jeff is the best. If you need waterproofing don't waste your time calling others call blue umbrella.

Brian Keady

16:52 03 Jan 19

We couldn't be more satisfied with the quality work that Steve and his crew did. They installed a full french drain and two new sump pumps, which are working beautifully. No unpleasant surprises along the way, and communication with Steve was super smooth. We are tough customers and I highly recommend Blue Umbrella. Price was competitive as well.

Pat Riotto

14:44 26 Dec 18

Excellent company to work with.Steve thoroughly reviewed the seepage problem were having in our basement before recommending a solution.He explained every step of the work that would be done and quoted us a very reasonable price. We scheduled the job for 9:00 am on a Saturday - Steve’s crew arrived at 8:45 am.They were professional, courteous & and extremely concerned about keeping our house & basement clean while they did their work. The new French drain system took about 5 hours to install and when Steve’s guys left you could not tell that they were working in our basement - no dirt or dust left anywhere.If you have a wet or damp basement problem, I highly recommend Steve at Blue Umbrella Waterproofing to do the job. Pat Riotto

Dan Kotch

16:09 30 Nov 18

Working with Steve was a pleasure. He is an extremely professional and likable guy. He did a great job waterproofing, installing french drain system, and providing all around advice to keep our basement dry. Provided a good value for the work done when I needed it and got the job done quickly.

Luis Sanchez

17:13 14 Oct 18

Quality work with expedient service. Great communication. Left the work area neat as if no work was ever done. Would recommend to family, friends and neighbors.

Sean Garley

20:21 08 Oct 18

Recently had french drain and sump pump problems in the basement. Reached out to Steve from Blue umbrella. Steve was quick thorough and worked very clean. Very satisfied with outcome. Also offered best price for the job. Highly recommended.

Jennifer King

19:07 17 Sep 18

Blue Umbrella was fantastic. Honest, quick and efficient. Since having our basement waterproofed, we have not had one ounce of water down there. And we've had so much rain. Highly recommend!

hickose

21:23 01 Sep 18

I’ve got my french drain with pump installed about 10 months ago. I highly recommend Steve, he’s great professional; he explained everything in detail, there was no unexplained items, nor extra charges later on . Everything was perfectly done on schedule as promised, in one or two days, basement and entire work area left cleaner than before. The price was very reasonable as well. My basement didn’t have one drop of water on floor nor walls since then .

Jeremy MacDonald

14:58 21 Aug 18

Great experience with Blue Umbrella. Feels good working with professionals who knows what they are talking about and does what they say. I know I'll never have an issue working with Blue Umbrella. Will always use them for my waterproofing needs. Thanks guys!

Mike Giacalone

20:37 15 Jun 18

Steve was a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend due to his experience and professionalism. The project was completed in 1 day and my basement has remained dry since Steve installed a French drain and two pumps.

Brennen Page

19:49 15 Jun 18

I used Blue Umbrella Waterproofing for french draines and a battery backup in my basement. I couldn't be happier with the outcome and I no longer worry about getting water in my basement. I have recommended Blue Umbrella to everyone I know. Thanks again!

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Winter basements

Winter Basements: What You Should Know

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