Customer Reviews

The Original Basement Waterproofing Handbook

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My basement flooded in March 2010, nearly 6 years after I had had it waterproofed by a "reputable company. I was getting so much mixed info about what to do next it was overwhelming. An internet search led to Mr. Master's book. I just wish I had read it 6 years ago. The book is simple and easy to understand, yet it goes into enough detail to help me understand what needs to be done, and what was not done correctly before. Then I emailed Mr. Masters with a number of specific questions about my situation. He responded with timely and detailed answers. i couldn't get that much expert advice anywhere and it is invaluable. I recommend this book for anyone with a wet basement. The cost of the book is nothing compared to its value and is a tiny fraction of what it will cost to waterproof a basement. You would be foolish not to read this book.

Jack Master's book is concisely written and easy for even do it yourselfers to understand. There are many well thought out illustrations which help pinpoint the causes of and remedial actions for water in the basement. A great plus is that the author is readily available by email or phone to answer any questions the reader may have. I heartily reccommend this manual.

We hired a company that installed our interior waterproofing system just as this book describes. That was years ago, and we've had no problems since. If I had not read this book, I could have really been ripped off not knowing what I needed. So many "experts" claim you can solve your problems with regrading and better downspouts, but that had not worked for us. The author helped me to understand why we really did need a french drain system, and gave me an idea of what the cost should be. The book was actually an interesting read too. I never thought a book about solving wet basements could be a good read, but it was. I even spoke to the author twice on the phone for help (he includes his phone number in the book - unheard of!), and he was super helpful.

I wish I had read this book before I had signed contracts with the basement waterproofing company, 'cause I might have negotiated a much better price. However, reading this book before they come to do the job still gave me huge befenits. I was not afraid of their jargon any more, and at times, I pointed out that they were not doing things the best way, and they corrected it. At the end of the day, they told my wife: "Your hushband knows a lot about basement!" I believe that is the kind of knowledge you want to have when you have someone working in your basement. This is THE book to have.

Some contractors recommended the outside fix and others the inside fix. I could not figure out which method would be best for me. After reading this book, I understood which was the right solution for my home. A great book.

Just got off the phone with Jack after a week long email thread . On top of the valuable well laid out information you get prompt and responsive info from the author himself ! I even sent a bunch of photos to describe my crawl space water issue which helped him narrow down to the best solution and increased my understanding exponentially .Highly recommended !

This book was excellent and worth many times the purchase price. It educated me on how basement waterproofing systems work, and gave me the confidence to speak intelligently with my basement waterproofing contractor. My contractor proposed an interior french drain system essentially identical to what Jack suggests in the book. Since most basement waterproofing systems cost thousands of dollars, the purchase price of the book is the best investment you will make. The book was short and easy to read with very helpful diagrams. Also, I spoke to Jack and he was readily accessible and super helpful. Good luck!

I am in the process of getting estimates for a full basement waterproofing job. I would be very lost without this book. The author does a good job of explaining the advantages and disadvantages of inside systems and outside systems. The proper materials and the proper installation of those materials is discussed. I am looking at getting the inside system installed because it handles water below the floor as well as the water coming through the walls.

A note about sheet drain. Sheet drain might be called strip drain if you look for it at Lowe's. It looks like the same plastic multiple hollow peg material that the author outlines in the book. At my local Lowe's, it comes in 50ft long rolls that are 6in wide.

I'll have to consult with the author about strip drain.
Yes, the author responds to his email.

Not being a mechanically inclined person, I found this book to be exteremly helpful and informative. Masters walks you step by step through the process, complete with diagrams and explanations. FOr my application, I knew I needed an exterior approach, and had a basic idea of the steps involved but not all of the specifics (e.g. I realized Visqueen is required, but I didnt know 9 mil was suggested). These little "hints" helps the do-it-yourself or in my case, the person seeking a professional contractor not fall victim to some con job. Prior to getting this book, I already had four waterproofing contractors give me totally different stories on how to do it. Now I will use Masters checklist of questions and DEMAND the job is performed correctly. The price of the book seems expensive for the size, but it is money well spent considering the content. If you are anticipating a waterproofing job on your house, I would recommend getting this book.

Not only does this book do a great job of explaining waterproofing techniques, it prepares you for what you should expect from contractors providing quotes, both good and bad.

Without this book as a guide, I probably would have folded to the hard sell tactics used by the first contractor I had out. Almost word for word to the examples in the book, this particular contractor attempted to pressure me to sign then and there before I had a chance to shop around.

I feel confident that I will now pick the right contractor to tackle my basement.


The author was also available to me via email to answer some of my questions.