Blair County Basement Waterproofing Guide (2026)

Updated October 22, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency listed before you start work.

Quick reference

Topic	What to know	Source
Contractor registration	Required for contractors doing $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year	PA Office of Attorney General
Written contract	Required when the price is over $500	PA Office of Attorney General
Cancel a contract	Within three business days of signing, without penalty	PA Office of Attorney General
Contractor insurance	At least $50,000 personal injury and $50,000 property damage liability	PA Office of Attorney General
Before digging	Call 811 at least three business days ahead	PA Public Utility Commission
Altoona permits	Foundation repair needs a city building permit	City of Altoona
Indoor humidity	Below 60%, ideally 30% to 50%	U.S. EPA

Why does water find Altoona basements?

Altoona sits in a valley at the foot of the Allegheny Front. The U.S. Geological Survey's folio on the Hollidaysburg and Huntingdon quadrangles describes the valley from opposite Hollidaysburg through Altoona as Logan Valley, the eastern foothill zone of the Allegheny Front, with ridges generally held up by hard sandstone. Around Hollidaysburg, the folio identifies the Clinton formation, mainly shale, as the dominant bedrock, overlain by clay shale of the McKenzie formation. The National Park Service's geologic summary for the nearby Allegheny Portage Railroad site adds that clay-rich shale and mudstone are prone to fail on steep slopes. Put together: water comes off higher ground, much of the rock and soil beneath it doesn't drain quickly, and houses on slopes catch runoff on their uphill walls.

Does limestone matter here?

In parts of Pennsylvania underlain by limestone and dolostone, water dissolves the rock along fractures and forms karst, including sinkholes, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. DCNR notes that stormwater management affects those systems. If your property is in a limestone area and you notice ground settling or a new depression near the house, ask about it before water is directed there, and don't assume a waterproofing company is the right expert for a sinkhole.

Who can do the work, and what should the contract say?

Waterproofing is home improvement work, so Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act applies. According to the Office of Attorney General:

Contractors who do $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year must register with the Attorney General.
Registered contractors must show their PA registration number on contracts, estimates, proposals and advertisements.
Registration requires proof of at least $50,000 in personal injury liability and $50,000 in property damage liability coverage.
Contracts over $500 must be in writing, and the homeowner gets a complete copy.
The homeowner may cancel within three business days of signing without penalty.
No payment may be demanded or taken before the contract is signed, and the law also limits down payments on larger projects.

You can look up a contractor's registration on the Attorney General's website. Registration isn't a guarantee of quality, so still ask for references and a detailed written scope.

Do I need a permit?

In the City of Altoona, the Codes and Inspections Department lists repairing a foundation among the projects that need a building permit, along with removing or cutting load-bearing supports; plumbing and electrical work need their own permits. Outside the city, ask your borough or township office what it requires. The contract should say whether a permit is needed and who will get it.

What about digging outside?

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission says homeowners and contractors must call 811 at least three business days before any digging. PA One Call then notifies utilities so they can mark their buried lines. Exterior waterproofing, footer drains and buried downspout or sump lines all count.

How dry should the basement be?

The U.S. EPA recommends indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent, and says water-damaged areas and items should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. It also recommends grading soil away from the foundation and keeping gutters clean and repaired, which are the cheapest fixes to try first.

Questions to ask a waterproofing company

What's your PA home improvement registration number?
Where exactly is the water coming in, and how does your fix address that?
Does this need a permit, and will you pull it?
Where will drain and pump water discharge?
If you find structural problems, what happens to the price and plan?
What does the warranty cover, for how long, and does it transfer to a buyer?

Common questions

Do basement waterproofing contractors need to register in Pennsylvania?

Yes, if they do $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year. They register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and must show the PA registration number on contracts and ads.

How long do I have to cancel a home improvement contract in PA?

Three business days from signing, without penalty, under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act.

Do I need to call 811 before exterior waterproofing?

Yes. Pennsylvania requires homeowners and contractors to call 811 at least three business days before digging.

Blair County basement waterproofing guide (2026)