About 59% of occupied homes in Annapolis were built before 1980, and about 14% were built in 1939 or earlier, according to Census Bureau figures (American Community Survey, 2020-2024). Annapolis MD Basement Waterproofing explains what an older house adds to a wet basement and what the City asks for before work on one.
The Short Answer
Older walls, joints, gutters and drains have had decades of weather behind them, so more places can let water in, and some older exteriors sit in the Historic District, where exterior projects need a certificate of approval. The cause is still found the same way: look outside first, then at the wall.
How Old Annapolis Homes Are
The table shows when the 17,998 occupied homes in Annapolis city were built (American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, Table S2504). These are estimates with margins of error, so read them as approximate.
| Year built | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1939 or earlier | 2,514 | 14.0% |
| 1940 to 1959 | 2,533 | 14.1% |
| 1960 to 1979 | 5,652 | 31.4% |
| 1980 to 1999 | 4,249 | 23.6% |
| 2000 to 2009 | 1,922 | 10.7% |
| 2010 to 2019 | 898 | 5.0% |
| 2020 or later | 230 | 1.3% |
About 41% of occupied homes are detached houses and about 25% are attached houses such as townhouses. About 21% are in buildings with 10 or more apartments. The Census table does not say which homes have basements or crawl spaces, so we do not assume.
What Age Adds to Basement Water
The NOAA climate normals for the Annapolis NAF, MD station (1991-2020) record 43.99 inches of precipitation a year. Over decades, a basement wall sees a lot of that. Gutters and downspouts wear out, grades settle toward the house and cracks open at joints. The Maryland Geological Survey puts most wet basements down to the foundation, landscaping and grading, not to rising groundwater. An older house has had more years for those causes to develop. Why is my basement wet
What the Foundation Is Made Of
HomeGuide lists the foundation type among the factors that change waterproofing cost: poured concrete is generally cheaper to waterproof than block, and stone is the most expensive. We identify the wall material at the inspection and price from what we find. What basement waterproofing costs in Annapolis
The Historic District and Permits
The City of Annapolis permit page lists constructing, altering or repairing a building and installing or altering a plumbing system among the work that needs a permit (City Code 17.12.022), and says that exterior projects in the Historic District still require a certificate of approval in accordance with Chapter 21.56. Exterior waterproofing means digging and coating the outside of a foundation, so for a house in the Historic District we confirm what is required before we start. Interior work is planned the same way, with the permit question asked first. Exterior basement waterproofing
What We Do for an Older Home
We inspect the gutters, downspouts and grade, then the wall, the joints and the floor edge. We tell you the least invasive fix that works. For an older house that is often drainage and crack sealing inside, or regrading outside, before anything that means excavating. Interior basement waterproofing
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do older Annapolis homes have wet basements?
Older homes have had more years of rain, and gutters, grades and joints wear. The NOAA station records 43.99 inches of precipitation a year. The Maryland Geological Survey names the house foundation, landscaping and grading among the likely causes. We look at each.
Does my house need a certificate of approval to waterproof?
If it is in the Annapolis Historic District and the work is on the exterior, yes. The City says exterior projects in the Historic District still require a certificate of approval in accordance with Chapter 21.56. We confirm what applies to your address before work starts.
Is interior or exterior waterproofing better for an old house?
It depends on where the water enters and what can be reached. Interior drainage usually costs less, according to HomeGuide, and avoids excavation. We recommend based on the inspection. Interior vs exterior waterproofing
Does the foundation material change the price?
Yes. HomeGuide says poured concrete is generally cheaper to waterproof than block, and stone is the most expensive.
How can I tell how old my house is?
Public property records usually list a year built, and the City of Annapolis can help with permit history for an address. The Census figures describe the city, not your house.
