Basement flooring reccomendations? (tile, cost, floor)

[MillerTyme]

After having water in the basement for the 3rd time in 2 years im ready to replace the carpet down there and go with ceramic tiles, i have a couple of questions someone might be able to help me out with.
1. Any recommendations as to what to put under the tiles? Concrete sealant?
2. Would the person i get to do the tiles in the basement be the same person who would do the sealing?
3. Any recommendations as to who to use for either (or both) of the above jobs?

Basically i have 2 issues, the first is water coming up from the floor through the foundation and the other is water coming in physically from the outside if the drain gets backed up, so i was thinking the sealing and tiling would be a good option to try to reduce the headache of dealing with this problem. I also eat/drink down there reasonably frequently so the tile would be beneficial in that sense as well and the "coldness" issue doesnt bother me.

Any other random insights/experiences would be helpful also

[Galicia#1]

Sounds like you need a French drain.

[ocngypz]

I would take care of the drainage issues before anything else.

[twingles]

I wouldn't seal up the floor if you get water coming up from there when it rains. Correct that problem first. The water has to go somewhere....at least now you know where it's happening and going.

[VanillaEps]

Tile, tile, and tile. I anguished over the decision to tile or carpet my basement because of they cost to tile. Tile saved me from ripping out my carpet and having to install it again from Friday night's rain.

And, yes, drainage. When all was said and done, the reason why I got water in my basement was because my gutters were clogged, my downspouts were not pointed off the property, and because I did not topsoil and grade the topsoil off my foundation.

All that is being down now as we speak.

[MillerTyme]

Probably was not clear on the first post, I'm going to get the root of the problem before replacing the flooring.