Basement Waterproofing in O'Fallon, IL

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 by Jordan Link

Challenge

Sally N. of O'Fallon, Illinois, had a basement that leaked every time it rained. She called Woods Basement Systems, where Systems Design Specialist Kevin Estes came out to design a solution based on Sally's needs. She needed a solution that would fix the leaking problem in the basement.

Solution

The best solution for Sally was to install the WaterGuard® drainage system, a TripleSafe™ sump pump system, and a CleanSpace® vapor barrier.

Foreman Mason Sykes and his team performed the installations. The process began with the preparation of the sump pump pit. The team prepared the area for the TripleSafe™ sump pump. After the area was prepared. the team jack-hammered the floor around the perimeter of the basement. They cleaned the concrete shards and dust from the area and laid a layer of small river rocks down. The drainage pipes were laid down over the top connecting to the sump pump pit. To back-fill the remaining area, the team placed more river rocks down. Fresh cement was poured and leveled around the perimeter to provide a smooth finish.

The TripleSafe™ sump pump was then installed. This pump includes a primary pump and secondary pump, set on stands of different heights, ensuring the second pump will only operate in extreme circumstances. Also included is a battery back-up pump, which operates during power outages in severe storms. The discharge lines were installed through the top of the basement wall and to the outside, where the team installed IceGuard, a discharge port, before going under the ground again and exiting farther away from the home. The IceGuard ports are necessary in the winter. If the discharge lines were to freeze, the water would have to go somewhere, and that means backing up into the basement. The IceGuard is installed right outside the home, so if the pipes freeze, the water can still exit the home.

The next step in the process was the installation of the CleanSpace® vapor barrier. The vapor barrier was mechanically fastened to the wall to prevent it from falling down, and was fixated over the WaterGuard® drainage system, to ensure any moisture coming through the hollow concrete walls would be directed to the drainage system to be pumped out by the TripleSafe™ sump pump.

The project was completed, and Sally now has a basement more secure and waterproof.

Project Summary

Systems Design Specialist: Kevin Estes

Primary Foreman: Mason Sykes

After water entered the basement, it collected around the perimeter, as it took its time getting to the drain on the opposite side.

The basement didn't flood, thanks to this drain, but the water traveled across the basement every time it rained, leaving a trail across the basement.

The wet cement here shows where the WaterGuard® drainage system was installed, unlike the first photo that showed the water collecting around the perimeter. The wall flange of the WaterGuard® can be seen here, which collects water coming down the walls, through the walls. Openings on the back collect water coming from underneath the foundation.

The TripleSafe™ sump pump makes sure the water entering the basement doesn't collect above ground, and is immediately transported outside the home through the discharge lines. The battery for the battery back-up is situated near the sump pump waiting to function. During a power outage in a severe storm, this battery back-up sump pump could save a home's basement.

Outside, the IceGuard was installed, which is an inexpensive way to prevent water from backing up into the basement if the discharge lines freeze in the winter.

The CleanSpace® was the last product to be installed, and will direct any water coming down or through the walls to the drainage system. Sally mentioned when it rains heavily, water seeps through the walls. This CleanSpace® vapor barrier, coupled with the WaterGuard® system, will prevent that water from accumulating in the basement.

About the author

Jordan Link

Jordan Link lives in the St. Louis Metro-East area and serves as a Marketing Specialist for an industry-leading home improvement contractor and as a Sales Trainer for a multi-national retail corporation. Jordan provides quality email marketing campaigns and web content that transcend the competition, inspire clients, and develop new business.

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Basement Waterproofing in O'Fallon, IL

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