Very Wet Basement in Effingham, IL
This basement in Effingham, IL had an alarming amount of water leaking in during downpours. Water came into the basement through the foundation and ledge walls. The homeowners stored belongings in the basement but they were repeatedly getting damaged by the water getting in. Water breaks down organic materials like plywood and cardboard boxes which can provide a food source for mold growth. Moist basement conditions are also perfect for fostering mold growth. Musty basement smells and mold spores can travel through the home due to the stack effect. The stack effect is the normal circulation of air through the home as warm air rises to the attic and leaves a vacuum that draws air upward from the basement. This means the air from the wet, musty basement is being breathed in by homeowners and their families on every level of the home.
Cracked Walls and Floors Allow Flooding in Effingham, IL
Hydrostatic pressure is the major cause of water issues in basements. Rainy weather saturates the soil around the basement and puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the foundation. Water will find the path of least resistance so any weak points, like cracks or joints between foundation walls and floors, can allow a significant amount of water to leak into a basement. This Effingham, IL basement had cracks and joints along the ledge walls and foundation floors that gave water the perfect avenue to flood the basement. Wet basements like this one can be completely unusable because anything stored there might become damaged and any basement finishings will get ruined.
CleanSpace Moisture Barrier Installed in Effingham, IL Basement
Woods installed CleanSpace over the ledge and foundation walls of this Effingham, IL basement. CleanSpace is a durable plastic moisture barrier. It prevents moisture from entering the basement through weak points in the walls. It guides the moisture down to the drainage system below. Drainage matting was installed under the CleanSpace on top of the ledge walls. Drainage matting has a dimpled design to provide channels for water coming through the walls to go over the ledge wall and down to the drainage system. It also gives the basement walls a cleaner and brighter appearance.
WaterGuard Drainage System Installed in Effingham, IL
To help alleviate the hydrostatic pressure on the foundation walls and floors of this Effingham, IL basement, Woods installed the WaterGuard drainage system. WaterGuard is installed under the cement floors along the perimeter of the basement. It gives the water a path of least resistance and collects that water with its wall flanges and channel holes. It guides the water to the sump pump for removal. Other drainage systems are installed along the concrete footing or on the exterior of the foundation which puts them in a position to be clogged by mud and other debris, making them ineffective. WaterGuard is situated on top of the concrete footing to keep it out of the way of mud that might clog it.
TripleSafe Protects Basement from Water in Effinham, IL
Woods installed the TripleSafe in the basement of this Effingham, IL home. The TripleSafe contains three powerful cast-iron pumps, including a battery back up pump, within its airtight sealed sump liner. It collects the water from the WaterGuard and ejects it from the basement through its discharge lines. The pumps sit at different levels within the sump liner so if the primary pump is unable to keep up with the amount of water flooding in, the secondary pump will kick into action to keep the water at bay and the basement dry. If the power goes out, the battery back up protects the basement from water and can pump up to 11,000 gallons out of the basement on its charge.