Hidden Leaks in Creal Springs, IL Basement
This Creal Springs, IL basement had hidden leaks coming from the foundation walls behind the wood paneling. Water can rot organic materials like wood paneling which is why it's so important to waterproof a basement before finishing it. Wet, humid conditions and organic materials can also foster mold growth. The homeowner's small, store-bought dehumidifier was ineffective at keeping the relative humidity low in a large space like a basement. Mold spores and other allergens can get into the rest of the home due to the stack effect. The stack effect is the normal circulation of air through the home caused by warm air and escaping through the attic which creates a vacuum that draws air upwards from the basement. This means that whatever air from the wet, musty basement is breathed by the homeowners and their family on every level of the home.
Water Damage from Floor Joint Leaks in Creal Springs, IL
As exemplified in this Creal Springs, IL basement, the lower half of foundation walls are the most susceptible to leaks. Water finds the path of least resistance to get into the basement which is often the gap between the foundation walls and concrete footing. Drainage systems that sit along the the concrete footing or on the exterior of the home do little to prevent these leaks because they often become clogged by silt and plant roots. Any wooden framing or drywalls installed over the bottom half of the walls can rot and be water damaged and carpeted floors will be soaked. Repairing water damage ends up costing the homeowner more on top of the cost of finishing the basement. Woods recommends waterproofing a basement before finishing to avoid this type of damage.
CleanSpace and WaterGuard Catch Leaks from Foundation in Creal Springs, IL Basement
Woods installed a waterproofing system in this Creal Springs, IL basement to alleviate the water problem. CleanSpace was installed over the foundation walls. CleanSpace is a thick, durable plastic vapor barrier that prevents moisture from entering the basement through the foundation walls. It guides moisture down to the drainage system below. It also gives the basement a brighter, cleaner appearance. Woods installed the WaterGuard drainage system under the cement floors along the perimeter of the basement. WaterGuard sits on top of the concrete footing, unlike the other systems, so it will remain free of debris. It collects water from the foundation walls and floors of the basement using wall flanges and channel holes and then drains it to the sump pump for removal.
TripleSafe and SaniDry Keep Creal Springs, IL Basement Dry
Woods installed the TripleSafe in this Creal Springs, IL basement to accept the water from the WaterGuard and eject it safely out of the basement through its discharge lines. The TripleSafe contains three pumps that sit at different levels within its airtight sealed sump liner. The primary pump can easily handle a normal volume of water but if it fails or if there is a higher water flow, the secondary pump will automatically kick into action to protect the basement from severe weather. In the event that there is a power outages, the battery back up pump can remove up to 11,000 gallons of water from the basement on a fully charged battery. Woods replaced the small, store-bought dehumidifier with the SaniDry. The SaniDry uses as much energy as the smaller unit but is much more powerful. It can remove up to a 109 pints of water from basement air in a day. It prevents musty smells and keeps relative humidity low so conditions are inhospitable for mold growth.
IceGuards Prevent Discharge Back Ups During Winter in Creal Springs, IL
The discharge lines on the exterior of this Creal Springs, IL home may become frozen in the cold Midwestern winter months. This blocks the water from being pumped out of the basement by the TripleSafe and could cause a flood. To prevent this from happening, Woods installed IceGuards on the discharge lines. IceGuards allow water to flow normally through it when discharge lines are unblocked but if they become frozen, the slotted openings in the IceGuards give water an alternative escape route into the yard.