Block Wall Leaks Profusely
All it took was a steady rain for this Edwardsville, Illinois basement to flood. The leaky block walls were no match for the hydrostatic pressure that had built up in the saturated soil outside.
Floor Drain? Yes. Sump Pump? No.
This basement certainly had a floor drain, but it lacked any kind of waterproofing system. No drainage system, no sump pump, nothing draining the leaky block walls. Items stored in the basement always got wet, and the homeowners never could use the basement for anything.
Edwardsville Mold Fest
Leaking every time it rained, this basement also suffered from mold issues. Mold growing on the paint on the walls, mold thriving on the wet wood framing of the basement. Talk about allergies.
Negative-Side Waterproofing At Its Finest
Some homeowners attempt to seal the water out from the inside of the basement. In this case, a previous homeowner attempted to seal mortar joint cracks in the block walls with spray foam—which, unfortunately, just doesn't work.