Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Repairing Leaky Cracks in Foundation Walls

This home in Perryville, MO. had several large, leaky cracks in the foundation walls in the basement. These cracks had become problematic over time, as they continued to leak and crack despite attempts to repair them.   This is a common problem in this region, as soil conditions in the Midwest can cause sustantial amounts of pressure and wall movement. This pressure from the soil can cause the walls to shift slightly, which will often re-crack repairs that were made to the wall. That's because these repairs are often rigid and inflexible, so they will break down over time with the pressures of the wall and soil (and water.)   To properly fix these cracks, Dave P. from Woods Basement Systems installed a comprehensive waterproofing system that would block leaks, patch cracks and redirect water from around the basement back outside. The first step was to install a drainage system that would act as a sort of highway for any water that would otherwise leak inside to be directed to the sump pump. This drainage system included WaterGuard™ which would collect water from below the floor before it could leak into the basement, as well as collect water from the walls before it could pool up on the floor. Where WaterGuard™ wasn't appropriate, a tube was installed beneath the floor that would allow water to be transported to the rest of the drainage system so it could also be pumped out of the home.    Next, the cracks were covered. Dave P. used FlexiSpan™, a tough but flexible cover that can permanently block leaks. It works by sealing the crack and adding a channel behind the surface of the wall that allows any water that builds up around that crack to drain down behind FlexiSpan's™ surface. Water drains down into the WaterGuard™ system or other drainage system instead of building up and causing enough pressure to re-damage the concrete or create new leaks or cracks. All the while, the surface of FlexiSpan™ will remain dry and crack-free.   These cracks won't bother the homeowners anymore now that they have been permanently fixed with the help of WaterGuard™ and FlexiSpan™.