Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Waterproofing Walls and Floors
When water leaks into a home, it's usually through two places. The first place water leaks into basements through is the tiny gap between the floor and the wall. Water sinks into the ground around the home and builds up against the foundation walls. If the water levels rise high enough, the water will rise from below the house and enter the home from below. The second place is through cracks in the wall. The water in the ground around the home will press against the walls, where it can cause cracking and damage. Once the walls are cracked, the water will leak in slowly and trickle down the wall or soak things that are up against the foundation wall.
For this home in Sappington, MO., water was leaking into the basement through both of these locations. To protect the basement from these leaks, a waterproofing system was needed that would stop leaks from below the floor and through the wall at the same time. The answer was to install the waterproofing dream team; WaterGuard™ and CleanSpace™.
WaterGuard™ is a perimeter drainage system that is installed just beneath the floor. From here, WaterGuard™ can catch the water rising from below before it has a chance to enter the basement. Thanks to an extension that reaches above the floor along the wall, WaterGuard™ can also be tied into the CleanSpace™ system to protecte against leaks through the walls as well.
CleanSpace™ is a waterproofing liner that was originally developed to protect crawlspaces from the dangers of water and water vapor, but has been adapted to be installed along walls as well. This tear-proof liner is permanently secured to the wall, sealing water on the back side of its surface and keeping the inside dry. Any water that leaks through the walls gets blocked by CleanSpace™ and funelled down into the WaterGuard™ system so that it can be taken to the sump pump.
With these two systems in place, the home is protected from water leaks that seep into the basement through the floor or through cracks in the wall. All that's left now it to seal the crawlspace in a similar manner to fully protect the home from outside leaks.
WaterGuard™ with CleanSpace™
CleanSpace™ will block any leaks coming through the walls and drain them into the WaterGuard™ system to keep the home dry and protected. Once they are installed, the floor and finished walls can be replaced, hiding them from view.
Around Corners
WaterGuard™ is a customizable waterproofing solution that can be adapted to fit around corners as well as adapt to other obstructions in the home such as plumbing pipes or electrical lines that run down the wall and beneath the floor.
Into the Sump Pump
WaterGuard™ will carry the water it collects to this sump pump so that it can be safely pumped out of the home rather than leaking into it.
Harmful Cracks
These cracks in this foundation wall can leak water into the basement. While patching the cracks is a great way to start, not all patches are permanent. By adding CleanSpace™ along the wall, any leaks through these cracks will be blocked from entering the home by the tough vapor barrier.
Leaking Crack
This crack in a foundation wall shows signs of leaking water. Fortunately, WaterGuard™ reaches up the wall slightly to catch these leaks before they can reach the floor and puddle up.
The Next Project
Protecting the home from leaks in the basement is important, but so it protecting the crawlspace. This crawlspace is susceptible to water damage and can degrade the health of the strucure as a whole.
