Hairline Cracks Spelling Trouble For Paw Paw, MI Basement

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017 by Brian Bigger

Challenge

Greg was experiencing water coming into his basement in a small amount from the cove joint where the floor and walls meet. This would generally call for a simple WaterGuard french drain solution, however, Greg was also seeing water come up in other more centrally located areas of the basement through hairline cracks. The WaterGuard system would capture water from the walls and cove joint along the perimeter of the basement but would not be effective in stopping water from seeping up through the ground, through the hairline cracks in the middle of the basement and puddling in the central rooms. Greg needed a solution that would protect both areas.

Solution

We installed the WaterGuard french drain system around the outside of the basement to protect the perimeter. This was done by removing a small area of concrete around the base of the walls to expose the home's footing, setting the WaterGuard drain system down in this trench, leveling off around the drain with drainage stone, and replacing the concrete over top. The drain inconspicuously navigates water to the sump pump for safe removal from the home. To protect from areas of high water in the middle of the basement, cross tile pvc was laid in the ground with drainage stone filled in around it. Concrete was then replaced over top. The cross tile pvc ties into the WaterGuard system so that any moisture captured under the basement by this cross tile pvc, along with the moisture in the WaterGuard system, would be directed to the sump pump. All areas of this basement should now drain safely and the carpet, building materials, and Greg's possessions will be safe from water damage.