Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Waterproofing a Grand Rapids, MI Home on a Low Water Table

Living near a high water table is like starting an inning with two outs. There's just always ground water hanging out, seeping into your basement. Our customer had a basement that flooded every time it rained or the snow thawed and had pretty much constant water due to the water table. His basement got progressively worse over the years, with the floor cracking and the walls growing mold and even mushrooms. We installed a full perimeter waterproofing system with the WaterGuard below-floor drain, as well as multiple sections of Cross Tile to create a sort of superhighway to the SuperSump sump pump. We finished off the system with IceGuard and a LawnScape Outlet on the discharge line, and now the basement can show the water table who's boss. Sans mushrooms.

Flooded, Moldy Grand Rapids Basement

Well, this basement is gross. Constant water problems led the floor to erode and mold to grow in the corners.

Laying WaterGuard Around the Perimeter of the Basement

After the perimeter of the floor is removed and drainage stone is poured, we can place the WaterGuard track.

WaterGuard Installation in Progress

After laying out the WaterGuard, we secure it with a special tape to prevent movement under the concrete and ensure smooth water flow.

WaterGuard and Cross Tile Installation in Progress

With such severe water problems in this section of the basement, including water that was just coming up through the floor cracks, we installed Cross Tile in addition to the WaterGuard to help funnel it to the SuperSump.

Basement Waterproofing in Progress

Here we can see the WaterGuard track and tape, Cross Tile, and the first part of the SuperSump installation in progress.

Discharge Lines Carry Water Away from House

It's important to move the water away from the house, lest it just soak back in at the foundation and end up in an endless cycle of flooding.

Buried Discharge Line Restores Yard

After the discharge line is in place, we can replace the excavated soil and make sure the yard is back to being level and safe to walk through.

Cross Tile System After New Concrete

Once new concrete is poured to restore the floor, it's in better shape than it was before the work was done.

New Concrete in WaterGuard Installation

New concrete is poured over the WaterGuard in order to put the floor back in order (don't worry, it'll lighten as it dries). This is why we install inspection ports in order to access the track.

SuperSump Provides Reliable Water Removal

Unlike the previous solution - a floor drain that regularly backed up into the basement because the surrounding soil was already oversaturated - the new SuperSump will proactively pump water out into the yard via discharge lines.

Formerly Terrifying Basement Corner Restored

What was once murky and moldy and literally falling apart has been not only waterproofed, but also improved with new concrete. Note the inspection port that allows easy access to the track for maintenance.