Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Evart, MI - Walkout Basement on Lake Saved by WaterGuard

Our customers called because their lakefront, walkout basement was becoming a wet problem. They'd never had a sump pump but thought it might be time for one, as they were tired of mopping up water already and it was only March. We found water coming from a wall and the floor and installed WaterGuard and a SuperSump pump with extra discharge line to get the water as far away from the entry points as possible. Now our customer has the convenience of a walkout basement without a walk-in lake.

DIY Crack Repair Fails to Waterproof Evart Home

At some point in the history of the house, someone tried to stop water from seeping through the floor by applying some sort of crack sealant - likely something rubber-based - and it didn't work. Water is persistent; nothing from Target is going to stop it.

Water Damage in Evart Basement

Water damage is evident on the lowest blocks and floor of this basement. Staining like this occurs after constant and consistent leaking.

Graded Lawn Adds to Water Problems

With the landscaping graded to slope down toward the basement, water issues are more likely.

Water Issues Lead to Gross Basement

Standing water or constant leaks can cause mold and just general grossness.

Mold in Basement

Speaking of mold and grossness, check out this corner. Bubbling and peeling paint is another red flag for water issues, and standing water has caused mold on the floor.

Removing the Floor for WaterGuard

In order to install a below-floor drain system like WaterGuard, we have to...well...go below the floor. We accomplish this by drilling out a perimeter of the floor, which we'll restore by pouring new concrete after the WaterGuard is installed.

WaterGuard Installation in Progress

After a portion of the floor has been removed, we can install the WaterGuard track and drainage stone.

WaterGuard Installation is Complete with New Concrete

Once the WaterGuard track is in place, we pour new concrete and bam - the floor is as good as new. And the basement is better than new, because now it doesn't leak.

Discharge Line Shuttles Water Outside

We installed an extra long discharge line in order to release the water at a low point in the landscaping and avoid it just funneling right back into the basement. Shown here is the point where the line goes outside of the house.

Super Sump Proactively Removes Water from Wet Basement

Instead of hoping the water will just sink into the ground (which clearly wasn't happening here), the WaterGuard is tied into a Super Sump pump, which will actively discharge it through the installed discharge line and into the yard.