Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Finding the Right Waterproofing Solution for a Reed City Home

Jim called us after seeing us at a home show in Traverse City - his neighbor had work done by us and loved it, so he wanted us to take care of his problem, too. He and his wife were unsure of whether they were going to sell their home or expand it to accommodate their growing family, but they knew that the leaking basement had to be fixed either way. At Ayers, we make sure our proposal is the right size for your goals. Maybe you just want the basement dry, or maybe you want it dry AND ready for finishing, or maybe you're somewhere in between. In this case, we installed a perimeter WaterGuard below-floor drain system along with a sump pump and Brightwall panels to spruce up and protect a leaking wall. And in the spring, Jim might have us revisit to take care of a few other problems that should be addressed, but didn't need to be done today.

Peeling Paint is a Sign of Leaks

Bubbling and peeling paint occur when water leaks through the concrete walls.

Ineffective Floor Drain Can't Pull Water

Floor drains are helpful, but they aren't ideal. This is mostly because you have to rely on gravity and blind hope that the water will actually funnel toward the drain, which is rarely the case. The answer is a sump pump.

Water Damage in Corner

More bubbling paint and discoloration are evident in the concentration of the corner. This often happens when water is coming through the walls and floor.

Heavy Water Damage from Standing Water

With standing water, especially in corners, you see heavy staining because it has nowhere to go. This is why we recommend a perimeter system to drain and direct the water to the sump pump.

Closeup of Peeling Paint on Bowed Wall

This wall was slightly bowing - we're looking at fixing that in the spring - and had water leaking from it.

New Sump Pump Proactively Removes Water from Basement

This pump has two motors and a battery backup to ensure that it runs even in the event of a power outage. Much more reliable than the floor drain.

Discharge Lines Direct Water Away from House

We install discharge lines to work with the grading of your lawn and encourage water away from the house, rather than expelling it right at your foundation so it can immediately sink back in.

WaterGuard System Allows for Water Drainage

Here, you can see how the Brightwall panels are tied into the WaterGuard. When water enters the system, instead of just languishing on the floor it will be directed to the sump pump and whisked away outside.

Closeup of WaterGuard Installation

Here, you can see the WaterGuard system a little closer.

Brightwall Panels Give Basement a Clean Look

Brightwall panels are a great way to spruce up your basement while you decide if, and how, you want to finish it. They're water-resistant and inorganic, so they're not going to get ruined by water, and they tie right into the WaterGuard system to allow water to drain.