Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Drying Up a Wet Basement in Lansing, MI

Our customer called with water in her partly finished basement and a sump pump that just wasn't doing the job. She was concerned about what lurked behind the wall paneling, considering the state of the unfinished section, and wanted to avoid the ongoing water problems. We installed a full perimeter of our WaterGuard below-floor drain, including IceGuard to prevent cold-weather backups and a LawnScape outlet to allow water discharge without interfering with the landscaping. We also replaced the outdated sump pump with a new Super Sump to ensure the water is discharged quickly and efficiently.

Water Damage on Basement Walls

Note the staining and efflorescence on the walls - both are signs of consistent, long-term water leaks.

Sludge in Sump Pump

Sludge and debris in the sump pump hinder its efficiency.

Water Damage in Unfinished Section of Basement

This basement was partially finished, and this is what the walls looked like in the unfinished section - holy water damage, Batman. It made our customer worry about what was happening in the finished section that she couldn't see.

Water Damaged Paneling

Warping and discoloration are major signs of water in a finished basement.

Warping Baseboard in Waterlogged Basement

Since water tends to collect at the join of walls and the floor, the baseboard is a good place to look for warping and debris.

Inefficient Sump Pump

Having an open sump pump leaves it vulnerable to debris and damage.

Floor Restored After WaterGuard Installation

After the system is installed, we pour new concrete to bring the floor back to its original state.

Super Sump Removes Water Efficiently

The Super Sump pump, which has a cover to protect the mechanism from debris or damage, is tied into the WaterGuard system in order to quickly and efficiently discharge water outside.

Burying the Discharge Line

Installing a LawnScape outlet - which you can see on the left side of the photo - allows us to bury the discharge line so it doesn't interfere with your lawn.

WaterGuard Installation in Progress

After the track is installed, we tape everything down to ensure it stays put as new concrete is poured.

Floor Removal for WaterGuard Installation

In order to install a below-floor drain system, we have to access...below the floor. We use a jackhammer to remove a perimeter of the floor, and pour new concrete to restore it later.