Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Fixing a Wet Kalamazoo, MI Basement Once and For All

Diane called us having done everything she could think of about the water in her basement - except have her basement waterproofed. The roof was replaced, the gutters were replaced, and there was still water in the basement. And, because of the water, there was mold. We installed a full perimeter of WaterGuard below-floor drain system and a Super Sump pump to actually get the water outside and away from the house. BrightWall panels spruced up the walls riddled with the effects of water damage and mold, and to take care of the discovered bowing wall, we used a series of PowerBraces to stabilize and straighten it. Now the water can take a hike, and Diane doesn't have to rack her brain about what else to fix.

Moldy, Wet Kalamazoo Basement

This corner had one of the worst concentrations of mold and water.

Signs of Water Damage on Painted Walls

Peeling paint is a huge sign of water damage in basements. As the water travels through the walls, it takes the paint with it.

Discoloration and Mold in Basement

The area along the floor was another high concentration of mold and water - this wall was also bowing, so the shifting of the wall added to the water flow.

Moldy Insulation in Basement

Ah, our old friend fiberglass insulation. It hangs out in damp areas, absorbing water and acting like a mold smorgasbord, and stops being insulation completely.

PowerBrace Installation in Progress

PowerBraces stabilize the bowing wall, and also allow it to hopefully be straightened over time as the braces are tightened.

Camoflauged Discharge Line Doesn't Interfere with Landscaping

By using a LawnScape outlet on the end of the discharge line, we can bury the line itself. This not only eliminates a trip/lawnmower hazard, but it prevents interference with the landscaping.

Discharge Line

Here's a behind the scenes look at the discharge line before it's buried.

LawnScape Outlet Discharges Water Efficiently

The outlet at the end of the line not only allows for easy discharge of the water, the grated design on top prevents clogging by debris.

WaterGuard Inspection Port Allows Easy Access to System

The port shown on the left allows for quick and easy access to the system for things like annual maintenance.

Removing the Floor for WaterGuard

To install a below-floor drain system, we need to get...below the floor. To do this, we remove the perimeter and then pour new concrete after the WaterGuard is installed.

BrightWall Covers Water Damaged Walls

Not only are BrightWall panels more aesthetically pleasing, they're also waterproof and inorganic, so mold can't grow on them.

WaterGuard Track Installation

The actual WaterGuard system is put in place and secured before we pour new concrete .

Super Sump Removes Water Efficiently

One of the biggest problems wet basements have is a lack of sump pump - by tying the WaterGuard into the new sump, we can make sure the water is proactively removed from the basement before it can become a problem.