Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Waterproofing a Finished Basement on a Lake in Vicksburg, MI

Our customer called when his mother-in-law's house - which is on a lake - had constant water issues in the finished basement. When the water level in the lake rose, water invaded the basement and despite there being a sump pump, the carpet was constantly saturated. They needed a permanent solution to keep the basement dry to avoid future problems. We installed a full perimeter of WaterGuard below-floor drain, as well as both Super Sump and Ultra Sump pumps and a SaniDry dehumidifier to keep any ambient moisture under control.

Signs of Water Leaking on Wall

Staining on the unfinished wall gives us a good idea that water is also coming in behind the finishes.

Wet Carpet in Lake House Basement

A basement that is finished but not waterproofed is a dangerous thing; not only will it take longer for you to notice the water, but how much of your stuff will get ruined before you realize?

Wall Damage in Flooded Basement

Water damage often shows up in finished basements as bubbling paint or warped wood. Here, you can see the bubbling present near the floor.

More Bubbling Paint in Wet Basement

Multiple walls in the basement had this kind of damage, pointing to a widespread problem.

Wet Carpet Around Fireplace

If the carpet around the fireplace is wet, that means the bookshelf on the carpet is wet, which means you're adding to the things that need to be replaced.

Removing Perimeter of Slab for WaterGuard Installation

In order to install a below-floor drain, you need to get...below the floor. This involves jackhammering out the perimeter of the slab, then replacing the concrete after the system is installed.

A View from the Installation

Here's a perspective shot from the valley created by removing the perimeter of the slab.

Working Around Existing Fixtures

As you can see, we can install the WaterGuard system around existing features, like this fireplace.

WaterGuard Installation in Progress

Here, the WaterGuard track is laid and secured before pouring new concrete.

Concrete Restored After WaterGuard Installation

Once everything is in place, we pour new concrete to restore the floor.

FloodRing Prevents Appliance Flooding

By installing a FloodRing around any appliances known for water issues, we can route the water into the WaterGuard system rather than letting it pour out onto the floor.

TrenchDrain Keeps High Water Areas Dry

By installing the TrenchDrain system in areas of high water influx, like doorways and the bottom of staircases, we can prevent backup flooding with the large grates that immediately disperse water to the connected WaterGuard system.

Old Sump Pump vs. New Sump Pump

Clearly the existing sump pump wasn't doing the job, so we installed two more (due to the size and layout of the basement) to stay proactive dealing with the water.

Discharge Line Keeps Water Diverted from House

By extending the discharge to work with the grade of the lawn, we can make sure water isn't getting discharged only to soak right back into the foundation.

IceGuard Prevents Winter Water Backups

When discharge lines freeze, water can back up into the basement. But IceGuard prevents this by forcing water out through the grate shown.

Lawnscape Outlet Allows Safe Discharge Burial

By installing a Lawnscape outlet, we allow for burial of the discharge line, which eliminates trip hazards and landscaping headaches.

ThermalDry Plank Flooring Gives the Look of Hardwood

Our new plank version of our ThermalDry flooring (vs traditional tiles) gives a hardwood floor look, but with the benefits of being waterproof and raising the temperature of the floor due to the thermal deck in the flooring.