Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Restoring a Wet Finished Basement in Muskegon Heights, MI

When our customer called, they had never seen standing water in their finished basement, but it had always been extremely damp. High humidity can be as damaging as flooding when it comes to ruining finishes and causing mold, so they wanted their basement waterproofed and the damaged wood panels replaced with something water resistant. We installed WaterGuard to take care of the water coming in through the walls and floor, a new Super Sump pump to discharge the water, and put Brightwall panels on the walls to provide a finished look with extra waterproofing power.

Warping and Mold on Wood Paneling

One of the stressful things about wood paneling (or any non-waterproof wall covering) is that you don't know what's happening behind it). The white debris you can see at the bottom of the walls is a sign of mold, and the walls themselves are warped and discolored from water.

Signs of Water Damage on Wall Panels

This white staining is a good indication of where water is coming through - as it soaks through the wood panels, mold can grow.

Mold on Unfinished Wall

The mold and staining on this unfinished wall (side note: that crack is likely an entry point) hint at what's happening behind the wood paneling.

Heavy Water Damage in Finished Basement

It's clear from the mold on the panels and the staining in the corner that this is one of the major water entry and pooling points.

Wood Panels Peel in Wet Basement

In addition to warping and discoloring the wood paneling, water can also peel it right apart.

Removing the Floor for WaterGuard Installation

In order to install a below-floor drain, we have to actually get below the floor. This is achieved by jackhammering out a perimeter of the concrete and then pouring new cement after the system is in place.

Super Sump Discharges Water Efficiently

A waterproofing system is all but useless without a sump pump. By installing the Super Sump at the low point of the basement and tying it into the WaterGuard, we can ensure that all water is collected and discharged.

WaterGuard and Brightwall Give Extra Waterproofing Power

In addition to the WaterGuard drain system collecting and routing water, our Brightwall panels can be tied into the WaterGuard to direct incoming water to it. Plus they're a nice clean white finish instead of warped wood paneling - upgrade!