Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Waterproofing a Basement and Crawl Space in Belmont, MI

Our customer called with what she described as "excessive dampness" in her basement. Water entered constantly where the walls and floor meet, and while there was a sump pump, the water level was always very high due to the home's placement between two rivers. There was also a small crawl space on one end of the basement that wasn't entirely dug out and only two feet high. We installed WaterGuard in the basement, with cross tile to ensure all of the water made it to the sump pump. We also installed CleanSpave vapor barrier system with drainage matting in the crawl space and covered the crawl space vent to prevent entry of water and debris.

Wet Dirt Crawl Space

This crawl space wasn't completely dug out, so it was difficult to move around in. It's easy to see dampness on the dirt piles, making it even less pleasant to be around.

Water Staining and Efflorescence on Basement Walls

Heavy, dark staining where the walls meet the floor are a sign of the water's major entry point, but staining all the way to the top of the walls indicates a pervasive problem. The white residue is a sign of efflorescence, which occurs when water travels through concrete blocks, dissolving salts and leaving them on the surface.

Murky Corner in Wet Basement

Heavy water damage in the corner of the basement makes everything murky and gross.

High Water Level in Sump Pump

The existing sump pump was working just fine - it just had a ton of water to contend with. The basement also had multiple low points, which meant that not all of the water was making it to the pump.

CleanSpace Cleans Up Dirt Crawl Space

By installing CleanSpace vapor barrier over the dirt crawl space, we protect the space from ambient moisture and also make it easier to see and walk (well, crawl) on.

WaterGuard Installation in Progress

Drainage stone is poured over the WaterGuard system to help water filter in without overwhelming the system.

Cross Tile Shuttles Water to Sump Pump

Because the basement had multiple low points - i.e. the water won't naturally flow toward the sump pump - we installed cross tile (connected to the WaterGuard) to create a sort of shortcut.