Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Waterproofing a Mt. Pleasant Basement

This homeowner called because there was enough water coming up through the floor of his finished basement that they needed to pull out the carpet. They wanted a permanent, cost-effective solution that would keep their basement dry and allow them to use and enjoy the space. We recommended a full perimeter of WaterGuard below-floor drain to collect the water and route it to a new TripleSafe sump pump. The TripleSafe has three powerful pumps, including one that includes a battery backup, so it will always work - even when the power goes out. Since the basement was at over 70% humidity, we also installed a SaniDry XP dehumidifier to control the ambient moisture that can affect finishes and furnishings in a basement. With a waterproofing system in place, this basement can go back to its normal function without worry of water damage.

Pulling Up the Carpet Reveals Damage

Once the homeowners started pulling up their carpet, they saw water staining across the basement floor. This is because water was coming up through the floor due to hydrostatic pressure (water pressure beneath the slab pushing water up and through).

Water Damage at Cove in Basement

The spot where the walls meet the floor in a basement is called the cove, and staining there is usually an early indicator that there's a water problem.

Staining and Efflorescence on Block Walls

In addition to water staining on the blocks, you can see white residue on some of them. This is efflorescence, which occurs when water dissolves salts within the blocks and then leaves the residue on the surface as the water evaporates. It's largely a nuisance, but over time can help break the blocks down.

Water Damaged Corner in Basement

This corner was one of the major water entry points and is where the sump pump will be installed.

High Humidity in Mount Pleasant Basement

The hygrometer shows the humidity in the basement over 70%, which is a prime level for harboring mold.

Waterproofing Around Fixtures

Water heaters and other immovable fixtures can often spell trouble for waterproofing, but we can simply install the WaterGuard system around them to ensure protection.

Inspection Ports Make Maintenance Easy

WaterGuard inspection ports make it easy for us to inspect and flush the system during annual maintenance visits. Once concrete is poured, the lid of the port is still accessible and visible.