Basement and Garage Waterproofing in Medford, MA

Monday, July 22nd, 2024 by Marcus Girard

Challenge

Water intrusion in a foundation can lead to a frustrating cleanup process and put your home at risk. Homeowners in Medford, Massachusetts, faced leaks in their basement and garage during heavy rainfall, resulting in water accumulation on the foundation floor. They utilized their basement for storage, risking damage to their personal items. Seeking a dependable solution to maintain a dry basement and ensure peace of mind, they reached out to Erickson Foundation Solutions.

Our Customer Care team quickly responded to the homeowners' concerns by arranging a meeting with a System Design Specialist. Debra Rayborn was scheduled to visit the homeowners for a complimentary home inspection. After her thorough inspection, Debra observed that water was entering the foundation from the right rear side, affecting both the foundation walls and floor. To protect the basement and garage, Debra suggested the implementation of the following waterproofing system:

71' of WaterGuard perimeter drainage
14' of TrenchDrain surface drainage
58' of CleanSpace wall encapsulation system
1 SmartSump sump pump
1 TripleSafe sump pump
2 IceGuard antifreeze discharge systems

Solution

Pleased with the proposed solution, the homeowners consented to the installation and scheduled an installation date. On that day, our team, headed by Gunther Billhardt, called the homeowners and arrived precisely as planned. Before commencing the work, the team members introduced themselves and conducted a brief walkthrough with the homeowners to discuss the expectations for the project.

Erickson Foundation Solutions takes great pride in maintaining a clean workspace. Our crew carefully laid out plastic around the basement and garage areas to protect valuables. They then began to chip away concrete along the basement's perimeter to install the WaterGuard system. This system intercepts water at the foundation's interior, preventing it from reaching the basement. The collected water is directed to the sump pump. Once the concrete is removed, we install the system efficiently and effectively.

In some basement areas, WaterGuard installation is not feasible. For such cases, our TrenchDrain surface drainage system offers a viable solution. TrenchDrain is designed to collect water at the foundation's surface and is commonly employed to divert water around fixed obstacles. In this instance, we used TrenchDrain to redirect water away from the oil tank and positioned it at the garage door entrance. This system integrates with WaterGuard, ensuring a continuous and uninterrupted flow of water towards the sump pump.

To combat water seepage through foundation walls, the CleanSpace system was installed. This encapsulation system, coupled with drainage matting, allows any seepage to be efficiently directed into the WaterGuard system. CleanSpace is composed of seven layers, including high-density polyethylene for puncture resistance, low-density polyethylene for flexibility, and polyester cord reinforcement for robust tear resistance. Its white finish not only brightens the basement but also provides a clean look. Additionally, the antimicrobial additive in CleanSpace inhibits mold growth on the liner. Our installation team skillfully installed this system in confined spaces, such as behind the oil tank and meticulously around egress windows.

To ensure the successful removal of all collected water from the home, two sump pumps have been installed. The SmartSump is located in the garage, designed for minimal but consistent water extraction, and the TripleSafe sump pump is situated in the basement. A 24-inch sump basin has been constructed within the foundation floor beneath both pumps to direct water flow into it. The pumps are housed within a liner inside this basin, which includes a cover to block humidity and debris. Our SmartSump features a robust Zoeller ⅓ horsepower cast-iron sump pump, which can pump 2,220 gallons of water per hour from an 8-foot head out of your basement. The TripleSafe sump pump system includes this powerful, cast-iron Zoeller ⅓ horsepower pump at the lowest level. For substantial water volumes or if the primary pump fails, a second, stronger Zoeller ½ horsepower pump, positioned higher in the liner, will activate. During a power outage, our UltraSump battery backup sump pump, located at the highest level, can pump over 11,500 gallons on a full battery charge. Once the WaterGuard system is installed to the pumps, it undergoes testing before being permanently cemented into position.

Water is expelled from the home through discharge lines connected to the sump pumps, leading to a safe location outside the home. It is advisable to choose a downward sloping area on the property to prevent water from returning. To avoid pipe freezing during severe winters, IceGuard is incorporated into the discharge system. This setup ensures water continues to flow freely, even in cold temperatures, preventing backups and basement flooding. The discharge line is buried to preserve the lawn's visual appeal, and our LawnScape outlet is attached at the end of the discharge line to avert lawn surface puddling.

After verifying the quality of all completed work and conducting a thorough cleanup, Gunther carried out a final walkthrough with the homeowners. He presented the finished work and addressed any lingering questions they had. Satisfied with the results, the homeowners were assured that their basement would remain dry and their possessions safeguarded.