Basement Moisture and Structural Concerns in Farmington, NH

Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 by Marcus Girard

Challenge

New homeowners frequently encounter basement issues after purchasing a property, such as foundation problems and water seepage. In Farmington, NH, one new homeowner noticed their floors were bouncy and sagging. Concerned about protecting their valuable investment, they contacted Erickson Foundations.

Upon reaching out to our Customer Care team, an appointment was promptly scheduled with our experienced System Design Specialist, Jason Vachon. During his inspection, Jason observed that the brick columns supporting the floors were deteriorating, and the temporary support posts, intended as a short-term fix, had rusted. Additionally, the basement was extremely humid due to moisture infiltrating the foundation walls, which can lead to wood rot and compromise the home's structural integrity.

To effectively address these basement issues and ensure the basement remains dry and structurally sound, Jason recommended the following solution:

6 SmartJacks - stabilizes, lifts, and levels floors
18 ft of supplemental beam - efficiently distributes weight to SmartJacks
78 ft of WaterGuard with Radon Seal Strip - interior perimeter drainage system
16 ft of TrenchLock - surface drainage system
1 UltraSump Sump Pump - collects and removes water from basement
30 ft of exterior discharge line - channels water out of the basement
1 IceGuard - prevents frozen discharge lines
712 sq ft of CleanSpace - encapsulates basement from moisture
1 SaniDry XP - alleviates basement humidity

Solution

Satisfied with the proposed solution, the homeowners agreed to proceed and scheduled an installation date. On the appointed day, our team, led by Anthony LoCascio, contacted the homeowners and arrived exactly as planned. Before starting the work, the team members introduced themselves and conducted a brief walkthrough with the homeowners to outline the project expectations.

The project commenced with the installation of SmartJacks, beginning with the placement of temporary jacks to support the structure while deteriorating brick columns were removed. This precaution ensured the home remained stable throughout the installation of the new basement support system. The crew excavated concrete and removed four inches of soil in preparation for the SmartJacks. Subsequently, 36-inch-wide base plates were positioned, followed by the installation of an 18-foot supplemental beam perpendicular to the joists. Four of the SmartJack posts were then affixed to the base plates and secured to the supplemental beams using brackets. The other two SmartJacks were installed directly to the joists to create the maximum amount of support. This corrosion-resistant, galvanized steel system was then cemented into the foundation. The SmartJack system, fully adjustable, was precisely elevated to the optimal height, ensuring permanent stabilization of the floors above by adjusting to the exact 66-inch distance between the basement floor and the floor joists. Capable of supporting vertical loads exceeding 60,000 pounds, the SmartJack system offers significantly greater strength than conventional concrete repairs. This intervention promptly rectified the issues of bouncy and sagging floors, while also ensuring the structural integrity of the home.

The crew meticulously removed 78 feet of concrete along the interior perimeter of the basement to install the WaterGuard system, integrated with a radon seal strip. This system was strategically placed along the basement footing to intercept water seeping through cold joints due to hydrostatic pressure. Following installation, the WaterGuard system underwent a flood test to confirm proper pitch, ensuring an efficient downward flow of water to the sump pump. The radon seal strip within the WaterGuard system effectively prevents radon gas from infiltrating through the soil beneath the foundation floor. Once the system passed testing, it was securely embedded in concrete. The concrete was then leveled to restore the basement floor to its original, seamless state.

TrenchLock, a surface drainage variant of the WaterGuard system, was employed to ensure effective waterproofing in areas with immovable obstacles, such as the basement's oil tank. Seamlessly integrating with WaterGuard, TrenchLock creates a unified pathway for collected water to be efficiently directed to the sump pump. This system was strategically installed around the oil tank to optimize drainage and cemented in place. Additionally, TrenchLock incorporates inserts and balls to form an airtight seal, preventing radon gas infiltration when water is not actively flowing through the system.

During the installation of the interior drainage system, the UltraSump Sump Pump was concurrently installed. A 24-inch basin was excavated to facilitate the downward flow of water into the basin. Within this airtight basin, a 1/3 horsepower Zoeller pump and the UltraSump 4 powerpack system were assembled. The Zoeller pump is capable of discharging 2,220 gallons of water per hour at an 8-foot head. In the event of a power outage affecting the primary AC system, the battery backup system will automatically engage to remove water from the basement. The UltraSump 4 can expel up to 12,000 gallons of water on a fully charged battery. The WaterGuard perimeter drainage system was seamlessly integrated with the sump pump basin, ensuring efficient water delivery. As water enters the basin, the pumps activate as needed to promptly remove water from the home.

Water is expelled through a discharge line, constructed from PVC pipe, which extends from the sump pump and exits through the home's siding. To ensure continuous water flow even in freezing temperatures, IceGuard was installed on the exterior portion of the PVC pipe. This feature provides homeowners with peace of mind, as it prevents ice formation in the discharge line, thereby eliminating the risk of system backups and basement flooding. An additional 30 feet of discharge line was installed, directing water to a designated area in the yard. This setup ensures that water flows away from the home, preventing accumulation around the foundation walls. The discharge line was then buried, preserving the lawn's appeal.

The CleanSpace system was subsequently installed, beginning with the placement of drainage matting along the floor. This matting prevents surface water pooling and directs moisture towards the sump pump. Following this, the CleanSpace vapor barrier, composed of 20-millimeter-thick polyethylene, was meticulously installed on the foundation walls and floor. The crew expertly secured the CleanSpace to the walls using press-fit fasteners, ensuring precise fitting around various obstacles such as the electrical box, pipes, windows, shelves, SmartJacks, and UltraSump. The top of this system is sealed using our NexusPro sealant. This system effectively captures moisture and channels it to the WaterGuard system, providing comprehensive encapsulation that prevents moisture intrusion, wood rot, mold growth, and pest infestations.

As the final touch for this project, our crew installed the SaniDry XP Dehumidifier. This unit features a powerful blower motor that circulates dry air throughout the basement, effectively reducing humidity levels. The SaniDry XP can extract up to 109 liters of water per day, efficiently drying an area of up to 2,500 square feet with an 8-foot ceiling. The dehumidifier is designed for convenience, as it drains directly into the sump pump, ensuring a maintenance-free operation.

Upon completion of the project, our crew conducted a meticulous cleanup of the basement. Foreman Anthony LoCascio then performed a comprehensive walkthrough with the homeowner, explaining the installed systems and addressing any questions. The previously wet and humid basement, which had raised structural concerns, was transformed into a permanently dry and stable space, ideal for the new homeowners. They can now enjoy their new home with confidence, knowing it is protected for the long term.