Foundation Repair Photo Album: Apartment Building Waterproofing, Lowell, MA

This school building in Lowell, MA was built in the 1850's and had undergone years of renovation work to transform it into apartments. The owner of the property wished to now make use of the lower basement levels, but first needed to address the issue of high water and seeping water. The walls needed extensive waterproofing solutions, and several sump pumps were required throughout the basement in order to properly and effectively remove the water from the building. This album highlights different stages of the project, showing the vapor barriers along the walls and the sump pump systems in place. If the basement area had not been properly waterproofed prior to renovating the space, water could have caused extensive damage and cost the property owner hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs. The system was designed by Michael LaMalfa, and the lead installer was Lorenzo Tirado.

Preparing for waterproofing

The first step was to jackhammer up along the walls to create trenches and channels

High Water Table

The trenches and channels immediately filled up with water, highlighting the need for the system.

Installing Wall Vapor Barrier

Jonny and his crew installing the vapor barrier waterproofing along one of the walls. Any water seeping through the walls would be directed behind this barrier and into water channels at the bottom. Eventually this leads to a sump pump.

Wall Waterproofing

More of the wall vapor barrier product installed. These walls will eventually be framed to conceal the products and the space will become several apartments.

Wall Barrier and Sump Pump

View of the sump pump system installed within the floor. A new concrete slab will eventually be poured in this space to seal in the bottom of the vapor barrier. The top of the sump pump will also be flush with the new floor.

Vapor Barrier and Sump Pump View

The Sump Pump pumps the water up and out of the basement area.

New Concrete

A new layer of concrete is placed around the sump pump system and along the bottom of the vapor barrier to seal the system and contain the water and moisture.

Vapor Barrier and Water Guard Installed

View of the system after new concrete is poured over the water guard and vapor barrier along the bottom of the wall. Eventually this will all be covered up with finished framing and new floors to complete the living space.