Basement Waterproofing Case Studies: Basement Waterproofing System and New Window Well Installation in Stouffville, Ontario
Challenge
Everyone loves a finished basement. So much so, it’s one of the first things potential homeowners ask about when seeing a house for the first time. It can be the difference between buying and walking away, can make a world of difference when it comes to selling your home, and a finished basement gives you an entirely new area to use and enjoy. While it isn’t the cheapest upgrade you can do to your home, it’s something most homeowners want at some point or another. But before spending thousands of dollars to finish a basement, you want to ensure there will be no issues down the road.
A homeowner in Stouffville, Ontario, was getting ready to refinish their basement and install an egress window. An egress window is larger than a standard basement window, allowing someone to climb out in case of an emergency. Unfortunately for the customer, there was a water seepage problem to deal with before they could start their renovation. Not only was water seeping in where the floor met the wall, an old window well was overflowing during rain, allowing even more water to enter the basement. Tired of dealing with wet floors, wet belongings, and anxious to start their basement renovation, the homeowner reached out to Clarke Basement Systems.
Solution
Our team has dealt with this situation countless times. A homeowner wants to renovate but is held up due to water seepage. After meeting with the customer and inspecting the home, System Design Specialist Chris Luke created a plan that would keep their basement dry and allow their window well to drain correctly.
Foreman Dave Jackson started by installing our WaterGuard® Drain System along the entire perimeter of the basement. WaterGuard® acts as a catch basin for any water that enters through the wall or floor and drains it to the sump pump, where it is expelled from the basement. The drain is covered by concrete, keeping the basement aesthetically pleasing while ensuring it stays dry.
Since the water was entering in multiple spots along the wall, Chris included ThermalDry™ as part of the waterproofing system. ThermalDry™ acts as both an insulator and a vapour barrier, which is the perfect option for someone looking to finish their basement. It prevents any moisture from entering the space and directs any water down to the WaterGuard®. Once ThermalDry™ is installed, it’s as simple as building a wall right over top of it.
Efficient water removal is a crucial part of keeping the basement dry, so Dave installed a TwinPump® System, replacing their old sump pump. This was the perfect choice for the homeowners since they already had a generator as a backup power source. The pump drains water outside the home, and to keep it working correctly year-round, the customer chose to go with an IceGuard® Discharge Line. IceGuard® eliminates ice buildup in the line and prevents freezing and backups.
Lastly, was the installation of a new window well over the egress window. The new window well has proper drainage and no longer fills with water, giving the customer peace of mind knowing their egress window is safe. No water buildup also means no water flooding into the basement.
With the waterproofing system installed, the customer can now refinish their basement without worries. The area is dry, insulated and, most importantly, safe. They don’t have to wring out their belongings anymore, and with our warranty, they can enjoy their newly finished basement for many years.