A basement is more than just a space to store things and forget about them. It can be an integral part of our home, offering an area to entertain, exercise or relax. Sometimes it can be a combination of all three, giving homeowners a genuinely unique and essential space. But for a couple in Thornhill, Ontario, with a newborn baby, a damp, mouldy smell was preventing them from doing any of these things.
The family had a home gym in their basement, but the smell made it virtually impossible to use. Water was leaking through a couple of cracks in the foundation, and the basement was the last place on the list they wanted to expose their newborn to. Concerned for the health of their child and ready for a change, the family contacted Clarke Basement Systems.
“I don’t want to bring my child down here in this environment to harm his health, and I can no longer use my gym in comfort” was one of the first things the homeowner told our System Design Specialist Kayton Zarhloul. It was clear to Kayton that they needed a solution that would keep their basement dry, so he inspected the space and created a system designed specifically for their situation.
The first step in the process was for Foreman Don Clarke and his team to remove the old, wet wall material, exposing the elusive cracks. We sealed the cracks with FlexiSpan®, which expands and contracts with the wall, creating a lasting bond. Any water that does manage to get through is drained down into the WaterGuard® Drain System.
From there, Don and his team installed CleanSpace® Vapour Barrier, encapsulating the walls where water was entering. CleanSpace® helps water drain into the WaterGuard® system, while also giving the room a bright, aesthetically pleasing look.
The customer is happy that they can finally introduce their newborn son to the basement, and the husband can work out without dealing with a foul-smelling odour. They are once again ready to entertain in the comfort of their own home, without worrying about the safety of their loved ones.
One of the numerous cracks in the basement that was allowing water to enter, creating a damp and musty smell
The crack has been sealed using our FlexiSeal® System and encapsulated to prevent moisture, with a WaterGuard® Drain System below to catch any water that enters. Moisture doesn't stand a chance!
