Basement Waterproofing Case Studies: Form Tie Leak Floods Basement & Threatens Newborn's Health in Stouffville, Ontario

Challenge

The first year of a child’s life is an exciting time for parents. They get to watch their baby grow and learn new things every day while making a lifetime of memories. It’s exciting and fulfilling, but also stressful and nerve-wracking. Families and friends do what they can to chip in and help, but when your home isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to, it compounds the stress even more.

For a family in Stouffville, Ontario, a form tie leak in the basement was the last thing they needed. They recently had their first child, and their basement was home to their kitchen and entertainment area. During the spring thaw, they came downstairs to find water pooling beneath the floor and the cupboards. They were hoping to move to a new home soon, but this put their plans temporarily on hold. They needed to protect their investment sooner rather than later.

Solution

Concerned about the potential for mould growth and the health of their newborn, they reached out to Clarke Basement Systems. System Design Specialist Kayton Zarhloul met with the customer’s and inspected their home. He discovered that water was entering through an old form tie hole, and the customers were reassured to know we had a perfect solution for their flooding problem.

To start the installation, Foreman Dave Jackson used CleanSpace® Vapour Barrier to encapsulate the lower portion of one of the walls. This acts as a guard, catching water and funnelling it down to the drain. Kayton designed the system to include a WaterGuard® Drain System, which Dave installed beneath the CleanSpace®. The WaterGuard® guides the water into the newly installed SuperSump® Pump, where the water is discharged from the basement. WaterGuard® Ports were also installed, allowing for easy maintenance down the road.

The family is thrilled that the possible threat to their newborn’s health has been eliminated. They can start entertaining in their basement again and can rebuild the kitchen with peace of mind knowing the problem is solved. Their basement is dry, and their investment is protected.