Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Flooding Basement Threatens Furnace & Stinks Up Home in Cobourg, Ontario

Even an unfinished basement is an essential room of a home. It’s often used for storage or a workshop and is typically where your furnace lives, as well as other critical household equipment.   A customer in Cobourg, Ontario, had recently installed a new furnace but was concerned about the amount of water continually surrounding it, as water was constantly seeping into the basement. The customer even made a makeshift sump pump from a bucket and a pool pump in an effort to control the situation.   When a musty smell started to spread throughout the house, the customer decided enough was enough. They reached out to Clarke Basement Systems and met with System Design Specialist Ryan Hanlon. Ryan designed a system to keep the basement dry, eliminate the risk of mould, and stop the musty smell.   Foreman Dave Jackson and Installation Specialist Alan Murphy started by levelling the floor with gravel before laying down drainage matting. They encapsulated the walls with CleanSpace® Vapour Barrier to catch any incoming water and drain it downward. To properly expel the water from the basement, a SmartSump® with an UltraSump® Battery Backup was used. To deal with the foul odours coming from the space, an Aprilaire® Dehumidifer was also installed.   The customer is ecstatic that his basement is finally dry. He loves the new system's look and no longer needs to worry about any issues with his new furnace.

Dehumidifier

Humidity can destroy wood framing and belongings, so keeping the relative humidity low is important for all homes

After

Encapsulating the space not only stops water, it also stops odour coming from the walls

Before

The dirt floor and damp stone was a breeding ground for bacteria and mould

Wet Floors

This basement was constantly soaking wet, a factor that attributed to the mould and odour issues

Sump System

The combination of a SmartSump® and an UltraSump® Battery Backup keeps water moving even if there's a power outage

Makeshift Pump

A clever idea, but not a long-term solution, this customer did as much as he could prior to us arriving