Solving Multiple Basement Issues in Richmond, VA
Challenge
A homeowner in Richmond, VA contacted us at The Drying Company to discuss moisture damage and efflorescence found with the basement of the home they just bought. We sent out one of our Home Performance Advisors to evaluate the situation, and to draw up solutions for this wet basement.
The first thing we noticed upon inspection was that there was indeed efflorescence in many spots of the foundation walls, a clear indication of water infiltration within the basement. When moisture seeps through these porous brick walls, it brings the salts and sediments from within the blocks to the surface. This creates the chalky, powdery substance on the surface of the walls known as efflorescence.
Cracks were present in the brick foundation walls indicating that they are being impacted by changing soil conditions on the outside of the wall. This can be a result of hydrostatic pressure and changing soils on the outside of your home. Cracks in a foundation wall allow water, critters, and pests to enter your basement and make their home in the damp environment.
Another major issue was that we could see that there had been flooding or leakage within this basement. There were muddy trails and marks on the walls indicating where the water level has reached. With heavy rains and flooding outside the home, it is not too surprising to see much of the water leaking into the basement through the walls.
With these problems in mind, we concluded which solutions and services would best serve this homeowner and their basement. We proposed a plan to help better protect the basement from outside moisture infiltration, then we sent out our professional installers to begin the work.
Solution
The first thing our installers did was move all items and furniture away from the perimeter of the basement. We needed a clear space along the entire foundation walls of the basement. Then our team created a trench along the perimeter of the concrete flooring, six to eight inches out from the foundation wall. This trench is created using jackhammers and is created to be as deep as the footer of the house, which varies in each home.
We then placed drainage rocks along the base of the trench, which will help filter any water collected. A Water Guard XL drainage system was then installed over the drainage rock in the trench. This system will help to collect any water coming through the walls and guide it towards a Super Sump Pump.
The Super Sump Pump contains a 1/3 horsepower cast iron pump, which can discharge up to 2,200 gallons of water per hour. It is also equipped with a WaterWatch alarm system which will trigger if there is a pump failure, or the amount of water exceeds the pump’s limit.
The Super Sump Pump is connected to a drainage line that leads the water out of the basement and to a predetermined location in the yard. Once the sump pump and Water Guard are installed, we mechanically fastened a 20-mil CleanSpace vapor barrier to the foundation wall six to eight inches above outside grade. This heavy-duty liner will help to keep any moisture seeping through the walls from entering the basement environment. Instead, the water runs down between the foundation wall and CleanSpace vapor barrier and finds its way to the Water Guard drainage system.
We then replaced the cement over the trench and put the furniture and items back where they belong. Now if the basement has any moisture infiltration, the WaterGuard system and sump pump will help to pull that water away from the basement's atmosphere, reducing the relative humidity and any chance of mold and mildew growth. With the WaterGuard system in place, our homeowners no longer need to worry about water damage in their basement. They can finish the space overtop of the system to add valuable square footage to their home or to just have a clean, dry, and healthy storage space.
If you are experiencing major water leakage in your basement, or wish to prevent any future problems from occurring, then please give us a call at 757-566-8622! We will help you to keep the outside, outside.
