Waterproofing a Flooded Basement in Chester, NH

Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 by Marcus Girard

Challenge

In Chester, NH, a homeowner faced persistent water intrusion in his basement. Despite years of managing the issue with a makeshift pump, the recent increase in leakage, particularly through cold joints and an old drain pit, became unmanageable. Seeking a permanent solution, he contacted Erickson Foundation Solutions for their expertise. Our process started with a Customer Care Specialist arranging a home inspection, followed by a thorough evaluation by one of our System Design Specialists. After a comprehensive assessment, it was evident that the home required a robust waterproofing solution. Our Specialist recommended the following measures:

90ft of WaterGuard - Interior perimeter drainage system
35ft of TrenchDrain - Surface drainage system
22ft of Feed Line - Optimizing drainage
TripleSafe Sump Pump - Removes water from the basement
35ft of Discharge Line - Channels water out of the home
2 IceGuards - Failsafe for clogged or frozen discharge line
Bubbler Pot - Efficiently drains water into soil
SaniDry XP - Mitigates basement humidity

Solution

On the day of the scheduled installation, Foreman Angel Pacheco contacted the homeowner upon departing the shop to inform them of our imminent arrival. Upon reaching the residence, the crew greeted the homeowner and conducted a preliminary walkthrough to outline expectations and address any concerns. Subsequently, the team commenced work on the project.

The initial phase of the waterproofing installation involved setting up the WaterGuard system, our interior perimeter drainage solution. This system is installed atop the foundation footing to intercept water before it enters the basement, thereby alleviating hydrostatic pressure. It ensures that collected water is safely directed to the sump pump system for removal from the home. To install this system, the crew excavated concrete along the basement perimeter. After removing the chipped concrete, the trenches were filled with crushed stone. The WaterGuard system was then embedded within the crushed stone, ensuring a downward flow of water from the highest point in the basement to the sump pump basin. A total of 90 feet of WaterGuard was installed to create a comprehensive perimeter drainage system.

In certain situations, the installation of WaterGuard may be impeded by obstacles such as doorways, utilities, and other obstructions along foundation walls. At Erickson Foundation Solutions, we address this challenge with our TrenchDrain surface drainage system, a variant of WaterGuard. TrenchDrain is employed to collect and channel water around impediments like oil tanks, hot water tanks, doorways, and sinks. This system seamlessly integrates with WaterGuard to create a unified drainage network, ensuring that all water ingress is effectively collected and directed to the sump pump system. For this installation, a total of 35 feet of TrenchDrain was utilized.

To mitigate water ingress from the old drain pit, we installed 22 feet of feed line. The makeshift pump was removed, and the basin of the old drain pit was filled with crushed stone, allowing the feed line to capture water from that area. This feed line not only channels drainage from the old basin but also enhances the overall efficiency of the drainage system. In a larger basement with a high water table, running a feed line from one foundation wall to the opposite wall ensures quicker routing of water to the sump pump system.

During the installation of the basement drainage systems, the basin for the TripleSafe Sump Pump System was excavated to a depth of two feet to promote efficient gravitational water flow into the sump. Once the excavation was complete, a sealed TripleSafe sump liner was installed to reduce basement humidity and prevent debris from entering the system. The TripleSafe features a three-pump configuration: a primary cast-iron Zoeller® ⅓ horsepower pump for standard water removal, a secondary Zoeller® ½ horsepower pump that activates during high water influx and can discharge up to 3,900 gallons per hour at an 8-foot head, and the UltraSump Battery Backup System, which operates during power outages and can pump over 11,500 gallons on a full charge. The system also includes the WaterWatch® Alarm, which alerts homeowners if water rises above the activation point of the pumps, indicating a potential issue. The WaterGuard interior drainage system is integrated with the TripleSafe liner, ensuring collected water is efficiently directed into the sump basin for removal from the home.

To facilitate effective basement water discharge, a dedicated discharge line was installed, extending from the sump pump through the home’s siding and routed underground to a location with a natural downslope away from the foundation. This strategic placement ensures that expelled water is directed safely away from the structure, minimizing the risk of it re-entering or pooling near the foundation.

Two IceGuard® discharge line fittings were installed as a critical failsafe to protect against potential blockages or freezing within the discharge line. These patented fittings are designed to automatically release water away from the foundation if the primary discharge path becomes obstructed, ensuring continuous water evacuation from the sump system. By providing an alternative escape route for water under pressure, the IceGuard® system significantly reduces the risk of basement flooding due to discharge line failure, enhancing the overall reliability and resilience of the waterproofing system.

A bubbler pot was installed at the termination point of the discharge line to facilitate discreet and efficient water dispersion. This component is embedded beneath the lawn’s surface and surrounded by crushed stone, which enhances drainage and prevents soil saturation. By allowing discharged water to percolate gradually into the surrounding subsoil, the bubbler pot mitigates surface pooling and helps maintain the integrity and appearance of the landscape.

The entire waterproofing system underwent a comprehensive flood test to verify its performance and ensure effective water evacuation under simulated conditions. Following successful validation, all components of the system were permanently encased in concrete, seamlessly integrated into the basement floor. The concrete was meticulously leveled to match the existing grade, resulting in a clean, low-profile finish that preserves the basement’s appearance while maintaining full system functionality.

Our installation team then deployed the SaniDry XP, a high-capacity, commercial-grade basement dehumidifier engineered to address persistent moisture issues commonly found in below-grade environments. In basements affected by chronic water intrusion, elevated humidity levels, musty odors, and mold growth are frequent concerns. The SaniDry XP effectively combats these conditions with the ability to extract up to 109 liters of moisture per day and dehumidify spaces up to 2,500 square feet with standard 8-foot ceilings. For seamless operation, the unit was configured to discharge collected water directly into the TripleSafe® Sump Pump system, creating a fully automated and maintenance-free moisture management solution.

With all components of the waterproofing system successfully installed and tested, the crew conducted a thorough site cleanup, restoring the workspace to a clean and orderly condition. A final walkthrough was then completed with the homeowner, during which the team provided a detailed overview of the work performed, explained the functionality and maintenance of each system, and addressed any remaining questions. The homeowner expressed great satisfaction, confident that their forever home is now permanently protected against water intrusion. This project stands as a testament to the effectiveness of a professionally designed and expertly executed basement waterproofing solution.