Finished Basement Waterproofing and Repair in Natick, MA
Challenge
In Natick, MA, homeowners were dealing with significant water intrusion that had severely impacted their finished basement. Water was entering through the wall-to-floor cold joint, resulting in extensive damage to the carpeting, trim, and lower sections of drywall. Once moisture became trapped beneath the finished materials, mold growth developed under the carpet, creating unhealthy indoor air conditions and leaving the space unsuitable for regular use. Without a reliable waterproofing system in place, the homeowners faced ongoing risks of further structural damage, mold growth, and costly repairs.
Our process began when a Customer Care Specialist scheduled a convenient home inspection. A System Design Specialist then conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the basement to identify the source of the water intrusion, assess the extent of the damage, and develop a permanent waterproofing and restoration solution. To permanently protect and restore the basement, the following products were installed:
- 133ft of WaterGuard® Interior Drainage System
- 1 TripleSafe™ Sump Pump System
- 1 FlexiSpan® Wall Crack Repair System
- 1 IceGuard® Discharge Line Protection
- 1 LawnScape™ Outlet
- 75ft of NexusPro Crack Sealant
- 80ft of EverLast® Half Wall Restoration System
- 750 sq ft of Elite Plank Flooring
- NexusPro® Crack Repair System
Solution
On the day of installation, the foreman contacted the homeowners before departing the shop to confirm the crew's arrival time. After arriving on site, the team conducted a walkthrough with the homeowners to review the project scope, discuss the installation process, and answer any questions before work began.
To facilitate the installation of the waterproofing system, the crew first removed the water-damaged carpeting and lower sections of drywall. This demolition was necessary to expose the wall-to-floor joint where water infiltration was occurring and to provide access for the drainage system installation. During the removal process, the crew discovered several cracks within the basement floor slab that had not been visible beneath the carpeting. To provide a more complete and long-lasting solution, the homeowners elected to have these cracks repaired with NexusPro®, a flexible crack repair and sealing system designed to prevent water infiltration through concrete surfaces. The NexusPro® repairs were completed prior to the installation of the new flooring system.
Next, the crew installed the WaterGuard® Drainage System along the interior perimeter of the basement. To do so, a section of concrete was carefully removed adjacent to the foundation walls, exposing the cold joint where groundwater was entering. A trench was excavated and lined with clean crushed stone before the WaterGuard® system was placed. The drainage channels were carefully pitched toward the sump pump location, ensuring water could flow efficiently through the system. Positioned above the foundation footing, WaterGuard® intercepts groundwater before it reaches the basement living space while avoiding the risk of clogging associated with traditional pipe-and-gravel systems.
To permanently address an active foundation wall crack, the team installed the FlexiSpan® Wall Crack Repair System. Unlike conventional crack sealers that can fail over time, FlexiSpan® creates a flexible, waterproof barrier that allows any future seepage to travel behind the seal and directly into the WaterGuard® system, where it is safely captured and removed from the basement.
The TripleSafe™ Sump Pump System was then installed to provide dependable protection against future water intrusion. The sump system incorporates three levels of defense: a primary pump for everyday operation, a secondary pump positioned higher in the basin to handle periods of heavy water inflow, and a battery-powered backup pump that continues operating during power outages. The sump liner was installed within a carefully excavated basin and connected directly to the WaterGuard® drainage network to efficiently collect and discharge groundwater from the foundation perimeter.
To safeguard the discharge system during winter conditions, the crew installed the IceGuard® discharge line protection system outside the home. These specialized fittings provide a fail-safe escape route for water in the event the exterior discharge line becomes blocked by ice or debris, helping prevent backups that could otherwise flood the basement.
The discharge line was extended to a properly graded area away from the home's foundation, where a LawnScape™ Outlet, commonly known as a bubbler pot, was installed. This outlet allows collected water to disperse safely into the surrounding soil while minimizing erosion and helping prevent water from recirculating back toward the foundation.
Before closing the drainage trench, the crew conducted a comprehensive flood test to verify that water flowed properly through the WaterGuard® system and into the TripleSafe™ sump pump. After confirming successful operation, the drainage system was permanently encapsulated in concrete, restoring the basement floor while maintaining a clean, finished appearance.
With the waterproofing work complete, the crew turned its attention to restoring the living space. The EverLast® Half Wall Restoration System was installed to replace the damaged lower portions of the finished walls. Because EverLast® panels are inorganic and moisture resistant, they will not support mold growth or deteriorate when exposed to humid basement conditions. Finally, Elite Plank Flooring was installed throughout the basement. This durable, waterproof flooring system provides the attractive appearance of traditional finished flooring while resisting the water damage, warping, and mold issues commonly associated with carpet, laminate, and wood products in below-grade environments.
After completing the installation and performing a thorough cleanup, the crew conducted a final walkthrough with the homeowners to explain the operation of the waterproofing system and ensure complete satisfaction with the project.
The transformation was dramatic. What was once a mold-affected, water-damaged basement is now a dry, healthy, and attractive living space protected by a comprehensive waterproofing solution. With WaterGuard®, TripleSafe™, FlexiSpan®, IceGuard®, NexusPro®, EverLast®, and Elite Plank Flooring working together, the homeowners can confidently enjoy their basement knowing it is protected against future water intrusion and built to withstand the challenges of a below-grade environment for years to come.
