Basement Waterproofing Photo Album: Ledge Basement Waterproofing in Wilmington, MA

In Wilmington, MA, a homeowner faced persistent water issues in their basement, particularly through cold joints, despite having an existing sump pump. As you can see in the before photo, water damaged the ledge area. To resolve this, we installed CleanSpace, FlexiSpan, and WaterGuard systems, which you can see in the after photos. These work seamlessly with the TripleSafe Sump Pump, providing a permanent solution. The combination of these systems ensures a dry, reliable basement environment.

Failing Sump Pump

The previously installed sump pump was insufficient to manage the elevated water table surrounding the property. As a result, hydrostatic pressure led to water intrusion, particularly through cold joints where the foundation intersected with natural ledge.

Wet Basement

The discoloration visible on the foundation floor indicates persistent moisture exposure. A consistently damp basement environment increases the risk of mold and mildew growth, and may lead to deterioration of stored belongings and structural materials over time.

Ledge Trenching

Excavating ledge is significantly more challenging than removing concrete due to its density and irregular composition. Our crew exercised precision and care while trenching along the basement perimeter, which consisted primarily of ledge, to ensure proper installation of our waterproofing system without compromising structural integrity

WaterGuard

Following the removal of concrete and ledge, the WaterGuard drainage system was installed within a bed of clean crushed stone. Positioned above the footing of the foundation, WaterGuard is engineered to capture and redirect groundwater before it can infiltrate the basement, effectively mitigating hydrostatic pressure and preventing interior water damage.

WaterGuard Connected to Sump Pump

Water collected by the WaterGuard system is channeled directly to the sump pump basin, where it is efficiently discharged away from the home. This integrated approach ensures that groundwater is managed proactively, preventing infiltration into the basement and maintaining a dry, protected interior environment.

WaterGuard Cemented into Foundation

After conducting a flood test to verify proper water flow and system functionality, the WaterGuard drainage channel was permanently secured in place with concrete. To facilitate accurate installation along the affected perimeter, partial removal of the staircase was required, allowing unobstructed access to the foundation wall and floor interface.

TrenchDrain

TrenchDrain is a surface-level drainage solution designed for areas where subsurface systems like WaterGuard are not viable. In this basement, TrenchDrain was strategically installed to manage surface water flow around architectural features such as the ramp and the lally column footing, ensuring effective redirection of moisture away from vulnerable areas.

CleanSpace

CleanSpace is a durable vapor barrier system designed to manage wall moisture and humidity. In this installation, it was custom-fitted around the exposed ledge to ensure any moisture migrating through the foundation walls is directed into the WaterGuard system, promoting effective drainage and maintaining a dry basement environment.

TripleSafe Sump Pump Cemented into Foundation

The TripleSafe Sump Pump System integrates three distinct pumping mechanisms to ensure comprehensive water management under varying conditions. The primary pump handles routine groundwater removal, while the secondary pump activates during periods of elevated water volume, such as heavy rainfall or snowmelt. In the event of a power outage, a battery-operated backup pump provides uninterrupted protection, maintaining system functionality and safeguarding the basement from flooding.

FlexiSpan

FlexiSpan is a specialized crack repair system designed to prevent water intrusion through foundation wall fissures. In this application, it was used to seal vertical wall cracks and redirect any potential seepage into the WaterGuard drainage system, ensuring controlled water management and maintaining a dry basement environment.

Bubbler Pot

Water is discharged from the home through a dedicated outlet line that exits via the siding and is routed toward a naturally sloped area to promote gravity-assisted drainage. At the termination point, a bubbler pot is installed to facilitate controlled dispersion of water into the surrounding soil, minimizing surface pooling and reducing the risk of erosion or water damage near the foundation.