Failed Basement Dig Out
The homeowner's unauthorized excavation of the crawl space to create additional basement space jeopardized the integrity of the foundation system by altering soil bearing conditions and introducing substantial waterproofing and groundwater management concerns.
Piers for Auxiliary Wall Reinforcement
The helical piers were installed to transfer structural loads to competent bearing strata and provide long-term stabilization for the newly constructed auxiliary wall. These piers also serve to support the existing foundation wall, which had been undermined and compromised by the homeowner's excavation activities. Rebar was strategically woven through and anchored to the pier system to create a reinforced structural connection, allowing the auxiliary wall to effectively transfer loads into the pier-supported framework once the concrete was poured and cured.
Auxiliary Wall Forms
A reinforced formwork system was constructed to provide temporary support and dimensional control for the auxiliary wall, ensuring the concrete could be placed, consolidated, and cured in accordance with the design specifications while maintaining the intended structural geometry.
Auxilary Wall Concrete Pour
As concrete was placed for the auxiliary foundation wall, mechanical vibration was utilized to consolidate the material and eliminate entrapped air, ensuring a dense, uniform concrete structure. Following placement, the top of the wall was carefully screeded and finished to achieve the specified elevation and maintain proper alignment, providing a level bearing surface for the structural loads.
WaterGuard
After the auxiliary wall had achieved sufficient curing strength, the formwork was removed and the WaterGuard® interior drainage system was installed along the foundation perimeter. The system is designed to intercept groundwater at the slab-foundation interface before it can infiltrate the basement space, collecting and channeling it to the sump pump system for controlled discharge. This provides effective sub-slab drainage and long-term moisture management around the foundation.
Drainage Matting and TripleSafe Sump Pump
Drainage matting was installed across the exposed soil floor and beneath the WaterGuard® perimeter drainage system to create a dedicated drainage pathway for subsurface moisture. This drainage layer facilitates the movement of groundwater toward the waterproofing system, where it is collected and directed for controlled removal. The TripleSafe™ sump pump system was then installed to provide reliable water evacuation, utilizing a three-pump configuration designed to deliver primary pumping capacity, secondary protection during periods of high water volume, and battery-powered backup operation during electrical outages.
Foundation Floor Pour
Following installation of the drainage system, concrete was placed and finished to create a new basement floor slab, providing a durable and level foundation surface. A TrenchDrain™ surface drainage system was installed at the bulkhead entrance to intercept any surface water that may enter through the doorway. The TrenchDrain™ was directly integrated with the WaterGuard® perimeter drainage system, creating a unified water management network that efficiently captures and conveys both surface water and subsurface groundwater to the sump pump system for discharge.
