More often than not an interior French drainage system is the most tried and true method of basement and crawlspace waterproofing. Our French drains come with guarantees of success, so in addition to the product working, we provide peace of mind with this system. The basic technology has been around for many years, because the process and physics work. The essentials of a French Drain include, jackhammering your basement slab and digging a trench around the perimeter of your basement. We then install pipe and crushed stone that lead to 1 or more sump pumps. We then re-cement your floor and return your basement to its previous condition, except for the wet part! It is very important that an experienced and detailed company performs this work, as it can be messy and if installed incorrectly can cause more damage than good. Our combined decades of experience and attention to detail mean that the system is installed cleanly and correctly.
An important aspect of any French drainage system and dry basement is the sump pump. We install sump pumps that fit the need of our customer’s home. We use 1/3 H.P. and ½ HP pumps depending on the situation. We install new pumps where there aren’t and also change existing pumps and pump discharge. The pump is the lifeblood of the system - we typically install a two-pump system where one pump operates as the primary and one as the back-up. We constantly stay up to date on changing pump technology and use up to date sump pumps. The other important part of a sump pump is the non-electric based backup. We have teamed up with suppliers of water-based back-ups which use the water pressure of your home to run the sump pump in the event of a power failure. These pumps are fantastic when the power is out and the rest of your neighborhood has wet basements! We also, in cases where water based back-ups don’t work, provide and install battery back-ups to protect against power failure.
Sometimes basement cracks (mainly vertical) can be structural in nature and pose a real threat to the integrity of your home’s foundation. In these cases, it is extremely valuable to have a real expert on your team. We are typically able to diagnose these problems and, if necessary, team with structural engineers to develop a plan for repair. We are consistently looking for ways to value engineering the process to keep your home AND bank account safe. We use all the latest technologies and even the most old fashioned technologies to repair these issues. We are experts in structural shoring, foundation underpinning, wall bracing and block replacement. Don’t try to tackle this issue without the help of an expert you can trust. Often times these are big scary issues, but there are easy effective solutions that work and provide you peace of mind.
Sometimes there can be a water infiltration issue in your basement that can be pin pointed to a crack in your foundation. Our experts have a trained eye to both spot cracks that are non-structural in nature and are allowing water to enter your basement and to point out cracks that may be structural in nature and require a more in depth analysis. For cracks that are only allowing water to enter, we have 2 distinct ways to repair. One way is with an epoxy treatment to the inside of the wall. We chip out the crack and patch it with hydraulic cement and then coat with a very durable A and B epoxy mixture. When accessible, we also recommend an exterior repair. In these scenarios, we dig down the crack on the exterior and ‘bridge’ the crack with concrete. In some cases the interior route is the way to go, in some cases the exterior, and in some cases BOTH.
In old stone foundations and new poured concrete foundations, there can be a need to repair your existing foundation walls. We provide plastering services to make your deteriorated stone walls look brand new. We use a wire mesh system to adhere the plaster to even the most crumbled foundation walls. Depending on the severity of the issue we determine how many coats of cement are needed to have a smooth sand finish and make your walls look brand new. In some cases we paint the plaster with a Waterproof Masonry paint that provides another level of protection. On exiting block and concrete walls, we coat them with waterproofing sealer to protect against moisture in your basement.
Modern code requires that living dwelling in basements require egress windows to keep your family safe in the event of a first floor fire. Even if there is not a bedroom in the basement, it can be a very smart idea to provide that egress in case of emergency. We saw-cut openings and provide the entire basement window egress packages. When saw cutting the wall it is important to create dust protection and ensure that the measurements are very accurate. We install these systems in 2 days with minimal disruption and create more light and a safety egress in your basement to keep you safe. Call our experts to find out how we can beat the competition on price and quality.
We specialize in converting unfinished basements or crawl spaces into finished areas that can be utilized in the home. Our team will assist the customer throughout every step of the process - from beginning to end, we have your back. Schedule a free estimate with one of our estimators to work through the design process from start to finish.
