Answering the 5 Ws about Waterproofing with American Waterworks

Whether your basement is finished or not, basement waterproofing is essential to ensure the lowest level of your home is a healthy and clean space. We recognize that this can come with lots of questions, which is why we've broken down everything you need to know about our waterproofing process through answering the 5 Ws - Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

WHO carries out the waterproofing process?

American Waterworks is proud to offer basement waterproofing services and solutions for your home. We have 35 years of experience working with customers and wet basement situations to know exactly what your basement needs. Our employees are highly trained to carry out each step of the waterproofing process, from the expert Design Specialists to the skillful members of our Production crew, so you can feel confident in a plan for your home.

WHAT products does American Waterworks use?

American Waterworks has a variety of quality products that we use to waterproof basements across the Midwest, each one carefully installed to tackle the water problems your home has.

WaterGuard is a drain system that is designed to intercept water at the perimeter of the basement and send it to the appropriate disposal site.

Our TripleSafe Sump System works to safely pump water and keep your basement dry. It features three pumps to provide three levels of protection against problems that other systems can't handle. This system is designed to handle multiple levels of water and includes a battery back-up system to continue pumping water in case of problems like a power outage.

CleanSpace is a 100% waterproof, plastic vapor barrier that gets applied directly to problem walls to stop water vapor from permeating the walls and moves any leaking water to the perimeter drains.

AprilAire dehumidifier works to remove moisture and humidity from the air and sends dry air back throughout your home. We use this dehumidifier because it's easy to control, has automatic humidity sensing to effectively remove excess moisture, can reduce airborne contaminants, and saves energy.

WHEN should I take action?

Now that you know a little more about what our waterproofing services and products are all about, it's important to know when it's time for them to come into play. There are many signs that your basement needs waterproofing, and luckily, most of them are clear, so you don't have to play the guessing game of it something is or isn't wrong. Some of these signs include damp walls, wet floors, mold problems, standing water, and rotting wood. If you spot one or more of these issues, it's time to give us a call and get your FREE no-obligation estimate set up with us. Even if your unfinished basement is dry now, consider waterproofing it to protect against potential future issues when it becomes a finished space that you've invested in.

WHERE are the products applied in the basement?

We think it's important to recognize that each basement has its individual characteristics and may need different things. That's why our Design Specialists work around the type of basement your home has and cater our design plans to fit your home's specific needs. For example, our WaterGuard drain systems are applied at the perimeter of the basement, but we have different methods of installing them depending on if your basement is finished or unfinished. As for the CleanSpace, it is fastened to the walls, but depending on your basement's needs, American Waterworks offers other vapor barriers that you can consider for your space as well. For our other products, the TripleSafe sump pump and AprilAire dehumidifier are installed in a location that the Design Specialist sees as the most beneficial.

WHY should my basement be waterproofed?

A waterproofed basement comes with many benefits including a clean and dry space, reduced risk of other problems occurring, and peace of mind knowing the investment of your home is protected. It's also important that you choose a service to fix the problems correctly the first time, so you won't need to revisit any problems in years later. American Waterworks is happy to help you and make the basement waterproofing process flow as smoothly as possible.