Leaky Basement Cleared Up in Stockton, MN

Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 by Ella Wiebusch

Challenge

Bethany, a homeowner in Stockton, MN, decided to call American Waterworks after noticing her basement was wet and musty; water was coming in in multiple places.

She claimed her FREE estimate, which entitled her to a free home inspection. Once the appointment was set, our Design Specialist, Rick, headed to the property and began a thorough home inspection to properly diagnose the house and propose a proper solution. Upon inspection, Rick discussed solutions with Bethany. Along with waterproofing the basement, he found that she also should consider investing in our SmartJack system to stabilize the floors permanently. Our SmartJack system is made to provide support for oversized or sagging beams, restoring stability and straightness. This system is also unique because it's made with strong, corrosion-resistant, galvanized steel, so rusting isn't a worry. This means the SmartJack system can be tightened for years to come. She agreed and our team scheduled a time to get to work.

Solution

Foreman Cole and his crew headed out to the property and began implementing solutions. They started with our WaterGuard System, a patented below-floor drain that rests in a drainage bed on top of the foundation footing. It is our most commonly used drain system because of its resistance to water clogs, easy-to-access service ports, and ability to collect leaking water from basement walls. The crew then broke out concrete to make a feed line. From there, our crew connected the existing sump pump to the feedline. Our crew filled the open gaps with rock and replaced the concrete. The drainage system now properly guides water to the sump pump, and from there, the sump pump pushes the water through the discharge line and expels it from the home. Second, by using 13, 5-7' SmartJacks, 32 Joist Assist Brackets, and 60ft worth of Supplemental Beam in the basement, the team permanently stabilized the floors. This solution also assists in waterproofing the home as it addresses mold and humidity issues while repairing your structural issue.