Basement Repair: How & Where Basements Leak Near Minneapolis, Fargo, & Rochester

Any good basement waterproofer knows that wet basements come in all shapes and sizes, and no two basement repair jobs are exactly the same. Fortunately, our experts can accomplish nearly all basement waterproofing repairs in a single day, or sometimes two. Smaller jobs, such as installing egress windows or repairing a basement wall crack, can even be done in a couple of hours.

American Waterworks is your local source for professional basement waterproofing contractors in the area. We provide sump pumps, dehumidifiers, egress windows, and more throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin in Minneapolis, Fargo, Rochester and all surrounding areas. For a FREE wet basement repair quote, call or contact us online today!

Where flooding begins

From cracked basement walls to leaky egress windows, it's important to know how flooding starts in basements to prevent future problems. These are some of the most common ways for the basement flooding to begin:

• Flooding through the basement wall-floor joint: The most common way basement water leaks into a home is through the basement wall-floor joint. Stop the water right at the point where it's causing the problem - along the perimeter of the basement floor.

  American Waterworks does this by removing a portion of the basement floor, creating a trench, and filling it with clean stone. On top of this stone, the patented WaterGuard® system, an innovation on old-fashioned French drains and Drain tile, is laid. The system is concreted over, and an extending wall flange creates a 3/8" opening to receive water from the basement walls.

  The drain leads the basement water to a sump pump system, which will then discharge it outside through a buried PVC pipe and away from your home.

• Leaking basement floors: If there is leaking from a crack in the basement floor, a drainage system and a sump pump is still the answer. A lateral line can be installed along the crack, collecting the water and directing it to your sump pump system.

  A full perimeter system will be able to prevent most water from entering through the cracks in the first place - your waterproofer may not recommend a lateral line for smaller cracks in the floor for this reason.

• Basement water from hatchway doors: A perimeter drainage system can also address water leaking in through basement hatchway doors by collecting it and directing it to your sump pump. As the drain runs along the bottom of the hatchway stairs, it will reach a grated drain opening that extends along the hatchway entrance.

  The water will leak into this grated opening and enter the waterproofing system. From there, the sump pump will discharge it from the home and send it downhill away from the home.

• Leaking basement windows: If you're not interested in replacing your egress windows and/or window wells, a drain can be installed that will capture the water as it pools below the basement window, drawing it into the basement through a closed drain, and directing it into the perimeter drain. If replacing the basement windows is an option, you may be interested in new, energy-efficient basement windows.

• Water from basement wall cracks and pipe penetrations: The natural curing process of concrete can easily create cracks in even new home foundations. And when holes are drilled in basement walls to allow access for pipes, wires, and cables, they often leave an opening large enough to allow water access.

  American Waterworks solves the problem of leaking wall cracks and pipe penetrations by sealing the opening with the FlexiSpan® system. First, the opening is sealed with a special polyurethane polymer. This polymer can expand and shrink with the basement wall, meaning that it will not lose its bond as the concrete swells and shrinks with moisture and temperature.

  Over this seal, a foam strip is attached and run down into a small drywall created beneath the basement floor. The secondary layer of protection is then covered over with another layer of our flexible sealant to give it, and the floor is restored flush. It can also run down into an existing perimeter drainage system.

• Failing water heaters: Water heaters can be expected to fail approximately every 7 years. When they do, they often leak water directly on to the basement floor. If your basement is finished or used to store valuable items, this water can be a damaging threat.

  American Waterworks recommends surrounding the water heater with a PVC ring, which can either direct water into the perimeter drainage system or be combined with a water-sensitive alarm that will sound off to let you know a leak is occurring. This is especially relevant in a finished basement, where many valuable items may be ruined by a wet basement system.

  

• Bursting washing machine hoses: Washing machine hoses are not designed to take the continuous 60-80 psi of pressure exerted against them at all times. If they burst, they can shoot out an incredible 650 gallons of water per hour! In fact, there have been cases where Basement Systems® dealers have seen water flowing up to the basement windows from broken water heaters!

  If you do not shut off your water each time you do the laundry, you're going to be glad that you've installed one that's warrantied to stay strong for 20 years.

Your Local Basement Contractors

When you decide that your basement water problem has to go, American Waterworks is ready to help with a new sump pump, dehumidifier, drainage system, egress windows, and more. Serving Bismarck, St. Paul, Maple Grove, St. Cloud, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, Eau Claire and the surrounding areas in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin, we're the local contractors you need. For a FREE inspection, written quote, and complimentary 88-page color book on basement waterproofing, call or contact us online today!

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