Damp and Bowing Basement Walls Get Transformed in Minnetonka, MN
Challenge
A homeowner from Minnetonka, MN, had been dealing with a failing foundation and leaky basement for upwards of 10 years. He was tired of dealing with the issue, and took to the internet to search for 'best foundation repair company near me', and quickly found American Waterworks. Having worked with us in the past, the homeowner was thrilled to know we offered the services he was looking for. He wasted no time signing up for his FREE estimate.
Solution
Several weeks later, our Design Specialist, Darin S, was headed out to the home. When Darin arrived, he got right to work assessing the space. When he was done, he met with the homeowner to go over his diagnosis and recommended a plan of action for the basement. Darin began by addressing the foundation issue, stating that the homeowner was experiencing bowing walls because the pressure on the side of the wall was too much for the wall to withstand. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including too much water, frozen water, and more. Darin went on to say that our PowerBrace wall system would be the perfect solution to address the failing wall. He elaborated, stating that the PowerBrace system is a patented foundation wall repair system that's designed to stabilize failing basement walls and provide the potential to straighten walls over time. These steel I-beams will stabilize the wall in its current position without any further adjustment. Over time, the PowerBrace System can be tightened to make bowing or tilting walls straighter and more vertical. Additionally, Darin had noted several areas in which the ceiling of the space seemed to be sagging, indicating that it could use more support, so Darin recommended our SmartJacks. Our SmartJacks provide solid support for sagging and undersized beams, restoring stability and straightness to sagging floor joists. Due to its unique design, SmartJacks can be adjusted over time to provide more support as the home continues to settle over the years. Moving on, Darin began to address the leaky walls. First, he recommended our CleanSpace vapor barrier, a 100% waterproof tarp-like material that gets installed directly onto the unfinished basement walls. It works to collect water entering through holes or cracks in the wall, directing it downward and into a perimeter drain, WaterGuard, Darin's second recommendation. WaterGuard is a French drain that gets installed below the basement floor atop the footing of the foundation. The CleanSpace is directly fed into the WaterGuard, making its function act as a channel for unwanted water to flow freely to a disposal site. Through Darin's inspection, he found that the basement lacked a sump system, so he recommended our TripleSafe sump pump. This machine is the most reliable sump system in our lineup, as it was built with three levels of protection for your basement and your peace of mind. Finally, Darin explained that even basements with the most comprehensive systems can still develop moisture and mold problems and could even feel damp. This is because the concrete walls and floors of the basement are continually absorbing the moisture from the soil and releasing it into the air. For this reason, Darin recommended our Aprilaire dehumidifier be installed. Adding an Aprilaire dehumidifier creates healthy air and can reduce the number of viable viruses in the air to less than 1% in two days when set to 50% relative humidity. The homeowner, impressed with Darin's explanation and recommendation plan of action, was thrilled to know that his space could be saved. He signed on the spot, and he and Darin worked together to find the best day for the basement transformation.
About a month or so later, our Foreman, Jose C, and his team were headed out to the home to begin installations. When they had completed the days long project, they had effortlessly installed 16 PowerBraces, 7 SmartJacks, 169 sqft of WaterGuard, 1 TripleSafe, 160 sqft of CleanSpace, and 1 Aprilaire dehumidifier. Now, our customer can have peace of mind knowing that his basement worries are over!
Project Summary
Design Specialist: Darin Stenglein
Foreman: Jose Castillo
Product: WaterGuard
Product: CleanSpace
Product: TripleSafe Sump Pump
Product: SmartJacks
Product: PowerBraces
Product: AprilAire Dehumidifier
