Foundation Repair & Basement Waterproofing Contractor in Albany, NY

This job takes a look at two products, the TripleSafe sump pump and WaterGuard, showcasing their relationship to one another. The homeowner gave us a call because they were dealing with moisture seeping in from the soil outside the basement, causing damage and pooling. One of our certified design specialists went out and surveyed the basement to find a proper solution to this persistent problem. The plan that was ultimately drawn up and approved by the homeowner was a full perimeter system paired with a TripleSafe; a common and effective method of handling water problems. 

Work to install this system began by removing portions of the wall and floor, where the two touch. This is done to make room for the WaterGuard which is tucked underneath the bottom of the wall to collect water and redirect it towards the sump pump. This helps prevent any moisture from building up and pooling in the basement. After the product is tightly secured in place, the installation team re-poured the concrete and replaced the portions of the walls they removed. They then moved on to installing the TripleSafe sump pump which involved placing it in the ground and hooking up discharge pipes to it that run out of the house, underneath the ground, and to a LawnScape outlet a proper distance away from the home that the water doesn’t come running right back in. Anything the WaterGuard system running around the edges of the basement collects gets sent to the TripleSafe where it is pumped out for good!

This home was over 100 years old and its basement’s waterproofing system was, more or less, nonexistent. Water is, unfortunately, an inevitable threat to basements so it’s important they are given the proper attention they need to prevent flooding and damage. This is especially the case when it comes to older structures like this one. The first step in the job process was for one of our certified design specialists to do a full inspection of the basement and come up with an effective plan to keep the water at bay. With the state this basement was in, a complete waterproofing system was required. 

After drawing up the plan and both parties agreeing to it, it was passed on to the installation team and they got to work. The first step was clearing out the basement so there was room for the team to operate. Next, drainage matting was laid out on the floor to help facilitate any water that might find its way into the basement to the sump pump where it is sent away from the home. Along the walls, CleanSpace, a highly durable vapor barrier, was spread from floor to ceiling. CleanSpace’s purpose is to keep seeping moisture from getting through the walls and into the basement, redirecting it down into the WaterGuard at the bottom of the wall where it too goes to the sump pump. The original pump in this basement was basically just a giant hole, so adding a TripleSafe to the waterproofing system was a tremendous boost. Working all together, these products made this basement highly protected from the constant moisture threat that comes with living in the Northeast!

This homeowner’s crawl space walls were sinking, causing foundation issues that could’ve caused serious damage if not addressed properly in a timely manner. There was access to the crawl space so our Design Specialist worked his way into the small area and took a look around, inspecting the walls and support beams to determine how displaced they had become. They then recommended the customer have SmartJacks installed to give the floors above a lift and to take much of the pressure off of the walls and keep them from sinking. The Design Specialist then passed the job off to our installation team.  

To start off, our crew installed support beams running parallel to one another at the top of the crawl space. Then, they placed the custom-sized SmartJacks underneath and adjusted them to the exact level they need to be. Once in position, they fastened the support piers to the beams, providing a cohesive boost to the foundation. In total, there were nine SmartJacks put in and they immediately began doing wonders for the crawl space. The walls no longer would have to succumb to the immense weight of the house alone. SmartJacks are super strong and highly durable, able to take the brunt of the load and keep the foundation from sinking any further. Plus, they are completely adjustable so over time they can be tightened to lift the displaced floor back to its original position! 

This basement was experiencing stair step cracks going up the walls. Damage like this is typically a symptom of bowing walls, so its important to have this problem addressed before any horrific damage occurs. Potentially caused by the bowing walls, the floor above the basement was also sagging, so that also needed to be addressed. Our design specialist went over the space, taking a close look at the displacement and damage then recommended two products: PowerBraces and SmartJacks. 

The installation process started by clearing out the area to give our workers easy access to the walls and get a more accurate feel for what needs to be done. We then marked off precise locations for where the PowerBraces and SmartJacks would be installed after measuring the height of the basement to determine what sizes would be needed. The PowerBraces are custom-cut to size then attached at the floor and joist, adjusted to perfectly fit to the wall and stabilize it from buckling any more. PowerBraces also have the ability to be tightened over time and potentially straighten the walls back to their original position. The SmartJacks were then brought in to do the same exact thing that the PowerBraces do, only they assist the floor/ceiling as opposed to the wall. SmartJacks have the same ability as PowerBraces to be tightened and help lift the floor back to an even position. Both of these products are strong, highly durable and rust-resistant, meaning this foundation will have tremendous support for years to come. 

The fight against intruding water is an ongoing battle for many homeowners. Sometimes it seems like no matter what is done, the water still comes, leading many to believe a flooded basement is inevitable. But that is far from the reality. When it comes to keeping moisture and water from building up in your home, all it takes is the right product. 

This homeowner had serious concerns about the water in their basement. Even with a sump pump already in their house, water kept coming in and overstaying its welcome. After meeting with our design specialist, a new course of action was drawn up to replace the old one in place—and that included replacing the ineffective, pre-existing sump pump. 

There were three primary products used to boost this basement’s waterproofing system. Since sump pumps were already being discussed, that’s where we’ll start. While many houses have sump pumps installed, over the years they become outdated or get worn down to the point where they can hardly handle a fraction of what they used to. This happens especially when the pump is not serviced regularly. We decided to replace the old pump with a brand-new SinglePack Super Sump, which is a top-of-the-line pump designed to handle high levels of water without any trouble. We also paired this product with proper additions that help it function at its greatest potential even in the event of freezing temperatures or heavy downpours. 

Working in tandem with the SinglePack are a series of WaterGuards and a CleanSpace system. The WaterGuards were installed where the walls meet the floor. This process is done carefully as to avoid doing any damage to the foundation of the house. Our installation team takes their time to make room for the WaterGuards and then when placing them in the proper spot, connecting the pieces along the way, they keep a close eye on the WaterGuards, checking to see if there’s any gaps or holes where water could get through. WaterGuards are designed to collect any moisture that seeps in through either the wall or the floor and then divert it into the main discharge system; in this case that would be the SinglePack Super Sump, which sends the water out of the house to a distance far enough away where it won’t come back. Finally, to add an extra layer of moisture protection to the waterproofing system, CleanSpace was installed along the basement walls to help out the WaterGuards. CleanSpace acts as an effective vapor barrier, pairing perfectly with WaterGuards to give moisture zero chance of getting through. With all these products, pooling water won’t ever be a problem for this house!