Victor Barke's Complete Basement Systems Before & After Photos

Here's a great photo of a home in Lakeville, MN that had both a crawlspace AND a finished basement. We encapsulated the crawlspace as well as the bottom half of the basement with CleanSpace. We also installed a WaterGuard system in the basement half to ensure protection against flooding.

Big Lake homeowner had an uncovered sump pump that just couldn't keep up with the recent heavy rains. Complete Basement Systems installed a waterproofing system that included a new patented sump pump that is backed by a lifetime transferable warranty.

Carol H. of Northfield, MN researched for a company online to help with encapsulating her crawl space.  She contacted the RIGHT place!  Complete Basement Systems has been assisting homeowners since 1975 with basement, foundation and crawl space repairs.  

We scheduled Carol with a FREE estimate to inspect the crawl space at her home and design a solution that would accomplish her goals of protecting her home. 

The solution designed was to completely encapsulate the crawl space with our CleanSpace Liner to separate the dirt floor earth underneath from the rest of her home.  The CleanSpace System is a 20 mil poly that is kind of like a pool liner and is warrantied for up to 25 years to be free from rips and tears.  

Carol now has the ability to use her crawl space for storage and also looks a lot more attractive and bright versus nasty and dark. 

Before:

This homeowner wanted a major basement upgrade. Water intrusion had led to musty odors, visible staining on the walls, and ongoing moisture issues. The old basement window was outdated and not up to safety code. The foundation walls were bowing inward, raising concerns about long-term structural stability.

After:

We gave this basement a full upgrade, starting with the installation of a RockWell Egress Window, which added natural light, fresh air, and a code-compliant escape route. Next, we addressed the water issues by installing our WaterGuard interior drainage system along the perimeter to collect and direct water to a sump pump system. To protect the walls from moisture and direct it into the WaterGuard, we applied CleanSpace wall vapor barrier, giving the space a bright, clean look. Finally, we stabilized the bowing foundation walls using PowerBrace I-beams, which are fully adjustable to help potentially straighten the wall over time.

Now, the basement is dry, bright, and structurally sound, ready for finishing or storage with total peace of mind.

Before:

This Northfield, MN homeowner was battling water in her basement for many years. She also had structural concerns as her walls were leaning and bowing. Water was seeping in along the joints where the basement walls met the floor, causing damp conditions, efflorescence, and musty odors. On top of that, the basement walls were showing signs of inward bowing due to hydrostatic pressure, a common issue in Minnesota.

The combination of water intrusion and structural instability made the basement unusable and posed a growing threat to the home’s long-term safety.

After:

Our Complete Basement Systems team designed a full system solution tailored to address both the water issues and structural concerns.

1. WaterGuard Interior Drainage System:
   We installed WaterGuard along the perimeter of the basement floor, just above the footing. This innovative sub-floor drainage system is engineered to collect water from the wall-floor joint and direct it to a sump pump system. Its design ensures it won’t clog with soil and remains out of the “mud zone,” which maximizes long-term performance.

2. CleanSpace Vapor Barrier:
   To control wall moisture and improve the air quality, we applied CleanSpace. This is a durable 20-mil thick vapor barrier that is installed along the interior foundation walls. This liner not only prevents vapor transmission from the walls but also channels any seepage down into the WaterGuard system. CleanSpace is mold-resistant, tear-resistant, and transforms the basement into a cleaner, brighter space.

3. PowerBrace Beam System:
   To permanently stabilize the bowing foundation walls, we installed the PowerBrace system. These I-beams are anchored to the basement floor and joists above, providing immediate stabilization and the ability to tighten them over time. This gradual tightening process can potentially straighten the walls back to their original position, and all without invasive exterior excavation.

The Result:

The basement is now dry, stable, and protected from future water intrusion and structural movement. With improved indoor air quality, a safer foundation, and dry, usable basement space, this Northfield, MN homeowner can enjoy peace of mind and long-term value in their home.