From Water-Damaged to Well-Protected: Saving a New Ulm Family Basement
Challenge
When a homeowner in New Ulm, MN took over her father’s old country home, she inherited more than just the property. She also inherited years of basement water problems. Moisture had been finding its way into the basement for a long time, and the damage had gone far beyond a little dampness. The foundation walls were cracked and bowing, and mold and mildew were present in some rooms. Old paneling on the walls obscured the full extent of the issues until it could be removed. On top of that, the basement was filled with a lifetime of stored possessions, making access and cleanup a big part of the project.
One of the most difficult parts of this job was a large oil tank left over from the home’s former heating system. It was located in a small, tight, crawlspace-like area with low clearance, making removal impractical. That meant our team had to design a waterproofing solution that worked around the tank without sacrificing protection. This was not a one-problem basement. It was a home with water intrusion, structural damage, high humidity, and hidden obstacles that required a complete and carefully planned repair approach.
Solution
To give this homeowner the long-term protection she needed, our team first demoed the necessary areas and removed the materials that were hindering permanent repairs. We then installed our WaterGuard drainage system, which is designed to sit along the perimeter of the basement and capture water at the wall-floor joint before it can spread across the basement floor. To help manage wall moisture, we installed CleanSpace, a durable vapor barrier that helps direct seepage behind the system and down into the drainage line while also giving the basement a cleaner, brighter appearance.
For dependable water removal, we installed both a SuperSump system with UltraSump battery backup and a TripleSafe sump pump system. The SuperSump provides powerful day-to-day pumping performance, while the UltraSump keeps the system working even during a power outage. The TripleSafe adds another level of protection with a three-pump design built to handle heavy water volume and provide peace of mind in virtually any condition. To address the structural concerns, we installed PowerBraces to stabilize the cracked and bowing walls and help prevent any further inward movement. Finally, we hooked up a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier to control basement humidity, reduce musty odors, and help create a healthier environment by discouraging mold and mildew growth.
By combining waterproofing, structural repair, and moisture control into one complete system, we were able to transform this New Ulm basement from a long-standing problem into a safer, drier, and more reliable space. This project is a great example of why lasting results come from addressing the whole basement, not just one symptom at a time.
