Your Leading Martin County, MN Wet Basement & Leaky Crawl Space Company

These homeowners in Sherburn, MN called us to discuss some water issues in their home. They have an older farmhouse that had seepage around the base of the walls. We sent our Design Specialist David out to see if our products were the right fit. 

He discussed a system that would include WaterGuard, SuperSump, and a buried discharge line with IceGuard attachment.

WaterGuard is a French drain that is installed below the floor slab, resting on the foundation footing. This ensures it won't be clogged with mud. It is then surrounded with rock that allows the water to flow freely. The crew will top it with fresh concrete to create a flush, level floor. The SuperSump we installed for them is a Zoeller cast iron 1/3 hp pump that can pump up to 2,200 gallons per hour. It is a dependable, efficient system that will ensure a dry basement for these homeowners. To finish off this system, we buried their discharge line in the backyard and installed an IceGuard which will allow water to pump out in the event that the discharge line is clogged or frozen. The water will not back up into the home.

These homeowners are confident that their system will be the answers to their water issues. They can relax on the rainy days now.

This homeowner in Fairmont, MN was facing a serious problem in their basement, large horizontal and stairstep cracks had developed in the foundation walls, a clear sign of wall movement and structural stress. The cracks were worsening, and water intrusion had started to occur, adding to the concern. If left unaddressed, the wall could bow even further and eventually compromise the stability of the entire home.

Knowing it was important to take action quickly, the homeowner contacted our team at Complete Basement Systems for a professional evaluation. During our inspection, we found that the horizontal cracking was a result of pressure from saturated soil outside the foundation walls, which is a common issue in Minnesota due to the freeze-thaw cycle and clay-rich soils. Additionally, groundwater was seeping through the cracks and wall joints, putting the basement at risk for long-term water damage and mold growth.

To stabilize the failing foundation walls, we installed the PowerBrace Wall Repair System. This system uses heavy-duty I-beams that are secured to the floor joists and tightened over time to potentially reverse wall movement. It’s a minimally invasive and highly effective solution to stop bowing walls from shifting any further.

To address the water intrusion, we installed the WaterGuard Interior Drainage System, which is specifically designed to capture water at the point where the basement wall and floor meet. The system channels the water to a sump pump, safely removing it from the home and keeping the basement dry.

A Safer, Drier Basement

Thanks to the combination of PowerBraces and WaterGuard, the homeowner in Fairmont now has a secure and dry basement. The structural integrity of the foundation walls has been restored, and the risk of water damage has been eliminated.