Waterproofing and Pre-Finishing a Cincinnati Basement

Monday, December 9th, 2019 by Elaine Davis

Challenge

This 70-year-old home in Cincinnati had a block foundation and experienced water seeping in along the floor near the walls. The basement did not have a sump pump, which made the space less usable. The homeowner was planning to finish the basement to create a more comfortable living area and contacted The Basement Doctor of Cincinnati to explore solutions for making the space dry and functional.

After inspecting the basement, our team recommended installing WaterGuard subfloor drains, a trench drain, and a TripleSafe sump pump system to resolve the water issues. We also explained that our pre-finishing panels, (called basement to beautiful) and Foamax insulation would be ideal for starting the basement finishing process, as both products provide warmth and help create a comfortable, insulated living space.

Continue reading to learn more about how these solutions transformed the basement.

Solution

The homeowner of this Cincinnati home planned to finish their basement, so we recommended installing a complete perimeter WaterGuard subfloor drainage system. This full system ensured that the entire basement would stay protected from water intrusion. As part of the system, we also installed a trench drain near the basement door to capture any surface water before it could reach the interior.

To manage water collected by the drains, we installed the TripleSafe sump pump system. This system features three pumps for maximum protection. The first pump, a 1/3 horsepower unit, handles most of the water. If the volume becomes too high, a 1/2 horsepower high-volume pump activates to assist. Finally, an UltraSump battery backup pump turns on during a power failure to remove water from the basement. The system also includes a WaterWatch alarm, a twin liner, and an airtight lid with an airtight floor drain, providing the homeowner with the ultimate defense against basement flooding.

For insulation, we installed Foamax on the basement walls. This advanced polyisocyanurate foam features a white foil finish on the front and a foil vapor barrier on the back, keeping the basement warmer while channeling any minor wall leaks down into the WaterGuard system.

We also installed pre-finished insulated wall panels to complete the basement finishing process. These panels are constructed with SilverGlo graphite insulation and metal studs, making it easy to add drywall or other finishes. Unlike traditional fiberglass insulation, these closed-cell panels do not absorb water, making them ideal for basements where moisture could be a concern.

Together, the Foamax insulation and pre-finished panels drained any wall leaks while improving warmth and comfort. Combined with the WaterGuard system and TripleSafe sump pump, this comprehensive approach protected the basement from water, created an insulated, ready-to-finish space, and ensured the homeowner could enjoy the area for years to come, while also enhancing the home’s value.

Our Basement to Beautiful panels come with built-in electrical channels, making it easier to install finished walls over them.

Basement To Beautiful panels were installed to make the basement drier and warmer. They were installed in all the spots the homeowner planned to put finished paneling up.

We installed Foamax panels in the laundry room since the homeowner did not plan to finish the space. These panels will provide long-term energy savings, helping offset the initial investment over time.

The TripleSafe was placed in the laundry room. You can see just how thick the Foamax panels are in this picture as well. The thickness provides great insulation specs, and the vapor barrier on their backside will help channel moisture down into the subfloor drainage system. This picture also gives a glimpse of the musty, stained, block wall foundation that we covered.