Call UsCommon Causes of Basement Leaks & Flooding in MA & RI
Basements leak when groundwater accumulates around your foundation walls due to clogged drain pipes and other types of failure of the drainage system. The oversaturated ground exerts an enormous amount of pressure against the wall and cause the water to seep into the basement through leaky wall cracks and joints.
The only effective way to prevent basement leaks and flooding is to prevent the ground around the foundation from becoming oversaturated in the first place.
That is accomplished by providing adequate foundation drainage with an effective drainage system to collect groundwater and a powerful sump pump system to pump it out and away from you basement.
French Drains
(the old-fashioned solution)
For over 100 years, “French Drains” or footing drains have been the builder’s solution to groundwater control around foundation walls. It is basically a line of clay or corrugated pipe installed around the exterior of the basement, by the footing. If your home is less than 100 years old, it most likely has a French Drain system in place. Yet, basements with French drains will, overtime, start to leak and flood because they eventually clog with silt, mud and debris. To fix a clogged drain pipe you would need to dig out the foundation up to the footing.
Interior Perimeter Drainage Systems
Pioneer Basement offers a superior alternative to the old school French drain as part of our HBC groundwater control approach. Our drainage system, installed along the interior perimeter of your basement, is less likely to clog, and – unlike French drains — it remains accessible and serviceable throughout the years. We offer two types of drainage systems to address every area of your basement as a part of our Level 2 Healthy Basement Certificate
GrateDrain™
GrateDrain™ provides a drainage solution for general basement water problems.
GrateTrench™
GrateTrench™ is the solution for bulkhead water problems
Sump Pumps
The heart of our waterproofing system is the sump pump. Once our drainage system collects groundwater, it is diverted to our patented GrateSump™ sump pit. One of our powerful FastSump Sump Pumps will then pump the water out of your basement and discharge it as far away from the foundation as possible.
Battery Backup Sump Pumps
Your sump pump relies on your home’s electricity to operate.
Yet, what happens when a storm knocks down the power and your sump pump is off when you need it most?
Our Level 3 Healthy Basement Certificate offers two types of battery-operated backup systems. Grate Sump Plus™ and Grate Sump Plus II™.
Both designed to keep your basement dry no matter how much water comes your way!
Grate Sump Plus
The Grate Sump Plus™ provides effective protection for your basement during power outages. It will automatically kick in during power outages and automatically recharge when the power comes back on.
The battery powers one 4-amp pump for up to 8,000-10,000 gallons and the system can be configured with two batteries for up to 12,000-14,000 gallons output.
The system also comes with a low battery alarm and LED indicator to let you know in advance if more power is needed.
Grate Sump Plus II
Our Grate Sump Plus II™ is the ultimate protection for your basement.
This dual-pump system can handle virtually any amount of water, and keep your basement dry even during prolonged power outages.
It has all the powerful features of the Grate Sump Plus systems, times 2!
Like all of our products, the Grate Sump Plus II is also Nationally backed by our Healthy Basement Certificate with a limited Transferable Lifetime Warranty!
FAQ
What is a French Drain?
The French or footing drain is a line of clay or corrugated pipe installed by the footing, around the entire external perimeter of the basement. Its job is to collect groundwater and divert it away and divert it away from the foundation.
Do I need a French Drain?
If your home is less than 100 years old, chances are it already has a French drain. That is how long it´s been used to control groundwater. Yet, if your basement is still leaking, is probably because it is clogged or collapsed. You will either need to dig out your foundation and replace the pipe or have an Interior Drainage System installed along the interior perimeter of your basement, instead.
What is an Interior Drainage System?
An interior basement drainage system replaces the old-fashioned French drain with a few advantages. If there is a problem with it, you do not need to excavate your yard. It can be fixed from the interior of the basement. Interior drainage systems come in all shapes and sizes. Some contractors use generic corrugate pipes and some, like Pioneer Basement, use exclusive, patented drainage systems, that are specifically designed to deal with groundwater in the basements. Among the many advantages of these proprietary systems, is the fact that they can be flushed to prevent clogs and serviced throughout the years without the need to jackhammer your basement.
What is a Sump Pump?
The sump pump is the heart of a waterproofing system. While the drainage system collects all the ground water that tends to pool around your foundation, it is the sump pump that will get it out and away from your basement. If the sump pump is out of commission, your basement may leak.
Do I need a battery-operated backup Sump Pump?
Sump pumps usually run out of your home’s electric power. The same storms, however, that are known to flood basements also tend to knock the power off. Without a battery backup, your sump pump will be down, just when you need it most.
iBasement Systems & Crawl Space Systems Certificates
The iBasement Systems and Crawl Space Systems Certificates were created using specific sets of criteria to provide a healthy indoor living environment. Air pollutants and excessive moisture levels in the basement or crawl space can negatively impact the odors in the home as well as cause health problems with those who live there year-round - including yourself!
We offer 6 levels of iBasement Certificate, and 5 levels Crawl Space Systems Certificate, each designed to solve specific problems and protect your home, family, and property value on the long run.
Steps towards a healthy basement and a Nationally Backed Warranty.
All of our Healthy Basement / Crawl Space Contractors are trained and certified.
Steps towards a healthy crawl space and a Nationally Backed Warranty.
All of our Healthy Basement / Crawl Space Contractors are trained and certified.
Why does my basement smell musty?
That infamous musty odor indicates the presence of mold in your basement, even of you can’t see mold spots yet. Mold is a smelly fungus that loves damp and dark environments like a basement. Even in small concentrations it still releases spores and odors in the air.
Is mold in the basement dangerous?
Only a few species of mold, such as black mold, produce hazardous mycotoxins that can trigger serious health problems. Yet, every species of mold growing indoors releases spores which, in high concentrations, will negatively impact indoor air quality. This can trigger mild to sever allergy symptoms in sensitive people.
How to clean up mold in my basement?
If you have a visible mold infestation in your basement, start by getting rid of all the moldy items. Cardboard, paper, fabrics, upholstery, wood, drywall, and insulation must be removed and properly discarded. You can then clean mold from the walls and other hard surfaces using these CDC guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-bleach.html
How to get rid of basement mold?
The most effective way to permanently kill mold and keep it from growing back is to always keep Relative Humidity Levels in the basement below 60%. That can be accomplished by running a good basement dehumidifier that will constantly monitor RH levels and run as needed of the levels are too high.
What are those stains in my basement wall?
Stains in basement walls can have different causes. Some stains are mold. Others, like rusty-colored stains can indicate the presence of iron ochre in the groundwater, and a white, powdery substance covering the walls can be efflorescence. Basement wall stains usually are a sign of water seepage, and that your basement would benefit from drainage improvements.
What Our Customers Say About Us
Accreditations
Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016
Home Advisor Screened & Approved
Basement Health Association Member
Better Business Bureau Rating A+
BestPickReport.com -4th year as a Best Pick!
Service Area
Pioneer Basement offers a variety of services from waterproofing to foundation repairs. We offer the following services in your area, basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation, sump pump installation and service, basement crack repair, vapor barriers and moisture control.