Ending the Flood in A Finished Basement in Tomahawk, WI
Challenge
My waterproof boots sloshed in standing water as I conducted my inspection of the lower level newer log home in Tomahawk, WI. Temporary pumps, open windows, and fans could slow but not stop the inches of water that pooled throughout the entire finished basement. This disaster was a complete surprise and left them in a state of shock. In addition to obvious damage to the finished walls and furnishings, the waters rose high enough to ruin the hot water heater twice. All the water, organic material, and summer heat provided the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to climb the wood-paneled walls, increasing the overall cost of this disaster.
Solution
Before I met with the family, they had endured many distressing hours of mopping, moving emergency pumps and fans, and getting repair quotes. I put together a permanent peace-of-mind repair solution that included a Triple Safe Sump System, a Super Sump, Water Guard encircling the perimeter, bleeder lines for the concrete pour gaps where water was bubbling up through, exterior Ice Guards with buried discharge lines to send all future water far from the foundation to the edge of the woods.
The flood is over, restoration has been done, these homeowners can resume their life before the water. Imagine if we had put this system in before the basement had been finished. I encourage anyone thinking of finishing a basement space, to invest in a proper system to protect the work before it goes in so that your home doesn’t become a disaster case study.