Checking the thickness of the floor
Without x-ray glasses, our inspectors can't tell the exact thickness of the basement floor. The best way to get a close estimate is to measure the bottom block in the wall. These blocks are 8 inches tall. If he can see more than 4 inches above ground, he knows that it isn't safe to install a below ground drainage pipe system. If he can't see the wall because the basement is finished, he will look for a closet or utility room like this picture shows.
Confirming the thickness of the floor
Since we are going to have to cut a hole for the sump pump anyway, we use this as a test to confirm the thickness of the floor. As you can see, there really isn't more than a couple inches of wall below ground. Our WaterGuard pipe system requires at least 4, so that's why our designer recommended DryTrak. This leaking and damp basement is about to get fixed for good.
Going around the equipment
Many older homes will have large oil tanks or other obstructions. DryTrak can be built around these things to avoid having to move them.
Brand new basement sump pump
In order to get the basement dry and keep the water out, a new basement sump pump is installed. A small pipe under the edge of the DryTrak connects the perimeter flow to the sump pump.
Flood checking the DryTrak
Before leaving the basement, our crew runs water through the perimeter drainage system. This is called flood checking. They are looking for tiny leaks in the system. They seal them up and check again. Once there is no more water leaking out into the basement, the job is all done.
Finished product, basement is now clean and dry
As a last little touch, DryZone adds a couple feet of vapor barrier to the bottom of the basement wall. The major purpose is to prevent a tiny wall leak to "jump the drain" and get the basement wet again. Gravity will carry water to the last few feet of the wall and the drainage pipe will take it from there.