West Linn 1920s Basement Fix

Project date: January 2025

Location: West Linn, Oregon

The Challenge

This basement had a textbook problem that was perplexing the homeowner. After a month or so into the rainy season, the floor would get wet in the middle of the room every year. All gutters, down spouts, and window wells were cleaned and fully functional. This problem presented itself rarely throughout the last few decades but slowly got worse. 

The homeowners were concerned because their little girl slept in this room and were worried about mold caused from the water damage under the carpet. 

Our Solution

Our solution was to install approximately 35 feet of drainage along the West wall that was closest to the issue. Once we removed the slab and started digging, we saw the trenches fill up with water. This gave us confidence that we could dry out the soil and fix this problem.

  • Remove slab for trench
  • Dig down approximately 18” 
  • Install drainage system and filter rock that pitches towards pump
  • Install pump with our side discharge in the closet. Side discharge allows this closet space to be fully usable still unlike other waterproofing companies

24 hours later the homeowner had the carpet reinstalled and tenants back in the space. With minimal down time, and no longer having to move tenants out to constantly remediate the water, this paid for itself very quickly.

Before and After Photos

Basement bedroom in West Linn with soaking carpet

All carpet in this room was drenched, most wet in the middle.

Basement bedroom in West Linn with soaking carpet
Digging trench in basement West Linn
Drain pipe in trench in basement West Linn

Probably hard to see, but this trench is deep and full of water!

Sump pump and trench full of water in basement West Linn

There was so much water in this soil. We came back from lunch to the drain pipe floating! Can you imagine thinking it’s a good idea to take a shortcut by adding drainage right next to the wall after seeing this?!

basement waterproofing West Linn
Trench full of gravel in basement West Linn
Concrete pored in trench basement West Linn
New sump pump basements West Linn
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