Waterproofing Finished Basement From Inside - Block Wall Foundation

The American Dry crew can handle waterproofing finished basement from the inside with obstacles like baseboard heating and radiant heated floors. The easiest part of the job was removing another faulty system installed by another company. It takes a lot of work to get this right. We show you the best way to stop dampness and flooding on basement floors. Also, see how to avoid future water problems by creating weep holes in cinder block walls. It certainly will be the last time dealing with a water problem.
00:00 Intro Finished Basement Waterproofing
00:17 Dry Wall Problem in Finished Basement
02:27 Working Around Baseboard Heating
03:19 Gutter System Location and Volume
04:10 Structural Integrity and Floor Thickness
05:12 Radiant Floor Heating Coil
06:18 Two-Floor Basement Slab
07:20 Engineering Tabs
08:18 SuperDry System Location and Volume
10:33 Sump Pump Discharge Line
12:24 Block Wall Weep Holes
14:00 System Installation Overview
15:13 Closing Summary
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You can call our office directly at 888-748-2002
Since 1997, American Dry Basement Systems has been waterproofing basements, crawl spaces, installing sump pumps and battery backup systems, and repairing foundation cracks in basements throughout Connecticut & Southeastern New York. Our mission is a simple one. We ensure that every customer that installs our basement waterproofing system will be water-free for life.
Keywords: American Dry Basement Systems, basement waterproofing, crawl space waterproofing, Peter O'Shea, sump pump installation, foundation crack repair, carbon fiber reinforcement, crawl space sealing, home improvement, french drain, basement waterproofers, basement waterproofing installers, sump pump installers, contractors
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[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Do you enjoy watching our videos? Subscribe to our channel by clicking the red subscribe button above. We appreciate your comments and likes too.

[@alexm777]

Honestly I look forward to these videos. We have your system installed in our basement that used to flood all the time. Since we installed it. Zero water. Even though we have your system already your videos give me the warm and fuzzies :) Please keep making more.

[@nchokas]

Had a gutter system installed at our old house from CT Basement Systems. After we moved into our new home I'm so glad I did some more research and stumbled upon your company showcasing the RIGHT way to waterproof a basement! We used you guys last year to install your system - Beat decision we made. Now have ultimate peace of mind and won't have to worry if we choose to "finish" our basement in the future! Love all the educational videos - It absolutely changed my mind on who to go with!

[@tuesboomer1623]

We had our basement waterproofed 18 months ago in a different mid-west state. Houses in our area sit in clay. Over a 30 year period the builder-installed system was slowly overwhelmed and the musty smell and clear signs of water infiltration through the block walls needed to be addressed. It was very reassuring to watch this video, as the system we had installed matches what you just showed. Hats off to your integrity and those like you who truly strive to mitigate an issue properly rather than pay lip service to a profession and just treat symptoms or make a bad situation worse.

[@Mixdplate]

6 months ago I purchased a home in NC that has a cinder block foundation. With all the recent rains, it's apparent the issue is worse than initially thought. I've had at least 3 "basement waterproofing" companies come out. One suggested just filling in areas where the water seeps in with some type of sealant and adding a sump pump. The other 2 gave me estimates on the very drainage systems your company is pulling out. None of these contractors convinced me their methods would be sufficient or effective. Which lead me to do more research and come across your channel. Just spent the last few hours watching numerous videos you posted and taking notes. Your system has made the most sense and I thank you for a clear verbal & visual presentation. It's just a bummer I'm way out of your service area and even more of a bummer that I may not even find a contractor out here that installs that type of system. 🤥

[@changerstranger6342]

Hate them double floors and especially sub pump areas that have tons of stones and water at times to shovel out. Hard work and respect to all who does it

[@tracydouglas370]

Wow, I just watched the Waterproofing Basement Walls | Finished & UnFinished Basement video. I really appreciate the depth of which you explain the issues and problems that come with a system that is not properly installed. I have an older home, and have seem some issues in my basement which needs to be address soon. I will be requesting an estimate soon. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Tracy

[@ryanbrady5704]

Great video I’m actually doing an interior weeping tile system right now but Im using perforated PVC pipe instead of the flexible drain line. Quality information!!!!!

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

I would not recommend PVC pipe for interior subfloor drainage, but to each their own.

[@jerryrontic1007]

Good job, nice vid, straight dope. My next house is going to be on stilts.

[@innovation_entertainment]

I wish you guys could come do my basement and use it for your channel lol

[@bend4852]

When I did basement waterproofing we just jackhammered the entire perimeter of the floor but I now realize that that can cause problems. When concrete is just sitting on dirt it will cause many problems down the road.

[@jagboy69]

Excellent work as always! Thanks for showing it!

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

My pleasure!

[@pucketts57]

So very good to see someone that is a professional at their job . Honestly dont know much about the track youre tearing out . Obviously not installed very well . I was debating in my head if it would actually work if the company installing had taken the time to use the weep hole . To use the drainage gravel & a solid amount of concrete like there should have been . But thankfully im not going to spend the money to find out . . Far rather watch your videos so ill know what the be looking for when i get mine done . Thank you so much for your videoes . Worth watching all of them over & over again to learn as much as possible about the way you do it .

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

I'm so glad you're finding these videos helpful! It's always great to hear that viewers are learning and taking away valuable insights from my work. It's true, a correct and thoughtful installation is paramount when it comes to tracks and other structural features. Implementing things like weep holes, drainage gravel, and sufficient concrete are all important steps that can sometimes be overlooked, leading to the kind of issues you see me dealing with in the video. Remember, a properly done job can save a lot of money, time, and hassle in the long run. So, it's always a good idea to know what you're looking for in a quality installation. Thanks so much for your support and for watching my videos. It's viewers like you that make this all worthwhile. Stay tuned for more videos where I'll continue to share more tips and techniques.

[@weirdalienbird4750]

Excellent video as usual, I love seeing your quality of workmanship. Keep the videos coming! Can you recommend a like-minded company to yours in East Tennessee around Knoxville? Thanks again!

[@Thereallyjonez]

I love these videos!

[@charleyweinhardt]

Would you ever use a product like drylok on walls and/or floors? I'd like to improve the air quality for an old couple I'm helping out. In my own home, I just have a hole with a sub pump for for an occasional yearly flood (old house holding up strong as ever, anyway, I painted my basement floor and some parts of the walls and they seem to be holding up good so far, anyway drastically improved the air quality, we now have a hang out spot down there, before the air was pretty bad. So at some point health comes first, this old couple is in there basement/garage a lot, I'd rather them breath better for there time here, then keep what they can't keep, secured... They get some water coming up from time to time they run humidifiers all the time, walls are healthy cinderblock... Any thoughts, I'd appreciate it! 🙏 They can't afford a system like this right now, they're retired.

[@nikki3797]

at my wits end over our basement. you are a boss sir! thanks for sharing your knowledge. is there a chance you will be in the Philippines? :D

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Thank you. There might be a future in the Philippines.

[@davemcdonald5004]

really like your system the real deal respect from Ontario I have a question in relation to piping discharge pipes in the trench from secondary basins if each basin has a sump pump and battery backup pump do each line pump to an outside discharge or pumping to basin closest to the discharge area? Do sump pump and battery backup need there own discharge lines or can they be connected ? Reason Im asking I believe I saw 4 lines on wall and 2 lines exiting wall to connect to frostfree four inch drain line. As well how big of a crushed stone drywell do you need at the end of the line in the yard for a two basin system? again great job!

[@Muthrows94]

I've watched all your videos and really appreciate the explanations. I almost went with a gutter system but it didn't pass the sniff test and wound up finding all your amazing videos and info, thank you. One question, I was planning on doing the discharge line in the same trench similar to this video, where do you install the valve check? Since you are running the line horizontally out the sump, do you have a horizontal valve check installed? If so, how would you access it should a problem arise if you ultimately fill the around the sump basin with concrete? Thanks for any info!

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Thank you, Nick. The check valve is connected directly onto the 3/4 HP sump pump port. All check valves should vertically connected. Not horizontal. We add a short length of vertical PVC pipe, followed by an elbow fitting, and running PVC pipe side by side with our 4 inch corregated pipe. It may be little difficult to see but this is the best example of what we do. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4fKnpaOobSBpqM

[@Muthrows94]

Thanks for you previous answer to my question, I have one more, if you don't mind. What do you do when you need to run a line through a wall? I have a three piece foundation (block wall) and need to run a line from one room to the next in order to reach the sump basin. The wall i need to pass through is an interior wall, do you jackhammer the footer enough to continue your pipe run? Or does an interior wall not have a footer like an exterior wall? I am interested in how you run your pipe from one room to the next. Thank you kindly again for your time answer questions here and your time in the videos.

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Your welcome, Nick. No footer under interior walls. The footer should only run along the entire perimeter of the house. Interior walls are built over the concrete basement floor. We leave an engineering tab under the wall (section of basement floor) and dig a tunnel next to the footer into the next room. The pipe continues with a pitch to the sump pump.

[@Muthrows94]

@@AmericanDryBasementSystems Thank you so much for your time. You are the best.

[@gouldbowman]

I wish your company was in MD. I'm sure we have some great companies down here, but seeing is always believing.

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Maybe one day! There are reputable waterproofers out there, but I'm not familiar with any in MD.

[@dirtyd9792]

Thank you for your fine videos, I used your technique to build my root cellar . I haven't back filled it , what sealer should I use and what side of the wall should I do ? Outerside or inside ? Thank you for everything you do.

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

You need to get someone to see your root cellar in person to give you accurate advice.

[@Mixdplate]

I've been trolling numerous comments for questions I have, and found the answers for most. One I haven't come across is that most, if not all waterproofing basement companies want to install some sort of vapor barrier up the entire height of the wall, particularly cinder block. Your method doesn't appear to do that and personally, I prefer the bare wall in my case as it will be more for storage/workshop. What is your opinion on the full wall vapor barrier?

[@alexandrosanchez-sl1wv]

best videos. thank you.

[@DavidKMayer]

Wish you guys served Boston! Any recommendations for a good company in the area?

[@joshuakelly997]

thank you

[@kymkrymsin2743]

Sure wish your company was available in Indiana. I have looked at a few websites here, and it doesn't look like they are doing even close to the deep set drainage system this video shows. If you have any recommendations for Indiana, I sure would appreciate the guidance/suggestion.

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Sorry to hear that. We don't know anyone in that area.

[@rogerroman2301]

When you are ready to concrete the drain in, have you ever used rebar to tie in the foundation to floor?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Rarely. Only in very special cases.

[@bryanrussell6679]

Years ago I was doing a tile shower in my bathroom. When I was about to pour the floor, I was told not to let the cement come in contact with the copper pipes because the chemical reaction would eventually corrode and eat thru the pipe. I don't know if that's true or not, the person who told me that was infamous for the low quality of his work. So the copper pipes in the radiant heat floor kinda surprised me.

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

You are correct. Copper pipes and cement are a poor combination. This is what contractors did back in the day. Today, you can find durable floor heating solutions using a flexible PEX pipe-like system that does not corrode under concrete.

[@bryanrussell6679]

@@AmericanDryBasementSystems Yes, I like working with PEX so much better. Seems like I was always having to repair a soldered fitting in the wall when I'd mess with plumbing.

[@dianewebb5865]

Would love to do something great like you guys do for the place we're buying that only has a concrete block crawl space after they put a mobile on top of the concrete ..you can see moisture on the bottom of the blocks all on one side of house....we want something done to fix this issue but don't know what or who to get. ???

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Hi Diane. We can only inspect if you are the legal owner of the property requesting our services. It sounds like you are not the owner yet. That crawl space appears to be a 3-piece block wall foundation with a concrete slab. The water is likely leaking only where the wall meets the floor along the footer joint.

[@dianewebb5865]

@@AmericanDryBasementSystems as soon as we are owning the property we will contact you. Thanks.

[@bradadam3924]

My basement is waterproofed and haven’t had any issues but my question is humidity. Is there anything that can be done to lower humidity levels without having to run a dehumidifier or that’s the only option

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Unfortunately, a dehumidifier may be required in your situation. Air conditioning upstairs will help. It will not allow humid warm air to enter your cooler basement. Once warm air and cool air combine you get may get a relative humidity above 50%. Keep it below that in the basement for comfort.

[@robdubas4305]

The center of my basement is slightly lower than the rest due to the floor drain. Is it possible to connect the perimeter weeping tile pipe to the floor drain pipe under the slab and evacuate the water that way instead of doing a sump pit with pump? I know you would have to jackhammer the floor to get to it. I was just wondering if the pitch and everything else worked out in theory if it's possible to evacuate the water without the need for a sump pump?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Yes. Pitch is your friend in a basement with a center drain and no sump pumps. We waterproofed a post office basement using subfloor drainage pipes leading to two floor drains. Our perimeter drainage pipes managed any seepage deep below the slab. Gravity allowed water to go into old floor drainage which moved the water out to their septic tank. In a city, the water would discharge into a old service pipe then into a sewage main.

[@charlesdesrochers311]

hello @AmericanDryBasementSystems why dont you use a ezflow french drain to remplace the labor of all the stones you put in there ? :)

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

We don't like cloth filters around our stone. It will eventually slow the movement of water to the pipe and flood the basement.

[@user-hm1bv4gp4d]

Hi I have been watching hours of your videos about how to properly waterproof my basement. But you don’t service NY area (Staten Island). Do you know of another company in my area that uses the same method your company does?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

You are too far out of our territory. We are not familiar with any company in your area.

[@robdubas4305]

Do you ever use a filter fabric for the drain pipe or sump basin? What's the benefit of corrugated pipe vs say Sch.40 PVC with lots of weep holes drilled into it?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

We don't use filters. Filters inherently clog. That's what they do when they catch dirt and debris. The perforated corrugated drain pipes we use are better for horizontal delivery of water as long as they are pitched properly. They are self-cleaning. Grains of dirt and minerals never collect and build up in any one spot. They are constantly moving to the sump basket and flushed out of the pipes. These pipes are one continuous connection from basket to basket. No separate pieces required like other brands including PVC pipes. We will make a video detailing the differences.

[@robdubas4305]

@@AmericanDryBasementSystems Thank you very much for your fast reply and explanation.

[@anthonye.4999]

Any outside system videos?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

No. We only install indoor systems with outdoor discharge and underground pipe to a dry well.

[@j.l.kaminski9184]

Holy smokes! This looks like great work, but I bet its very expensive. We were thinking about this but buying another house might be cheaper.

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Buying another house is a whole lot more expensive by a wide margin. :)

[@nomadtribe9455]

What would you recommend for a monolithic foundation where it’s not possible to remove the slab nor drill weep holes as the bricks lay on top of the slab? Thank

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

There is no simple explanation to pop into a KZbin comment box. Not many in our area. Next time we come upon a monolithic foundation, we will cover it n a future video.

[@bhadz100]

Do you put weep holes for a poured concrete foundation

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

No. It is mandatory for block walls.

[@bend4852]

No. Only cinderblock walls because the cinderblocks are hollow and can fill up with water

[@hh-zf1mi]

Aren’t you supposed to not put the drains below the footing?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Correct. Not below or on top.

[@bradadam3924]

What is the plastic layer on top of the waffle board and then concrete?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

6 Mil poly vapor barrier.

[@chrismays6517]

Do you have any recommendations of companies that can do the system the right way like American Dry Basements does in Arkansas??... I need someone to do my basement badly ... It floods horribly... talking an inch or 2 bad

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Unforutanely, I don't know anyone in Arkansas.

[@trevormarsteller]

Do you guys know anyone in Central NY who installs systems like yours?

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Sorry. We don't.

[@RobertMilosevic]

👍

[@XxEr0V]

The installation of the previous system in this home was a joke!

[@shawnschwoyer5990]

Do you have a colleague or a like minded water proofing company in eastern Pennsylvania? Thank you

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Give these guys a try - American Waterproofers Inc. They are in PA, not sure if close to you.

[@bradadam3924]

Shawn where in eastern Pennsylvania.

[@shawnschwoyer5990]

@@bradadam3924 Lehigh Valley Area. Allentown.

[@bradadam3924]

I had two companies come out to my house because I live in Lehigh valley as well. I recommend Basement Waterproofing Etc or Basement Waterproofing Specialist

[@ryerye218]

Shawn, I live in south eastern pa and just had a system like this put in by the basement waterproofing specialists. They did it in one day and did a really good job. It was expensive but it’s only been a month and I notice a difference in the humidity of the basement. Highly recommend.

[@billsmith1962]

Those junky box drains have made Mr. O' Shea a very wealthy man.....

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

They are certainly keeping me busy. 😉

[@LincolnLog]

why the builder didnt install a corrugated pipe connected to sump pump before pouring the slab is beyond me, these channel drain ideas seem hokey

[@AmericanDryBasementSystems]

Many builders don't include subfloor drainage pipes. Building code requires them to waterproof the exterior wall with a thin coat of cement and tar, but it doesn't last long, or isn't enough for some foundations. Those drainage pipes are not so hokey when your basement floods.

[@Thereallyjonez]

I love these videos!