Basements with Sump Pump: Why Do They Leak? | Ask The Expert

Pete Westera is the owner of Basement Systems USA and one of the leading authorities on basement waterproofing, crawl space, and foundation repair in the Baltimore, MD area, also serving Philadelphia and Wilmington, DE. 

One of the most frequently asked questions Peter gets from customers relates to the true role of sump pumps in keeping the basement dry. Many homeowners are baffled by the fact that, even though they own a sump pump, their basement still leaks.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, Peter explains that even when there is a good sump pump system, there is the need for a properly working drainage system to effectively capture water from the entire perimeter of the basement and divert it to the sump pump. Otherwise, the basement will leak in the corners where there is no sump pump. 

Peter and his team at Basement Systems USA utilize different types of pipes to collect this ground water. The most commonly used is the WaterGuard System. The typical interior drainage system offered by the vast majority of Peter's competitors utilizes generic corrugated pipes or perforated pvc pipes, which are buried by the footing in an area where they can get easily clogged with mud, silt, and debris and stop working after a while. 

WaterGuard was specifically designed to sit on top of the foundation footing, so it collects water that is mostly clean. It also can be fitted with service ports that can be used to flush the system if necessary. 

WaterGuard has been used successfully for over 20 years to dry basements all over the US and is exclusively available in the Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Wilmington areas through Basement Systems USA.