In the picturesque town of Princeton, New Jersey, history lives in every corner. One such piece of history is this charming 100-year-old home that stood as a testament to time. But with age comes specific challenges. In this case, the challenge was water intrusion that began to threaten the integrity of this beloved residence. In the fall of 2013, the homeowner contacted South Jersey Waterproofing to safeguard their home from water-related issues.
The Challenge:
Upon inspection, our team discovered the main concern was water seepage into the basement. And while the homeowner had a clear goal. That was to add headroom to the basement while ensuring that water infiltration would be a thing of the past, the project posed unique challenges. Notably, tree roots under the foundation floor required careful navigation, and the dense shale/clay soil beneath posed excavation difficulties.
Navigating Challenges:
Being a waterproofing company that often works in the Princeton, New Jersey area- we know their roots run deep. Literally.
The presence of tree roots underneath the basement floor presented an obstacle. One of the main challenges was carefully removing these roots, ensuring that the home’s structural integrity remained intact. Also, the dense shale/clay soil took a lot of work to excavate. South Jersey Waterproofing deployed specialized techniques to overcome this challenge, ensuring a safe and efficient excavation process.
Considering these specific challenges, we moved forward with our three-prong approach to solving the headroom and water intrusion issues.
The Solutions:
- Basement Floor Lowering- To compensate, we devised a strategic plan to lower the basement floor to create additional headroom and facilitate effective drainage solutions. This process involved meticulous excavation to ensure we could preserve the historical aspects of the home.
- Drain System and Sump Pump Installation- Addressing the water intrusion challenge required an efficient drainage system, so we installed a state-of-the-art drain system to channel water away from the basement area. This proactive measure aims to prevent potential flooding and dampness. Also, a sump pump was installed as a critical component of the waterproofing strategy to enhance water management further. The sump pump efficiently removes excess water that might accumulate in the basement, reducing the risk of flooding.
- Foundation Wall Coating- Lastly, the foundation walls had some love given to them too. The South Jersey Waterproofing team applied a high-quality, white foundation wall coating to improve aesthetics and add an extra layer of protection against moisture.
Results and Benefits:
Once again, our waterproofing solutions transformed the historic Princeton, NJ, home into a fortified fortress against water intrusion. The basement, once vulnerable to dampness and flooding, was now a dry, comfortable space that added value to the property. The aesthetic appeal of more headroom and a foundation wall coating provided an uplifting touch, seamlessly blending modern functionality with timeless charm.
This home stands as another testament to South Jersey Waterproofing’ ‘s expertise and commitment to preserving the heritage of historic homes while modernizing their defenses against water intrusion. With innovative solutions, careful planning, and effective execution, we achieved a remarkable transformation that will continue to protect this century-old treasure for generations to come.
If you’re seeking reliable, comprehensive solutions that honor the past and secure the future: contact South Jersey Waterproofing. We are your family-owned, trusted partner for waterproofing and structural repair jobs not only in Princeton, NJ, and all over New Jersey and Pennsylvania- for over three generations!
Call us at (856) 428-8271 or CLICK HERE to schedule your waterproofing assessment today!
