At Mr. Sponge, we provide injection processes to stop water entry in every case of poured concrete basement wall leaks. Utilizing our polyurethane’s with high pressure injection techniques, we stop every leak. In most cases, basement leaks consist of (wall cracks, tie-rod hole leaks, I-beam leaks, window encasement leaks, honeycomb leaks), All of these can be repaired with injection of SP-3 Polyurethane from the inside.
Other types of basement leaks relating to the floor and drain tile failure are mentioned below.
Our process will place polyurethane in the smallest of basement cracks and follow the path of water in reverse to the entry point, activate and shut down the path, guaranteed with a transferable warranty.
Mr. Sponge started in 1967 and all work is done by the owners of the company. Our injection process started in 1995 and we have injected basement walls every day since then. It is our specialty.
Our service has also been favorably assessed by Sanit-Air, Inc., an indoor air quality company based in Troy, Michigan. Sanit-Air performs air testing and provides air quality evaluations. Tests on basement air taken two weeks after Mr Sponge Inc., has repaired basement leaks show mold levels decreased anywhere from 60 to 90 percent.
- Epoxy Injection failures due to failed technique and incorrect choice of Epoxy waterproofing materials
- Floor drain/panel applications leaking due to failed drainage and due to water entering basement causing sealants to fail
- Vulcum type membranes that were applied as a topical seal causing delamination of surfaces due to water still entering the basement wall crack
- Outside membranes failing or waffle board failure
- Off the shelf Do-It-Yourself membranes applied and not holding
- 1970's era fiberglass membrane failures
- 1970's era channel drain failures
WHY DIG WHEN OUR PROCESS SEALS FROM THE INSIDE ALL THE WAY TO THE OUTSIDE
applications by water-proofer’s that had failed. The method was the 1970's era
channel drain repair. Mr Sponge can inject this type of leak, stop the water and
warranty the repair for 20 years with a one-time transferrable warranty.
©2010 Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, Inc
In some cases, companies will offer this (floor/drain panel) application for standard wall crack repair
in place of new injection technology. When this occurs, companies will install a plastic
panel over the crack and cut the floor to install a new drain line and allow the crack
to drain continually without stopping the water. This installation technique is ineffective because
- It does not stop water
- It allows mold to grow behind the panel
In the photo above, the plastic panel has been removed prior to injecting this leak correctly.
This shows how the mold will grow behind the panel as water continues to seep in the basement.
A WORD ABOUT DRAIN LINE FAILURE IN POURED CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
In the waterproofing industry you will hear the term "Drain Tile". Tiles were used many years ago and newer homes do not have "tiles", but rather drain lines made of pvc. Older tile systems were actually "orangeberg" tiles laid end to end.
When drain lines fail it is very obvious as the leaks are everywhere as well as iron deposits. This type of failure is much different than a wall leak and requires a different application as it is drainage failure under the basement floor. Many companies in southeast Michigan specialize in interior and exterior installation for this problem.
This photograph shows clearly what drain line failure looks like. Iron deposits and water entry
everywhere. It is important to know when determining a solution to this problem you must first
determine which drain system you have in your home. Either one if two: Storm Drain clean-out
which goes to the residential drain lines in the street or a Sump Pump system.
©2010 Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, Inc
IF YOU HAVE A SUMP PUMP
Check the sump pump for proper operation. Many times the float valve will stick due to iron deposits. Failure of the sump pump will cause this condition. Correcting the sump pump operation should be referred to a qualified plumber.
IF YOU HAVE STORM DRAIN TO THE STREET
Have a plumber check if the storm drain line is open and not blocked. Many times the line to the street is blocked and simply needs to be snaked clean. If this is the case in either of the above, your problem may be fixed by a plumber instead of installing new drain tiles, (lines).
If both of these steps fail, then it is likely that you will need drain line replacement. We encourage home owners to get several opinions and quotes in order to make a good decision in your choice of contractors.
Water on your floor is many times mis-diagnosed as drain line failure. It may only be water entering from a wall fracture or unseen tie-rod hole leak leaving a puddle on the floor. Understanding the leak source can save the homeowner thousands in basement repair costs. IF YOU NEED A PLUMBER, PLEASE SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
COMMERCIAL SERVICES FOR MICHIGAN BASEMENT LEAKS
INDUSTRIAL SERVICES FOR MICHIGAN FOUNDATION LEAKS
TIE-ROD HOLE LEAKS IN BASEMENT WALLS
At Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, we service tie-rod hole leaks from (one) to hundreds in one service call. These holes are left behind after the concrete forming mechanism is removed by the foundation contractor.
In many cases, concrete forms are hand built from wood and held together during the cement pour with 5/8 steel rods every 18 inches by two rows being approximately one foot high from the floor and five feet high. Aligned vertically with each other, the two rows are left after the removal of the forming walls and rods. These holes commonly called "rod holes" are one of the most common of basement leak problems. If your home has tie rod hole leaks, they can be repaired permanently with a scientific approach.
In 1996, we observed many contractors repairing these in various ways that would hold approximately 10 years or so. Since there did not appear to be a controlled scientific repair method that offered long term repair performance, we decided to create an acceptable and functional long term method of repair. Our company was granted a patent in 1997 that utilizes a water activated swell plug that is tight fit into the 5/8 opening.
small by most waterproofing companies, we service this condition more often than any repair.
TIE-ROD HOLE LEAKS with the "TRX Compressed Swell Plug"
- User friendly and easy to apply
- Instant water shut off for those 5/8 tie-rod hole leaks
- Second stage long term sealing capability in the water activated swell shaft
- Cost effective - no cheaper solution on the market
- Utilizing the same sealing techniques used in-field at Mr. Sponge Waterproofing
- Sold nationally at http://www.trxplug.com
- Found on http://www.mich.gov as a "Michigan Made Product"
Composed of a single-componemt water activated resin, SP-3 is injected in one appication with no added activator. This one-step process ensures an appropriate blend of urethane-based waterproofing material on every job.
Once injected under pressure, SP-3 fills the openings all the way to the outside of the foundation. it reacts immediately to moisture, creating a lasting bond in 40 seconds or less.
SP-3 Polyurethane produces a resin membrane that is pliable and elastic. It holds its seal with any structure movement up to 1/16 on an inch.
Why does Mr. Sponge have a proprietary urethane. Because with the amount of leaks we service and warranty, we want to ensure that we have a urethane that performs to our specifications and does not fail. We simply could not afford re-leak failure. With this urethane and our owner operated service, we provide the highest control and application possible in leak prevention services.
Epoxy injections started in the industry around the 1980's. The technique utilizes a "jake gun", or hand held caulking gun to push epoxy through the wall crack. In our opinion there are many reasons why epoxy injections fail.
- Epoxy is injected with the hand held "jake gun" which can only produce around 90 p.s.i.
- Epoxy's are very thick. This "jake-gun" injection system cannot deliver the material all the way through the crack which is an average 10 to 12 inch depth.
- Epoxy cures very hard and is also susceptible to opening between the seal and the concrete surface when there is any movement or hydration of the concrete. It does not adhere well to wet surfaces.
- The hydration of concrete takes about eleven years from the time it was poured to complete.
- Polyurethane injections are applied with high pressure pumps that deliver an average injection pressure of 1200 p.s.i. This pressure along with our SP-3 polyurethane will travel through the depth of the wall to the outside (soil side).
- Unlike epoxy, our SP-3 is thin like syrup with a viscosity of 12 which allows maximum travel and saturation under 1200 p.s.i.
- SP-3 also cures very pliable unlike epoxy which is hard and brittle. This pliability allows the polyurethane to move up to 1/16 of an inch from wall shift and hydration.
- SP-3 also adapts well to wet conditions long term since it is water activated.
- Finally, all of this technology of high pressure waterproofing really depends on the person who is applying it.
- In our company, the owners apply all in-field waterproofing services.
- We have experience starting back in 1967 with interior waterproofing as well as the owners having certified builders license in the State of Michigan.
- This question of Polyurethane vs Epoxy was addressed in The Detroit News 09/22/09 by America's Master Handyman® , Mr. Glenn Haege as seen below.
Story credit by America's Master Handyman ® Mr. Glenn Haege, publication date September 22, 2009, The Detroit News
"Look to Mr. Sponge for Urethane Injections to repair basement wall leaks"
The photographs below are examples of (Failed) epoxy injections that were hired by the builder of this condominium. These were done three years prior to Mr. Sponge being hired to inject with polyurethane. These show complete epoxy injection failure.
FINISHED BASEMENTS If you have a leak in your finished basement and have drywall installed
TREE ROOTS AND POURED CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
Tree root destruction is seen more often than any other condition. Trees planted years ago that have matured may have the root system touching your basement wall. While some may disagree, a root hitting the foundation wall (will) cause it to eventually crack and move inward. Removal of the root will solve the problem of pressure against the wall. Some landscapers can dig down and find the root that is causing the crack and remove it. You can then inject the crack to permanently stop the water entry. Not removing the tree roots will only cause further damage and failure in the waterproofing effort. Below are photos showing destruction of brick facia as well as resulting wall cracks.
Tree Root Example One
The same home showing how close the trees were to the foundation.
© 2010, Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, Inc.
Tree Root Example Two
Photo below shows where customer removed a tree close to their house due to basement wall cracks from tree roots.
This tree was removed before the waterproofing service was performed.
© 2010, Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, Inc.
Tree Root Example Three
© 2011, Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, Inc.
© 2011, Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, Inc.
© 2011, Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, Inc.
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