Before & After Photos

Susan and Paul G. of Sterling, IL had a damp, thin, limestone basement. To keep the basement dry, CleanSpace Drainage Matting, CleanSpace Wall and a new sump pump, the SuperSump, were installed to make the basement dry. Susuan and Paul are very happy with their now dry basement. 

When crawl spaces have exposed earth, it can lead to a handful of problems. One incident that Heather D. was having was excess water, causing the damp, cool area to become a hazardous health issue. Mold "feeds" off of the water and darkness, which than seeps into the livable spaces of the home, causing unhealthy breathing air. Calling the experts at MidAmerica Basement Systems can help fix your home's air quality, with the installation of the CleanSpace. CleanSpace is a thick liner that seals the earth off from the crawl space, so moisture cannot seep through. The liner is infused with an antimicrobial material which is used in the prevention of mold growth, which in return makes for a healthy, breathable home for years to come.

Who knew a basement could double as a swimming pool? In the "before" photo, you’ll see why this homeowner in Sterling, IL, was keen to call us—they were dealing with an Olympic-sized water nuisance, thanks to leaking drywall and a persistently damp foundation.

Our team, led by Salesman Andrew Sagar and Foreman Jacob Oetzman, stepped in to turn the tide. Our waterproofing experts worked their magic using a powerhouse combination of:

WaterGuard: To catch seepage at the source.

TripleSafe Sump Pump: For ultimate peace of mind and backup protection.

CleanSpace: To seal out moisture and brighten the space.

The "after" photo tells a completely different story. With the water hazard officially cleared, this basement is finally ready for a fresh coat of paint and maybe even a pool table—the kind that stays dry.

In Sterling, IL, a residential property suffered from severe environmental deterioration within its crawl space, marked by persistent high relative humidity, visible mold colonization, and chronic condensation on nearby window assemblies. These issues threatened the structural integrity of the home's timber framing and degraded the overall indoor air quality of the living space. To resolve these structural and moisture-related failures, the expert team at MidAmerica Basement Systems designed and implemented a comprehensive encapsulation matrix. The technical strategy focused on complete subgrade isolation using the thick, multi-layer CleanSpace® vapor barrier, high-flow Drainage Matting to prevent hydrostatic pooling, and a specialized SmartSump™ crawl space drainage pump system. This structural intervention was engineered by System Design Specialist Andrew Sagar and executed on-site by Foreman Jacob Schultz alongside crew members Colby and Jeremiah.

The preliminary site evaluation conducted by Andrew Sagar revealed a classic failure of uninsulated, unsealed subgrade spaces. Moisture vapor was continuously evaporating from the damp earth floor, rising into the crawl space atmosphere and elevating the relative humidity close to the dew point. This humid air migrated upward, causing heavy condensation on cold surfaces like windows and supporting timber joints, which created a highly favorable environment for wood-rot fungi and mold growth. Left unaddressed, the continuous moisture exposure would soften the floor joists, compromise the subfloor structure, and allow airborne mold spores to infiltrate the home's heating and ventilation systems. To prevent further damage, the engineering plan required completely isolating the home from the damp ground and actively pumping out any water that managed to seep beneath the foundation.

Foreman Jacob Schultz and crew members Colby and Jeremiah executed the installation with seamless precision, beginning with thorough subgrade preparation. The team cleared all debris and organic matter from the crawl space floor before laying down high-flow Drainage Matting. This specialized matting features a dimpled design that establishes a clear path beneath the main liner, allowing water to flow freely toward the sump basin without putting pressure on the vapor barrier above. Next, the crew rolled out the durable CleanSpace® vapor barrier, running the heavy-duty, poly-reinforced material up the foundation walls and sealing every seam with waterproof tape to construct an airtight envelope.

To ensure long-term mechanical drainage, the team integrated the SmartSump™ system directly into the drainage matrix. Specifically engineered for the unique tight spaces of crawl spaces, this high-performance sump pump features a unique cover that seals perfectly with the vapor barrier, preventing moisture from evaporating back into the air while allowing any sub-liner water to be quickly pumped away. The final completion of the project successfully restored the home’s foundational stability and healthy indoor air quality. By combining physical subgrade encapsulation with active drainage, MidAmerica Basement Systems created a permanently dry, clean, and safe space beneath the home, ensuring lasting durability and total customer satisfaction.

Sandra was having issues with water entering her crawlspace, causing the rest of her basement to become damp. She contacted MidAmerica Basement Systems to have her crawlspace encapsulated and install a waterproofing system. Adao offered CleanSpace and a SmartSump to seal off the exposed ground and keep moisture out of the crawlspace. CleanSpace uses a thick liner that will not tear or rip, or mold. Sealing off the moisture from the rest of the home, helps keep humidity levels down, and installing a SmartSump insures the crawlspace will not become wet.