We recently finished a basement waterproofing job in Marshall Michigan, in Calhoun County. This particular job was complicated by something called iron ochre. Iron ochre is a thick, slimy, rust-colored sludge which complicates waterproofing. It’s created due to a natural biochemical process when certain bacteria is in the soil, and it mixes with water and oxygen. Unfortunately, if you have an iron ochre issue it’s probably something you’re just going to have to treat over time, as it’s a condition of the soil itself.
The issue is that this orange sludge poses a severe threat to standard waterproofing systems. It will clog your sump pump, perforated drain tiles, drainage fabric etc, which causes standard solutions to fail under these conditions. If you’re a homeowner with iron ochre problems, you will need a specialized system to prevent system failure and basement flooding.
Fortunately, there is solution and we were able to help the homeowner by creating a customized drainage system. The team at Foundation Restoration designed a tailored waterproofing plan specifically engineered to withstand her existing iron ochre conditions. Our crew installed heavy-duty, accessible drainage components that will resist clogging and allow for easier maintenance through flushing to prevent future backups.
Iron ochre doesn’t disappear on its own. When you start to notice an issue, address it right away, otherwise it can completely clog your drainage system. This leads to total system failure, basement flooding, mold growth, etc. Fixing water intrusion early will protect the structural foundation of your home. If you let the problem go, it could end up resulting in thousands of dollars in costs for emergency restoration services.
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Since the installation, the homeowner’s drainage system has performed flawlessly. Her basement remains completely dry, and we’re pleased to have another satisfied customer! These sorts of issues are more common than many homeowners realize. If you would like us to take a look and see how we can help you, call Foundation Restoration today at 877-MAKE-DRY for a free estimate or fill out our contact form and we’ll come take a look at no charge to you.
