BEAVER® Basement Waterproofing LEVEL 1 Installation Guide

HOW IT WORKS: Relieve hydrostatic pressure along your basement walls with our baseboard drainage system. Dry up your wet basement so it can be finished to add extra living space and value to your home.

Most wet basement problems are caused by water collecting around the foundation, creating hydrostatic pressure. The pressure forces water through the joint where the wall and floor meet, and even through cracks and pores in the concrete block walls. The BEAVER® baseboard solves the problem by doing what paints, plugs and sealers can’t do; it collects the water and quietly drains it away to your basement sump-pump.

Pressure is relieved by drilling holes in the concrete block cavities at floor level. The BEAVER® Basement Waterproofing Baseboard System is then installed along the walls and sealed to the floor with Border Bond® adhesive. When water collects around the foundation, it seeps from the holes in the blocks, and from the seam where the wall and floor join, into the hollow baseboard and is directed to your sump-pump.Border Bond® adhesive bonds water tight in wet conditions!

Poured Wall Basements

Poured-wall basements have cracks from the upper part of the wall extending down to the floor. These cracks seep water and relieve water pressure around the basement. Seal all vertical cracks (or complete wall area) except for the bottom 3 inches of the wall or cracks with a waterproofingpaint or sealer.

Never seal the joint where the floor and wall meet! This joint must be kept open to relieve hydrostatic pressure. The BEAVER® Basement Waterproofing Baseboard System will collect water seepage from vertical wall cracks and from the joint where the floor and wall meet and channel it to your floor drain and sump pump.

Block Wall Basements

The BEAVER® Basement Waterproofing Baseboard System is just as effective in block wall basements as it is in those with solid poured walls. Because the baseboard is not attached to the wall, it allows air to circulate within the block cavities to help keep them dry. It also provides a source of disposal for upper wall moisture collected by the vapor barrier. You cannot aerate cavity walls to keep them dry or provide a method for collecting moisture from the vapor barrier with any other method. It is another important advantage of the BEAVER® baseboard system.

Watch the Basement Waterproofing Installation Video

LEVEL 1 EASY Install Guide:

Our ease of installation for our Border Patrol Basement Waterproofing System is unparalleled. He is a quick step-by-step process to show you how easily you can fix your wet basement with our custom DIY (Do-it-Yourself) line of basement waterproofing products.

* Click on the images within each step to see larger images.

Download the LEVEL 1 Installation Guide

Step 1 : Tools You Will Need

These are the tools that you will need to easily install the Beaver Basement Waterproofing System.

You will need a drill with a half inch masonry bit to drill holes into the wall.
You will need a rough surface sander or a rough surface removal bit for a drill.
You will need a sponge to clean debris from the wall and floor area.
You will need a cauk gun to apply the adhesive.
You will need a heavy duty scissors to cut pieces to length when needed and open the tip of the adhesive.

Drill

Sander or Rough Bit

Sponge

Caulk Gun

Heavy Duty Scissors

Step 2 : Relieve Hydrostatic Pressure

Make “weep” holes in the cells of each block (4″ – 6″ from each end ) at the point where the floor and wall meet. This can be done with a drill and ½” masonry bit. Solid poured concrete walls have no cavities, so weep holes are not required.

Make weep holes in the cells of each block (4 – 6 in. from each end ) at the point where the floor and wall meet. This can be done with a drill and 1/2 in. masonry bit. Solid poured concrete walls have no cavities, so weep holes are not required.
Drill the hole deep enough to penetrate the hollow interior of the block.
Continue to drill weep holes every 4 – 6 inches where the baseboard section of the Beaver waterproofing system will be used.

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Step 3 : Prepare the Surface

To properly bond and seal the system to the concrete floor, the floor area along the wall (approx. 3″ wide) must be stripped to bare concrete. To remove all paint or tile adhesive, use a 3M metal paint stripper-wheel with your electric drill.

To properly bond and seal the system to the concrete floor, the floor area along the wall (approx. 3 in. wide) must be stripped to bare concrete.
To remove all paint or tile adhesive, use a 3M metal paint stripper-wheel with your electric drill.
Utilize an electric sander or electric drill with a sander/stripper bit to remove any paint or tile adhesive from the wall and floor.
To properly bond and seal the system to the concrete floor, the floor area along the wall must be stripped to bare concrete.

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Step 4 : Clean the Surface

It’s very important that you do this step properly. After the floor area has been stripped, wash with clear water and sponge to remove all dirt and dust. When finished feel the area with your fingers for any loose grit left behind.

It’s very important that you do this step properly. After the floor area has been stripped, wash with clear water and sponge to remove all dirt and dust. When finished feel the area with your fingers for any loose grit left behind.
After the floor area has been stripped, it is helpful to sweep the area prior to washing with clear water and sponge to remove all dirt and dust.
After the floor area has been stripped, wash with clear water and sponge to remove all dirt and dust.
When finished feel the area with your fingers for any loose grit left behind.

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Step 5 : Placement of Corners

Begin by placing pre-mitered corner sections in all corners. Mitered joints should have little or no gap.

Begin by placing pre-mitered corner sections in all corners.
Mitered joints should have little or no gap.

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Step 6 : Cut, Fit & Layout the Baseboard Sections

Cut and trial-fit the baseboard along the walls between the corner sections. Use tin snips or a hack saw to cut the sections as needed.

Cut and trial-fit the baseboard along the walls between the corner sections. Use tin snips or a hack saw to cut the sections as needed.
Cut and trial-fit the baseboard along the walls between the corner sections.

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Step 7 : Angle Cut Adhesive

Angle cut the tip on the nozzle of the 10 ounce tube of adhesive just under the cone shaped end. This should provide an opening capable of extruding a ½” to 5/8″ bead necessary for applying to all surfaces.

Angle cut the tip on the nozzle of the 10 ounce tube of adhesive just under the cone shaped end. This should provide an opening capable of extruding a 1/2 in. to 5/8 in. bead necessary for applying to all surfaces.

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Step 8 : Apply the Adhesive

Turn a main section of baseboard over and apply a heavy bead (½” – 5/8″) to the bottom. Turn baseboard over and set in place … press gently. DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD! The bottom of the baseboard will be approximately 1/4″ away from the wall.

Turn a main section of baseboard over and apply a heavy bead (1/2 in. – 5/8 in.) to the bottom. Turn baseboard over and set in place … press gently. DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD! The bottom of the baseboard will be approximately 1/4 in. away from the wall.
Turn inside corner sections over and apply a heavy bead to the bottom.
Turn inside corner sections over and set in place … press gently. DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD! The bottom of the corner sections will be approximately 1/4 in away from the wall.
Turn baseboard over and set in place … press gently. DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD! The bottom of the baseboard will be approximately 1/4 in. away from the wall.
Turn outside corner sections over and apply a heavy bead to the bottom.
Turn outside corner sections over and set in place … press gently. DO NOT PRESS DOWN HARD! The bottom of the corner sections will be approximately 1/4 in away from the wall.

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Step 9 : Prepare Connecting Surfaces

You will get a much better bond if you use a coarse sandpaper to rough up any vinyl to vinyl surfaces. Rough up both the back side of the connector and the area of the baseboards or corners that will come into contact with it.

Apply a heavy bead of adhesive to the area where two system pieces butt up to each other. For best results, rough the surface with coarse sandpaper first.

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Step 10 : Install Connectors

Apply adhesive to the seam connecting the two baseboard pieces (including corners). Hook the connector at the bottom of the baseboard and snap in place at the top. It’s okay if a connector will not snap in place. The floor might not be level or the baseboards might not line up.

Hook the connector at the bottom of the baseboard and snap in place at the top. It’s okay if a connector will not snap in place. The floor might not be level or the baseboards might not line up.

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Step 11 : Caulk the Floor Joint

Caulk the floor joint with enough pressure to force some adhesive under the system.

Caulk the floor joint with enough pressure to force some adhesive under the system.

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Step 12 : Seal Corner Joints

Apply a generous bead of adhesive over the corner joint, spanning it at least ½” on either side for a watertight bond. A wet finger works well to smooth out the adhesive.

Apply a generous bead of adhesive over the corner joint, spanning it at least 1/2 in. on either side for a watertight bond. A wet finger works well to smooth out the adhesive.

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Step 13 : Seal Floor Joints

A wet finger works well to smooth out the adhesive.

A wet finger works well to smooth out the adhesive.

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Step 14 : Installing an End Cap

Apply adhesive across the bottom and up the wall and down the edge of baseboard. Set end cap in place and caulk all edges again.

Apply adhesive across the bottom and up the wall and down the edge of baseboard. Set end cap in place and caulk all edges again.

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Step 15 : Draining

Listed below are the options for setting up how the BEAVER® Basement Waterproofing Baseboard System will drain the water that it collects into a drain, sump pump or alternate drain option.

Draining to a Floor Drain | Create an open spillway by laying two parallel beads of adhesive (at least 1 in. high and 6 in. apart) from the end of the baseboard to the drain.
Draining to a Sump Pump | Draining to a sump pump in most communities is the proper method of disposing of groundwater. Be sure to check your local building codes before selecting your drainage method.
Alternate Drainage | An alternate method of drainage would be to cut a round hole into the face of the baseboard and insert a standard 1 ½” coupler. Seal the joint with adhesive and run pipe to hose to the drain.
Paneling the Walls | Finishing the basement walls can be accomplished with 2 in. X 2 in. furring strips. Attach the base plate furring strip to the wall 1/2 in. above the baseboard. Sheetrock or paneling can then be installed over the furring strips. A trim board can be added to enclose the system.

Level 1 | Installation Guide