From Heavy Work to Healthy Home: How We Helped One Family Finish Their Renovation — From the Ground Up
At FreshGuard, we’re often called in as the last step in a long renovation journey — and that was exactly the case for this recent project.
The lovely family living in this charming, older fixer-upper had already poured months of effort, love, and resources into updating the main house and garden. But one area still remained untouched — and deeply problematic: the basement.
Despite all the progress above ground, the basement was a source of concern. Damp, moldy, and long-neglected, it had become a space no one wanted to use — and one that was beginning to affect the family’s health. That’s when they reached out to FreshGuard.
Respecting Every Home — and Every Homeowner
Every FreshGuard job starts with respect: for the home, for the client, and for the challenge at hand. We believe in working thoroughly — never rushing from one job to the next — because our customers deserve nothing less. As we like to say: our best customer never comes back — because we’ve done the job right the first time.
In this case, we knew early on that this basement restoration would be no small task.
Phase 1: Getting to the Real Problem — Beneath 400 Kilos of Tile
Before we could even begin treatment, we had to remove over 400 kilograms of old wall tiles — a grueling but necessary process that took nearly an entire working day. Beneath the surface, the situation became clear:
- Water visibly seeping through the brickwork
- Mold growing across the walls
- A lingering, musty odor
- Signs of long-term neglect that posed real health concerns
Once the space was cleared, we began our phased moisture control system — designed to stop water intrusion, rebuild the wall surface, and prepare the area for long-term waterproofing.
Step-by-Step Moisture Protection
With the walls exposed and the space cleaned, we started the technical process:
🧱 Step 1: Waterstop Cement
We applied a fast-acting Waterstop layer across the basement walls. This special cement stops active water seepage and reveals exactly where pressure and infiltration are most intense.
🧱 Step 2: Repair Plaster
Once the waterstop had done its work, we applied a repair plaster layer — a key step that stabilizes the wall surface and creates a solid foundation for the final cement-based waterproofing.
At this stage, even before sealing the space, the family already noticed a change. The mold was gone. The smell had improved. And most importantly, the health symptoms (headaches, sneezing, breathing issues) began to ease. This is the kind of impact that motivates our team every day.
What’s Next: Sealing, Flooring, and Ventilation
While Phase 1 is complete, the job isn’t done yet.
We’ll return once the basement has had time to dry naturally — ensuring that every layer has had time to cure properly. In Phase 2, we’ll:
- Apply two layers of cement-based waterproof coating
- Seal the floor with a water-resistant mortar
- Install a permanent ventilation unit — a must-have in any basement to regulate humidity and prevent future mold growth
From Burden to Blessing
Basements are often the most overlooked — yet critical — parts of a home. This project reminded us how vital a clean, dry basement can be. It’s not just about storage or usable space. It’s about health, peace of mind, and finishing what you started.
At FreshGuard, we’re proud to be the final step in that transformation — and to do it right.
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