Below Grade Life

Honest, practical advice on basement finishing and below-grade living from a veteran Indianapolis contractor.
35 chronicles

Waterproofing & Drainage

Essential guidance on keeping your basement dry — foundation cracks, dimple board, weeping tile, sump pumps, vapor barriers, and drainage systems that actually work long-term.

01
The Basement Waterproofing Channel: What It Is and Why You Need OneLearn what a basement waterproofing channel is, how it keeps your basement dry, and why every founda...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 25, 2026
02
Types of Basement Drainage Systems: What Actually Works (and What Doesn't)Explore the types of basement drainage systems for dry basements. We compare French drains, sump pum...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 24, 2026
03
Foundation Repair Madison: What You Need to Know Before It's Too LateFoundation repair Madison is essential for maintaining your home's structural integrity. Recognize w...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 23, 2026
04
Reframing a Basement Window Into an Egress: Step by StepTurning an existing basement window into a code-compliant egress window. Full step-by-step process, ...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 19, 2026
05
The Four Things That Will Fail in a Basement by Year FiveAfter fixing hundreds of failed basements, these are the four most common things that break down wit...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 17, 2026
06
Sump Pump Pit Placement: Why Your Current Setup Is WrongMost sump pump pits are installed in the wrong spot. After fixing hundreds of them, here’s exactly w...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 15, 2026
07
The Four Foundation Cracks That Matter (And the Ten That Don't)Not all foundation cracks are emergencies. After inspecting hundreds of basements, I can tell you ex...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 14, 2026
08
Dimple Board vs. Rigid Foam: Which Side Does the Moisture Go?Dimple board or rigid foam for basement walls? I’ve installed both on hundreds of jobs. Here’s the s...
Waterproofing & DrainageBen Harlow Jul 13, 2026
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