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Basement Waterproofing near Washburn, WI

CASE STUDY

BASEMENT WATERPROOFING NEAR WASHBURN, WI

A homeowner near Washburn, WI was dealing with excessive water intrusion and severe ambient moisture that completely overwhelmed their basement dehumidifier. Seeking to prevent mold growth and foul odors, they turned to DBS for a professional, engineered solution.

Check out these Before & After photos of our concrete living and leveling repair using PolyLevel.

Our customer in Washburn, WI, was concerned about excessive water intrusion and moisture in the basement, surpassing the capacity of the existing dehumidifier. The primary goal was to achieve a dry basement to prevent mold and unpleasant odors. Key challenges included the necessity to rough cut studs for installation, connecting to the current sump system, and replacing the exterior discharge line with a buried line. One of our Design Specialists went to the home to run a free no-obligation estimate appointment. After a thorough inspection, our Design Specialist provided the homeowner with a free no-obligation estimate for our Basement Waterproofing System. One of our crews installed a new sump pump and our WaterGuard® french drain system to thoroughly waterproof the space which provided the homeowner with peace of mind!

Why Choose Us

We provide patented permanent home performance solutions with up to a 75-year transferable warranty!

We will treat you like family throughout your entire experience!

We are experienced with over 4,300 customers helped!

BBB Rating of A+

Over 40 Years of Industry Experience

Family Owned and Operated

Thumbs Up forIntegrity

Schedule your free
Basement Waterproofing Inspection

Schedule your free
Basement Waterproofing Inspection

Basement Waterproofing
Homeowner Reviews

your neighbors are talking about us…

DBS Repair has been waterproofing, draining, and dehumidfying
basements in and around homes across Minnesota and Wisconsin,
from Duluth to Eau Claire, for nearly 15 years!

See what your neighbors have been saying about DBS Repair’s
basement waterproofing and encapsulation services.

Charles
3 weeks ago
The job was done quickly but well. The installers were courteous and went to great lengths in explaining the work that was done and how to monitor it in the future. I would highly recommend DBS for any basement work.
Kathleen Trihey
1 month ago
I had Luke take care of my Basement SaniDry dehumidifier which I originally had installed in 2018. It really works wonderfully but showed needing refrigerant about every 10 months. This means sending it in and after the 5 year warranty the hassle and cost seemed unreasonable. DBS did well by me and I feel confident recommending this service.. Luke is very knowledgeable and able to provide the information I needed in lay person terms which I really appreciated.
Michael Smith
1 month ago
Thank you DBS, Jake was very professional and explained everything that they would do to stop water coming into the main building at Northwood Children Services . Jake explained that all work done was a lifetime warranty. I was expecting a very high quote but the quote was very reasonable . A decision was made right away to schedule DBS to do the work. I would highly recommend DBS for any repairs you may need done to stop water leaks in basements or a commercial buildings. Michael Smith Northwood Children Services!
Michael Gilgosch
1 month ago
DBS provided a complete solution to our wet basement problem and continue to respond to our maintenance requirements. A recent visit to replace the main sump pump was completed quickly and the technician answered all our questions and explained the operation of the entire system in detail. We have complete confidence in the installation and maintenance process. We now can relax knowing our home is safe.
jacqueline johnson
2 months ago
My experience with DBS fixing my flooding basement was very positive. Everyone was so friendly and professional. I am very pleased with the job they did for me. Would highly recommend them.
Elliot Kim
2 months ago
DBS encapsulated and insulated my crawl space. They did great work, looks good, done fast. Feels warmer and dryer in the basement right away. Thank you DBS, Nick, and Heidi!
Photo from customer review
Brett Brusse
2 months ago
Had DBS come out and give me a quote on repairing a basement wall made of concrete blocks. The wall had big stair stepping cracks, horizontal cracks, and the wall was bowing in. I had multiple company’s out for quotes. The Guy from DBS, Henrik was the first quote I received. He didn’t try to scare me or push me into a sale. He told me what was wrong and what I needed to do to repair it. I didn’t have the same experience with other contractors, I was quoted thousands of dollars of repairs that weren’t necessary and was quoted obnoxious amounts of money to fix it. DBS was always upfront annd honest. Obviously I went with DBS. They installed brackets to secure the wall and straighten it. They were great to work with, their goal was my goal, ensuring the integrity of the wall. The whole process was very easy from my side. I can’t believe the amount of work Shane, the installer was able to get done in one day. Great, honest company. I’d recommend them to anyone.
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Mike Skubic
2 months ago
Travis was very friendly and professional. Even tho I was not watching him perform his duties, he fully explained what he did and assured me my system was up to spec. He cleaned up behind him, and left my basement as clean as when he came. A good guy!
Randine Lewis
2 months ago
Definitely worth it - I feel quite confident with DBS. They raised my basement and installed a sump pump, which they make sure is running smoothly. They are on time and reasonably priced.

Basement Waterproofing: What DBS Repair can do for you

Wet Basement in Minnesota? Here’s Why Water Is Getting In — And Why It Won’t Stop on Its Own

Minnesota Homeowners: Protect Basements in Duluth, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Baxter & Surrounding Counties

Why Basements Flood: More Entry Points Than You Think

Basement water problems don’t come from one place, they come from everywhere at once. Across Duluth, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Baxter, Elk River, Big Lake, Sauk Rapids and nearby St. Louis, Stearns, Sherburne, Benton, Crow Wing and Cass counties, heavy snowmelt, freeze-thaw cycles, clay soils and seasonal high water tables can put basements under pressure from multiple directions.

The most common basement water entry points:
Wall cracks, vertical, horizontal, and stair-step cracks allow groundwater to seep through under hydrostatic pressure
Floor cracks, expose your interior directly to water welling up beneath the concrete slab
Leaking window frames, aging seals break down and separate, letting water bypass the frame entirely
Hatchway doors, leak from three points: under the metal doors, where the hatchway meets the foundation, and through cracks in the concrete surround
Burst pipes or failing plumbing, water heaters, washing machine lines, and burst pipes can flood a basement in minutes
Failing sump pumps, the one system meant to stop flooding is also a flood risk when it fails without a backup


⚠️ DBS Repair Warning: Even the smallest wall or floor crack is an open door for groundwater. Foundations that have settled or shifted are more likely to develop water intrusion because the two problems often travel together.

Floor Cracks, Window Leaks and Hatchway Failures:

The Entry Points Most Homeowners Miss

The most dangerous basement leaks aren’t always the most dramatic. Slow, chronic seepage through floor cracks and window frames causes just as much long-term damage as a sudden flood, and it’s easier to ignore until it’s too late.

What to watch for at each entry point:
Floor cracks, water pooling near the center of the floor, damp concrete that never fully dries, efflorescence (white chalky mineral deposits) along crack edges
Window frames, water staining on the wall directly below the window, peeling paint or bubbling drywall near the sill, visible separation between the frame and foundation
Hatchway doors, rust stains on the concrete stairwell, water lines on the walls after rain events, standing water on the stairway floor after storms
The universal warning signs of basement water intrusion:
Visible cracks, vertical, horizontal, or stair-step patterns on walls or floor
Efflorescence, white, chalky staining on masonry surfaces
Persistent dampness, walls or floors that feel wet to the touch even in dry weather
Musty odors, the first sign of active mold growth behind walls or under flooring

What Happens When Water Gets In:

The Full Cost of a Wet Basement

A basement flood, even a small one, doesn’t stay small for long. Water renders your basement completely unusable within hours and begins destroying everything it contacts immediately.

Immediate damage water causes:
Drywall, carpet, and finished flooring, absorb water and begin deteriorating within 24 hours
Stored personal possessions, furniture, documents, photos, electronics, often total losses
HVAC equipment, furnaces, water heaters, and air handlers located in the basement are destroyed by standing water
Appliances, washing machines and dryers become unsafe and potentially dangerous to operate while water is present
What to do immediately if your basement floods:
Move all items off the floor and to upper levels as fast as possible
Do not operate electrical appliances in or near standing water
Do not enter if water level is near electrical outlets or panels
Call DBS Repair, our specialists assess water entry points during the same visit

Mold, Mildew, and Musty Odors

The Hidden Consequence of a Chronically Wet Basement

Standing water is an emergency. But chronic moisture, the kind that never fully dries out between rain events, is a slow-moving disaster that most homeowners don’t catch until the damage is severe.

What chronic basement moisture does over time:
Destroys building materials, mold grows on wood, paper, drywall, insulation, and carpet, eventually consuming the host material entirely
Rots structural framing, floor joists and girders weakened by rot lose their load-bearing capacity, leading to sagging or unsafe floors
Pollutes your indoor air, mold spreads by releasing airborne spores that circulate through your entire home via the HVAC system
Creates serious health risks, prolonged mold exposure causes respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and long-term health effects, especially for children and elderly family members
The mold timeline in a wet basement:
24–48 hours: mold begins colonizing wet surfaces
1–2 weeks: visible mold growth appears on walls, wood, and stored items
1–3 months: structural wood begins to show rot damage
6+ months: framing integrity is compromised; remediation costs increase dramatically


✅ The solution isn’t drying it out after it floods, it’s preventing moisture from entering in the first place. DBS Repair’s permanent waterproofing systems stop water at every entry point before mold ever gets a foothold.

See What You Qualify For — It’s Free

Minnesota homeowners in Duluth, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Baxter, Elk River, Big Lake, Sauk Rapids and surrounding counties can apply on the spot during their in-home appointment. No obligation.

Basement Waterproofing Service Areas in Minnesota

DBS Repair provides basement waterproofing for homeowners across Northern and Central Minnesota, including Duluth and St. Louis County, St. Cloud and Stearns County, Elk River and Sherburne County, Sauk Rapids and Benton County, plus Brainerd, Baxter, Crow Wing County, and Cass County.

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