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Case Study: Waterproofing and Stabilizing a Rental Unit in Kansas City, MO

In Kansas City, MO, a 1950-built rental property faced foundation challenges from water damage and hydrostatic pressure.

Cracks in the southern wall were threatening the structure, including a nearby window.

Foundation Recovery Systems, a Groundworks Company, addressed the problem with a two-step plan: first, by eliminating basement moisture using a drainage system, and second, by stabilizing the bowing wall with IntelliBrace™ beams.

The result was a dry, stabilized basement that left the property manager impressed with the repairs.


The Challenge

  • The southern wall of a 1950 rental home had visible cracking, which was worsening.
  • The concrete block foundation was vulnerable to moisture and hydrostatic pressure.
  • Cold Kansas City winters threatened to make the problem worse.

The Solution

  • An interior drainage system and sump pump were installed to remove moisture.
  • A Vapor Barrier was applied to prevent water seepage and lower humidity.
  • Seven IntelliBrace™ beams were custom-installed to stabilize the bowing wall.

The Impact

  • The basement is now dry, and the southern wall is reinforced and stabilized.
  • The IntelliBrace™ system offers ongoing wall correction.
  • The property manager was highly satisfied with the workmanship, professionalism, and long-term value.

Before Foundation Repair & Waterproofing:

Cracking Wall Near Window

The southern wall of this 1950-built Kansas City home showed visible signs of cracking, which had begun to impact a nearby window.

The cracks indicated growing structural stress that couldn’t be ignored.

Concrete Block Foundation Issues

This home was built on a concrete block foundation, which is more susceptible to water-related problems. Over time, hydrostatic pressure and moisture infiltration had weakened the wall, causing it to bow inward and form horizontal cracks—a sign the foundation was under significant strain and needed immediate repair.

After Foundation Repair & Waterproofing:

Basement Moisture Problem

To tackle the water intrusion, our team first addressed the moisture in the basement.

Excess humidity and groundwater were contributing to the foundation issues, so we installed an interior drainage system, wall vapor barrier, and sump pump to capture and redirect water away from the home.

Bowing Wall Stabilization

The southern wall, which had bowed due to hydrostatic pressure, required reinforcement.

We installed IntelliBrace™ beams to permanently stabilize the wall and prevent further inward movement—providing long-term structural protection.

Other Reviews for Our Foundation Repair Near You

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Andrew Chupp was great and they did a great job on the install, thank you!

Andrew Chupp was great and they did a great job on the install, thank you!

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Dominic A. was the technician assigned for our appointment on Friday March 6th and he provided outstanding service! He was friendly,…

Dominic A. was the technician assigned for our appointment on Friday March 6th and he provided outstanding service! He was friendly, knowledgeable and put our minds at ease while addressing the recent issue that we were experiencing. He is an asset to the company. Looking forward to work with him again!

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Aaron W, Kody G and Jon B just finished a huge waterproofing job for us. I don’t have words BIG enough to praise the work they did. They…

Aaron W, Kody G and Jon B just finished a huge waterproofing job for us. I don’t have words BIG enough to praise the work they did. They were timely, courteous, professional and very knowledgeable. So helpful and really kept us informed. Thank you Groundworks for obviously sending us the best crew you have!

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Top notch service thanks to Inspector Ishan from the Toronto branch!!! Ishan showed up at our place for a routine inspection of our…

Top notch service thanks to Inspector Ishan from the Toronto branch!!! Ishan showed up at our place for a routine inspection of our waterproofing system. Only to find out that the pump needed replacement as we have had the system well over 12 years. Ishan spent the time to thoroughly go over our options and explain in detail several times so that we were fully educated. After we decided to replace the pump, Ishan went ahead and did the work. He went over all the things that we needed to know on the operation of the pump afterwards he also made sure everything else was in order. Inspector Ishan was patient, courteous and very dedicated to his work. Thank you for providing an excellent professional customer experience!

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Excellent service. Tai Mark & Levi Hartlief called to let us know they were coming & arrived on time. Before taking up the concrete in the…

Excellent service. Tai Mark & Levi Hartlief called to let us know they were coming & arrived on time. Before taking up the concrete in the basement, they put up plastic sheeting to keep the dust down in the area. They cleaned up any mess they made & had us check the work they did before they left. Would definitely recommend this company to friends & family.

Need Foundation Repair & Waterproofing for Your Home?

Smiling worker in Groundworks uniform holding a level, standing in front of a company vehicle and houses.

Cracks in your walls, standing water in your basement, or floors that feel uneven? These issues often point to problems with your foundation or water management system.

Groundworks Companies, including Foundation Recovery Systems, which serves Greater Kansas City, specialize in diagnosing and solving the root causes of structural damage and basement moisture.

We deliver permanent solutions that keep your home dry, stable, and protected—starting from the ground up.

Related Resources

Foundation Repair & Basement Waterproofing FAQs

Regular inspections are key to a properly functioning and long-lasting sump pump system. When Groundworks installs your basement sump pump, you can enroll in our annual maintenance program to ensure your system continues to protect your home.

Poor drainage causes water to pool around the foundation, compounding the effects of a high water table and increasing seepage risks.

Wall anchors provide critical lateral support, preventing inward wall movement caused by soil pressure and load-bearing demands.