Been there myself—spray foam can be deceivingly reassuring until reality hits. You're spot-on about exterior grading and gutters; honestly, that's half the battle right there. I've seen beautifully insulated basements turn into indoor pools because the outside drainage was overlooked. But hey, don't beat yourself up too much... home improvement is always a bit trial-and-error. Sounds like you're already on the right track with the poly barrier and drainage mats. Keep at it, you'll get there.
Yeah, spray foam can definitely give a false sense of security—I learned that the hard way too. Have you considered adding a sump pump as an extra safeguard? It might seem like overkill at first, but honestly, it's saved me more than once during heavy rains. Sounds like you're already doing great though, and every little tweak helps. Home improvement's always a bit of a puzzle, isn't it?
Totally agree about the sump pump—it's one of those things you don't fully appreciate until you're ankle-deep in water at 2 AM. Spray foam is great for drafts and insulation, but when it comes to flooding, you really need multiple layers of defense. I've found that pairing a sump pump with some smart landscaping tweaks makes a huge difference. For instance, I built up the grading around my foundation and added some gravel-filled trenches to redirect runoff. Honestly, it wasn't even that expensive or complicated, and it's saved me from headaches during storms more times than I can count.
Also, don't underestimate the power of gutters and downspouts. I used to think they were just basic maintenance, but once I upgraded mine and extended them further away from the house, the basement stayed noticeably drier. Home improvement really is like solving a puzzle—sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.
Good points about landscaping and gutters. I've also had luck with French drains—pretty straightforward to install and they've handled some serious downpours. Curious if anyone's tried waterproof paints or sealants on basement walls...worth the effort or just a temporary fix?
French drains are definitely a solid choice, glad they've worked out for you. Waterproof paints and sealants can help, but they're usually more of a band-aid than a permanent fix. If moisture's persistent, addressing the root cause outside is typically more effective long-term...
