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Message |
    
cannuck
Citizen
Username: Cannuck
Post Number: 61
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 3:30 pm: | 
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We've been in our house for a few years now and with the recent rains we've just noticed water gathering in one corner of our basement. We already have french drains and a sump. The water doesn't seem to be coming from the windows, pipes or anywhere I can tell. Does anyone have any suggestions on who to call? Is this a plumber call even if I don't know that it's coming from a broken pipe?
Many thanks! |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 717
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 8, 2006 - 4:30 pm: |
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We used to take water in our basement with rainy weeks, and there are French Drains, but no sump. Last Fall, neighbors address a external drainage situation 30 - 40 yards away from our house. Since they've addressed the issue, we've not had one problem (knock on wood).....I almost feel as if I should write them a check for the % of their costs. All this, after I fretted about the various things I needed to do in my own basement, for naught.
My point is this: perhaps its worth taking a look at the drainage run off and sewer drains around your home first, as I am now convinced that Basement Problems are really caused by the larger external water movements around us on these hills. Not the condition of the home you live in. Take a walk around the house perimeter, and see if anything sticks out. |
knak
Citizen
Username: Knak
Post Number: 165
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 9:31 am: |
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Any recommendations for who to ask for assessment of external landscaping problems/ plans to remediate this problem? Many posters have suggested fixing this before waterproofing a basement, but I'm not sure where to start. We have pretty new gutters, but our yard is flat and gets boggy.
Landscaper? Are there specialists in drainage? Costs to change slope of yard(s)? |
Ibeme
Citizen
Username: Ibeme
Post Number: 8
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
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We too take on water in our basement. It seems to come up through the lab on the uphill side of our lot and through the wall on the uphill side as well. I'd like to finish the basement, put in a french drain, sump pump(s) and the whole nine, but I suspect it may be an external issue. I can't even drive a nail straight let alone assess external drainage issues. I could use a resource for this. |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Momof4peepers
Post Number: 97
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 1:32 pm: |
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For addressing water drainage issues, you'll want either an engineer or a landscape architect (NOT designer). Foresight Engineering did our home inspection, but I think they do this sort of thing as well (I seem to recall the home inspection part of their business was more minor). If nothing else, it's a name that can get you started. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11782
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, June 10, 2006 - 3:58 pm: |
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Cannuck's solution may be as simple as cleaning the gutters and making sure the leaders direct water well away from the house. It is pretty simple to walk around your house during a rain storm and see where water is puddling against the foundation. Some soil, a shovel, a rake and an hour or so can often correct these problems.
My suggestion is to try the simple things first and then work up to major work if the simple, inexpensive fixes don't work.
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cannuck
Citizen
Username: Cannuck
Post Number: 62
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 6:21 pm: |
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Thanks everyone. I had a look around and didn't see anything, but, come to think of it, we probably do need some gutter cleaning. I'll let you know what happens! |
Ibeme
Citizen
Username: Ibeme
Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 11, 2006 - 10:06 pm: |
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my architect suggested the gutters, which I replaced as soon as we closed. They needed replacing/redirecting. While that may have helped with something, it didn't help with the water int he basement. Fortunately, teh water that collects is relatively minor and does so one side. I would, however, like to remediate as much as possible. My contractor claims to know what he's doing in order for me not to waste money in the process of finishing the basement, but would love to get a second opionion from someone that really knows what they're doing with this sort of issue.
I wonder if Smarty can tell me how they found out what the real problem was on their block with the external drainage/leak issue. |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 340
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 9:38 am: |
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When we moved in, all the downspouts led to underground drains.
In the corners of the basement, there was evidence of water seepage - white growth, efflorescence I think it is called - in the corners.
One day I noticed a neighbor's storm drain emptying into the street.
I realized that my house had no drains at the curb. The downspouts were leading the water straight to my foundation! I theorized that at one time there were drains to the street, but they had collapsed over time and were covered over when the street/curbs were re-done.
I put in leaders taking the water away from the house and have not seen any new efflorescence. |
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