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Last thursday/friday, between the flash storm on thursday and the heavy rain on Friday, i got some water in my (finished) basement. I believe the water is probably coming in from a crack somewhere in the foundation. I had this problem once before, on the other side of my house, and I dug down to the to the footer of the foundation, sealed up any cracks, and put a membrane in. Now I have the same issue on the other side, and I'm starting to ask this question...Which is better
(1) put a drain + pump in the basement, so any water that does come in either (1) gets drained into the ground or (2) pumped away
(2) dig down the foundation around the entire house and seal any cracks + membrane.
Both have their up sides and down sides, if I do the drain+pump, i (should) never have a problem of standing water, even if a pipe bursts or something (even though most stuff would still be ruined) and any water that did come in for whatever minute reason i missed, would be taken care of, however, the water is still coming in through the walls
Other option gives me the benefit of stopping the water from even coming into the basement walls, but may settle over time and become less useful in the lifetime of me being here. Plus it's possible the water will still come from the weakest point (where the foundation meets the slab)
So any suggestions on which would be the better choice would greatly be appreciated. No sales pitches please
I would say the safest bet is to get the foundation looked at. The first opition seems to be just a bandage to what could be a more serious issue. Just my 2 cents
Last thursday/friday, between the flash storm on thursday and the heavy rain on Friday, i got some water in my (finished) basement. I believe the water is probably coming in from a crack somewhere in the foundation. I had this problem once before, on the other side of my house, and I dug down to the to the footer of the foundation, sealed up any cracks, and put a membrane in. Now I have the same issue on the other side, and I'm starting to ask this question...Which is better
(1) put a drain + pump in the basement, so any water that does come in either (1) gets drained into the ground or (2) pumped away
(2) dig down the foundation around the entire house and seal any cracks + membrane.
Both have their up sides and down sides, if I do the drain+pump, i (should) never have a problem of standing water, even if a pipe bursts or something (even though most stuff would still be ruined) and any water that did come in for whatever minute reason i missed, would be taken care of, however, the water is still coming in through the walls
Other option gives me the benefit of stopping the water from even coming into the basement walls, but may settle over time and become less useful in the lifetime of me being here. Plus it's possible the water will still come from the weakest point (where the foundation meets the slab)
So any suggestions on which would be the better choice would greatly be appreciated. No sales pitches please
Thanks so much!!
We just got our first leak in the basement after 20 years ! I thought the dehumidifier overflowed, but after drying the carpet with a wet vac and moving the dehumidifier, wetness again after the rain.
One thing I noticed was our gutters overflowing like crazy very close to where the water is entering the basement (we have a ranch) . So I'm getting the gutters cleaned this week and hoping that helps - I know there may be a much bigger problem but concrete is porous and I figured try the easiest thing first. Meanwhile, we haven't taken the wet vac out of the basement
One thing I noticed was our gutters overflowing like crazy very close to where the water is entering the basement (we have a ranch) . So I'm getting the gutters cleaned this week and hoping that helps - I know there may be a much bigger problem but concrete is porous and I figured try the easiest thing first. Meanwhile, we haven't taken the wet vac out of the basement
Having a clean gutter system and directing the water far from the house solves 90% of all wet basement issues. Get the kind of downspouts that you can fold up when not in use so that you can divert the water a good 5 or 6 feet from the house.
Having a clean gutter system and directing the water far from the house solves 90% of all wet basement issues. Get the kind of downspouts that you can fold up when not in use so that you can divert the water a good 5 or 6 feet from the house.
Agree with this and other poster - start with the low tech solutions. Clean gutters and extended downspouts can usually do the trick.
Having a clean gutter system and directing the water far from the house solves 90% of all wet basement issues. Get the kind of downspouts that you can fold up when not in use so that you can divert the water a good 5 or 6 feet from the house.
This is a great suggestion. Also, the homeowner should check how the property is graded. Occasionally we see homes where the grade is directing water toward the house. The pump/drain guys aren't going to point this out and ruin a potential sale.
Don't ever turn on Holmes Inspections! My favorite episodes are the leaky finished basements... It is amazing what people hide behind drywall.
Check the gutters and even look at the grading of the property. Look at where the water is sitting on your property. If you're in it for the long haul, get a couple of foundation inspections / quotes to fix it once and for all. Maybe even look behind some walls down there - especially near windows. Mold is very unhealthy long term.
Last thursday/friday, between the flash storm on thursday and the heavy rain on Friday, i got some water in my (finished) basement. I believe the water is probably coming in from a crack somewhere in the foundation. I had this problem once before, on the other side of my house, and I dug down to the to the footer of the foundation, sealed up any cracks, and put a membrane in. Now I have the same issue on the other side, and I'm starting to ask this question...Which is better
(1) put a drain + pump in the basement, so any water that does come in either (1) gets drained into the ground or (2) pumped away
(2) dig down the foundation around the entire house and seal any cracks + membrane.
Both have their up sides and down sides, if I do the drain+pump, i (should) never have a problem of standing water, even if a pipe bursts or something (even though most stuff would still be ruined) and any water that did come in for whatever minute reason i missed, would be taken care of, however, the water is still coming in through the walls
Other option gives me the benefit of stopping the water from even coming into the basement walls, but may settle over time and become less useful in the lifetime of me being here. Plus it's possible the water will still come from the weakest point (where the foundation meets the slab)
So any suggestions on which would be the better choice would greatly be appreciated. No sales pitches please
Thanks so much!!
I put in a french drain and a pump. So far all is well. I also have a lifetime warranty. The name of the company is Basement Systems. Good luck.
I only have a crawlspace basement, being in a flood area....but I second using Healthy Basements Systems! They are awesome- and they will evaluate your situation and make the most approprite recommendation. They are a bit pricey IMO, but they offer interest free financing for a period, if you qualify.
I had a leak in my finished basement after a heavy rain just like you do. I called Harbor basement waterproofing company and they used microfine Bentonite to seal the foundation wall and a crack from the outside. Since then, not a single drop of water in my basement.
Harbor Basement Waterproofing Inc. - Products (http://www.harborbasementwaterproofing.com/products/ - broken link)
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