We recently purchased a 75 year old home in Seattle. There is a leak in the basement that was "fixed" by patching with what appears to be roof tar. Of course the water just found new routes around the patch job and under the slab then up through cracks in the slab that appears to have been poured about 20 - 25 years ago. When it rains heavily for a day or two (which is often here) these multiple leaks combine to form a little stream to the low point in the basement. There appears to be no springs in the area. I have diverted all gutter wash away from the house to no avail. We are on a slightly sloped lot with our back yard neighboors draining in to us. The ground appears to be soft but the surface is not soggy and there is no standing water above surface.

We had a two water proofing companies come out and take a look, both suggested inside perimeter drains. The down side is that it appears we do not have enough grade for a gravity flow system and would have to install a pump. Is there a chance that digging around this summer and trying out a french type drain could solve our problem? What other options are out there? Is it typical to run an inside drain instead of trying to take care of the problem which is outside? Thanks for the help.

 

If the water in your basement is causing you this much concern, then you need to do whatever you think is going to correct it.

It may take both a pump inside and a tile drain outside to cure your problem.

The water is coming from below and you have to decide whether you want to or need to fix it.

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MTAC - VB,MO
www.carpenter.cjb.net
Home repair & Construction

"Where the character and work are always upright"

 

Brent: Yes, the perimeter drains work excellent. There are basically two types.
They are kind of spendy, but worth it. This is definetly not a job you will do yourself.
get a good contractor. Have them give you a guarantee also. The water is in your soil, and is being forced through your floor by hydrostatic pressure. Concrete, even new concrete is no match. The contractor should also install a sort of french drain outside also. Good Luck

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Jack the Contractor

 

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Brent M:
We recently purchased a 75 year old home in Seattle. There is a leak in the basement that was "fixed" by patching with what appears to be roof tar. Of course the water just found new routes around the patch job and under the slab then up through cracks in the slab that appears to have been poured about 20 - 25 years ago. When it rains heavily for a day or two (which is often here) these multiple leaks combine to form a little stream to the low point in the basement. There appears to be no springs in the area. I have diverted all gutter wash away from the house to no avail. We are on a slightly sloped lot with our back yard neighboors draining in to us. The ground appears to be soft but the surface is not soggy and there is no standing water above surface.

We had a two water proofing companies come out and take a look, both suggested inside perimeter drains. The down side is that it appears we do not have enough grade for a gravity flow system and would have to install a pump. Is there a chance that digging around this summer and trying out a french type drain could solve our problem? What other options are out there? Is it typical to run an inside drain instead of trying to take care of the problem which is outside? Thanks for the help.<HR>

Dear Brent, Since your home is 75 years of age,chances are good that the defences originally designed to protect it from ground water are in need of repair. Some of the repairs required may be quite easy and inexpensive. Some proceedures ,however can get very involved.You are wise to take the time to review all of your options before you decide upon a final game plan.
Based on the information provided in your question,I can make a few recommendations.The inside drainage system will probably provide the best results in this case. These types of systems are able to service water problems originating from the wall,as well as those originating from beneath the slab.Exterior systems,typically,cannot provide this dual capability.It is almost always adviseable to include a pump with discharge to the exterior. Do not discharge the pumped water into a sanitary line. This may well be illegal in your community.If it is not illegal now ,it may become illegal soon. This because ground water discharge when combined with sanitary discharge will serve to over load expensive community sanitary waste water systems.
The system which you choose-be it interior or exterior- will become an important factor in the enjoyment of your home.For this reason,it should be built to a very high standard.
That's about all I can say for sure based on the information provided in your question.If you wish to learn more,and I sincerely hope you do, visit www.mydrybasement.com Best Wishes,
Jack Masters