Foundation Pits


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Old 10-07-13, 05:58 AM
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Foundation Pits

Hi, I have discovered a mess under the floor of the entry of my house. This part of the house is separate, but attached to the basement wall. Originally I started to investigate water leaking from my door and causing the sub floor to rot out. When I removed the sub floor, I discovered the foundation for this entry is about 9-10ft deep. Two different pits, on under each closet. It was apparent that ground down there was moist, but no standing water. Last night we received a good amount of rain and took a look down there. One side had some standing water, but the other side had water streaming in between two blocks where there is no mortar. Pictures are attached. I just don't know what to do? So many things that are wrong here. Shouldn't that area have a moisture barrier below the floor? If I back fill these pits will the water just feed into my drainage tile around the basement? I have some major wood replacement(band board, sub floor, flooring) to do, but don't want to start until this foundation issue is dealt with. Any advice would be great, I have a foundation specialist coming out in a few days....but I think more than one opinion is best. Thanks for your time!
 
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Old 10-07-13, 12:03 PM
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The pits aren't a problem. It was the water getting passed the door. I think that if you just repair the floor & stop the water from entering, it will be fine.
 
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Old 10-07-13, 02:09 PM
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door is a non issue now

I have fixed the door problem. Last night when it was raining i could see water coming in between two of the blocks where there is no mortar. the other side just developed pools of water. If the door was the issue I'd be able to see it.....all of my sub floor and flooring has been removed. Back filling these pits wouldn't help this? the water would eventually go to the drainage tile under the basement floor...right!?!
 
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Old 10-07-13, 08:17 PM
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Any time that water is entering a block wall, it should be sealed from the outside with a membrane. The idea is to stop the water. I know that requires a lot of digging but it would be the end of the problem. There is no guarantee that back fill will help.

Edit: What is the pitch of the ground outside the door?
 
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Old 10-08-13, 04:56 AM
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pitch

There is a pretty good slope from the house out to the sidewalks, but i guess i could use a bit more pitch from the base of the house to about 3ft out or so.

Any suggestion for the other side that doesn't have water coming through the block? It just seeps under the footer I guess.
 
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Old 10-08-13, 05:46 AM
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How high is the water table there?
 
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Old 10-08-13, 05:51 AM
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Good question

I've been asking my neighbors the same question. I have one neighbor that says his sump pump runs all the time....just as mine does (even when it hasn't rained in quite a few days). How could I find out this info?
 
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Old 10-08-13, 06:26 AM
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The local Building Dept. or some local contractors should know. On two occasions, I was hired to dig until I found water. There is a hand tool with extensions that makes it real easy. I rented it for $10. I went down 10 feet in a couple hours.
 
 

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