Question on basement flooding

I recently had my dry basement flood with an excessive rainfall. The hydrostatic pressure was forcing the water up through the cracks in the floor and around the floor and wall joints. However no water came in through any cracks in the wall. I found one source of the problem was improper drainage away from the foundation, my neighbors downspout was directing water right to my foundation. I plan on installing a linear drain between the two properties. A waterproofing contractor suggest that I install floor tile around the inside perimeter of my basement wall with weep holes from the footing which would run into a sump basin. My question is that knowing water follows the path of least resistance, would merely installing a basin in the lowest part of my basement and pumping the water out do the same job on relieving the pressure and prevent the finished part of the basement from being destroyed in the construction.

 

The linear drain you intend to put between the 2 properties and improving the drainage around the perimeter of the property will probably do more for you than a sump pump.

After that I would do the sump pump. What french drains or perimeter drains, as you refer to them as, do is provide a path of less resistance for the water to flow. However, if there is a layer of gravel underneath the concrete floor, this might provide you with a easy path for the water to flow to the pump.

In either case I would recommend the outside drainage first and the sump pump. If the problem persists, you can always add the french drain later.

 

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