Basement waterproofing


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Old 09-16-17, 08:35 AM
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Basement waterproofing

Hello All,
Much appreciate you reading this and giving me your input.
I recently had my basement waterproofed by a waterproofing company. However, I recently discovered some things with the work that have me concerned.
Unfortunately, I havent taken enough before pictures not thinking anything would be an issue, so I have limited information to work with and attached all the pictures I have. My concern is with A) how much concrete was poured in. For example in the picture by the sump pump is about 2'' of concrete over the gravel (see pic). In the picture with the hole by the sewer cleanout its about 3'' to the gravel. Looking at some of the before pictures I have to assume that most of the room is covered under 3-4'' concrete slab but it must be only 2'' near the walls. is the 2'' near the walls enough?
B) The fact that the concrete doesn't go on top of the footings is a bit of a concern to me because previously water was coming in from the joints of the wall and the footing. We now have a french drain there leading to the sump pump but im still concerned that this wasn't done right. There are cracks in the membrane in the corners of the room. I think they didnt pour it that high because they promised us we wouldnt lose height. But now I think we have an improperly done floor.

The question is what should i do now? should i just patch up those holes and cracks in the membres and concrete and move on? I really dont want to reopen the floor and repour it. Can i just put poly over the cracks and holes?
Or does the concrete have to be poured over the membrane where it meets the footing?

Thank you very much for your help!
 
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Old 09-16-17, 08:58 AM
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I worked on a lot of waterproofing jobs. However, it was done from the outside. Anything else is water management which is okay if a high water table exists. I wouldn't expect that concrete poured inside would stop water from entering. If it does, you were lucky. Is there a drain at the bottom of the stairs? Was water entering there? How far from the door was the trouble spot?
 
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Old 09-16-17, 10:35 AM
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There is a drain at the bottom of the stairs and the door is an issue when debris block off that drain. However most of our trouble spots are by the side wall. We have a high water table and hydrostatic pressure was pushing the water up. It would seep through the floor and mostly come in from holes where the concrete slab and the wall use to meet. Also used to come in in the middle of the room where the bathtub rough in was because there was no concrete in that area, it was open and there was only gravel. We put a french drain all across the walls. But I'm worried if the sump pump fails water could easily come through those areas by the walls again.
 
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Old 09-16-17, 10:52 AM
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The high water table is the main problem. If you are worried about the sump pump failing, what about a second pump on a different circuit?
 
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Old 09-16-17, 09:01 PM
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I think i'll have to put in a backup pump when i finish the basement. But given the sump pump i have right now i wont make it a DIY job, which is why i rather go with the patch up of the concrete holes.

Just wondering if that's a useless exercise?
 
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Old 09-17-17, 12:33 AM
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I would feel much safer with a second pump. It doesn't matter if you DIY or not. IMO, patching the holes is not a replacement for a second pump. It can't hurt to do both.
 
 

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