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1. gfw123
   Member Profile

   Well, after that big rain storm last week I got some water into my finished basement. I pulled off some baseboards and found some mold and wet dry wall (which is kind of funny).

   I a looking for recommendations for someone to repair the walls and baseboards and also someone who can make sure this doesn't happen again. So, I am thinking french drains or some other system for the yard and around the house.

   Thanks for any help at all, just want to get this all behind me as soon as I can.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

2. JayDee
   Member Profile

   gfw123: The first thing is prevention -- snoop around and see if you can figure out if water from your downspouts isn't draining away from the house, or if a gutter overflowed -- Water next to the house is bad because most foundations are surrounded by disturbed earth. Any water getting to the foundation is a problem.
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   Since you had a finished basement, this is not likely a recurring problem unless some drainage that used to work (french drain, sump pump, roof drains) is not working or is blocked. Of course, I am assuming the basement was finished years ago and you are relatively new to the house.
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   If you search WSB for wet basement you can find scores of similar stories and rec's for companies who can fix them. Good luck.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

3. redblack
   Member Profile

   

   actually, the first step is to eliminate the leak. your foundation wall was designed and built to be a water tight structure. (if it was built properly.) is it a concrete (cinder) block wall? or is it cast-in-place concrete?

   first you need to locate the source of water intrusion and eliminate it. it could be a pinhole leak, a man-made hole or leak (e.g. a hole for utility lines), a crack from settlement, or a crack from earth movement.

   hydraulic cement is incredible stuff! google it.

   secondly, divert water away from your foundation with french drains, scuppers, etc. this can be complicated, since everywhere on earth is a watershed, and it is illegal to simply divert water onto your neighbor's property or into the public right-of-way. (there are exceptions to the latter.)

   also make sure the tops of your perimeter drains (the trench full of gravel that surrounds the bottom of your house's foundation) is clear of debris and vegetation. rooting plants should be planted a minimum of 2' from your foundation walls, and trees should be planted no closer than 8' - and away from utilities - depending on the size of the root structure.

   and if you do it yourself, remember to call SPU before you dig if you need to locate utility lines.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

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