Herb
02-14-2007, 11:56 AM
I have a 40 year old home with poured concrete foundation and basement floor. I get water in during a hard rain. It seems to come in the crack between the floor and the foundation. It most likely is a grading problem in the yard since the problem, although always there, increased after landscaping next to the front of the house with rock and shrubs. I am hesitant in spending money to regrade the yard and perhaps not solve my problem. I am sure I have water under the basement floor but am unsure of where it enters. I am considering a sump pump system. I would drain tile the length of the 14' wet wall and the 10' adjacent wall (both exterior foundation walls) and run the collected water about 12' to the utility room where the sump pit would be located. I have several questions: 1. Does the sump pump discharge outside or can it go in the drain in the utility room floor? How deep should the drain tile be on the two walls mentioned (below floor)? Does the lateral (drain ?) that takes the collected water from the walls to the sump pit require a certain pitch? Will this eliminate my wet basement floor allowing for new carpeting and drywall without the threat of mildew? Does the work require a permit and final inspection for code? Are there any other suggestions on tackling this problem? Finally, I would contract the job to a local company. I have heard horror stories about high priced basement repairs not done correctly and not solving the problem; how do I assure myself I hire a company that will do only what is necessary and not pad the bill with additional work; will do the work correctly and with quality componants and labor? Thanks.