water seeping into basement
#1
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water seeping into basement
I live in akron Ohio. I recently bought a ranch built in 1965 with finished basement. I knew there was a water problem before purchase (bought from my moms estate) and last spring 2004 there was 1 1/2 inch of water through entire basement floor from a heavy rain. I had the lateral replaced and the downspout runs replaced to the street last summer as when I had the main snaked to remove water he hit roots about 90 ft out and then the floor drains started draining so I figured the old clay pipe was broken and roots causing water backup.
Well we have had alot of rain the past week and the water is coming in from the floor cracks and the bottom of the walls. The funny thing is is that the main problem wall is located under the front porch which is concrete and has a roof over it (same roof as the house).
Other than adding dirt to increase the grade away from the foundation does anyone have any other ideas as to a fix to my problem. It has to rain quite a bit to get the problem. I thought the new drains (runs to the street) would do the trick but I guess not.
The house was built without a sump pump (prior to code requiring it here)
I can post pics if that would help either here or on my web site with link
Thanks for any help/input you might have
Well we have had alot of rain the past week and the water is coming in from the floor cracks and the bottom of the walls. The funny thing is is that the main problem wall is located under the front porch which is concrete and has a roof over it (same roof as the house).
Other than adding dirt to increase the grade away from the foundation does anyone have any other ideas as to a fix to my problem. It has to rain quite a bit to get the problem. I thought the new drains (runs to the street) would do the trick but I guess not.
The house was built without a sump pump (prior to code requiring it here)
I can post pics if that would help either here or on my web site with link
Thanks for any help/input you might have
#2
Installation of a sump pump might do the trick by lowering the water table during heavy rains. Break a 3' dia. circle in the floor, dig 4' down. drop a plastic sump basin in, and fill around it with 1" crushed rock. mix up a few bags of cement, to top it off flush with the top of the slab. The pump should eject the water outside, 20-30 feet from the house.
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Sealing the crack
Another way that you would fix that and its much cheaper is to seal the floor crack. Don't use epoxy that re-hardens and then it re-cracks use a pre-polymers and their is probably a couple out there but the one I use is called Crack Seal and I got that from NO ADVERTISING ALLOWED.
Last edited by majakdragon; 01-14-05 at 08:45 AM.
#5
I agree with darren on this one. If you patch the crack, the water will find another place to enter. If the code was changed to require sump pumps there was probably a good reason for it. In any case, if you have water coming in the pump is the way to go. Kind of the "Pay now or pay later" theory. Good luck.
#8
Ya, i usually do too, but i'm still on my first cup of coffee today...
Back on topic..... sealing cracks on the inside is a good idea, but will not cure water leaks when the water table is high. Like Majak said, the water will find another, less obvious path, and you will be forever trying to seal them. I have seen where just digging a big hole and filling it with rock, but no pump was enough to cure basement leaks.
Back on topic..... sealing cracks on the inside is a good idea, but will not cure water leaks when the water table is high. Like Majak said, the water will find another, less obvious path, and you will be forever trying to seal them. I have seen where just digging a big hole and filling it with rock, but no pump was enough to cure basement leaks.
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true but....
what both are saying is true if the water table is high in my opinion the best thing to do is a drainage system (dig up the basement floor and do a drainage system tie to sump pump or city system) just like what Permacrete does. but for any cracks or leaks seriously I wanna know what your opinion is about this crackseal product what is so impressive to me is that its not a patch is a permanent fix.
#10
The idea seems reasonable. You saying it is a permanent fix though has little crediblity. Why is the wall of floor cracked? From settling? If it settle some, won't it settle more?
If water comes in a basement crack, unless it is a very severe crack, means there is water in the ground, right against and applying pressure to the foundation. Hydrostatic pressure may be the cause of cracking during freeze-thaw conditions. I beleive that if the water problems are not fixed then you will still end up with more settling, cracking, and leakage.
If water comes in a basement crack, unless it is a very severe crack, means there is water in the ground, right against and applying pressure to the foundation. Hydrostatic pressure may be the cause of cracking during freeze-thaw conditions. I beleive that if the water problems are not fixed then you will still end up with more settling, cracking, and leakage.
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thanks all for your replies
thanks to all for your insight into my problem.
The water comes in from both the bottom of wall (where floor meets walls) and from hydrostatic pressure where there are cracks in the floor as well.
I will be re-grading the front of the house as there is definately a need for that.
I will also be looking into installing a sump pump. Any ideas on cost for contractor or supplie to do it myself..if it is not tooo difficult
I am not sure if the house has footer drains or not.
thanks again for your input
John
The water comes in from both the bottom of wall (where floor meets walls) and from hydrostatic pressure where there are cracks in the floor as well.
I will be re-grading the front of the house as there is definately a need for that.
I will also be looking into installing a sump pump. Any ideas on cost for contractor or supplie to do it myself..if it is not tooo difficult
I am not sure if the house has footer drains or not.
thanks again for your input
John
#12
Totall cost if you DIY a sump pump will most likely be under $300 for a pump, basin, electrical, and plumbing. One thing about sump pumps that i seldom see mentioned is that they should be on their own dedicated electrical circuit.
Rent a jakhammer for this job......breaking through a floor with a sledge hammer is just too much work.
Rent a jakhammer for this job......breaking through a floor with a sledge hammer is just too much work.
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Yes I agree with darren I would rent a JackHammer. I bought mine from a company called Wise Choice Contruction Product I got the Basin with bolt down cover the pump and back-up battery and so for knock on wood been no problems
Last edited by majakdragon; 01-14-05 at 08:46 AM. Reason: Phone number in post