This blog was established for all those who have dealt with a basement waterproofing issue in the past, are dealing with one now - or who want to be prepared for the future. Below you will find a myriad of real problems encountered by homeowners on topics dealing with water seepage, mold, mildew and other related issues. Scroll through all the questions. Chances are you'll find an issue that deals directly with an issue you may be facing. I hope you will also find some suggestions that help you solve the problem. Your comments and suggestions are welcome!
About Basement Waterproofing
This blog was established for all those who have dealt with a basement waterproofing issue in the past, are dealing with one now - or who want to be prepared for the future. Below you will find a myriad of real problems encountered by homeowners on topics dealing with water seepage, mold, mildew and other related issues. Scroll through all the questions. Chances are you'll find an issue that deals directly with an issue you may be facing. I hope you will also find some suggestions that help you solve the problem. Your comments and suggestions are welcome!
Dry Well Backing Up
(Q) I have a dry well that my washing machine and bath tub drain into. My problem is that whenever it rains or when the ground is saturated from melting snow, the washer will back up into my bath tub. What could be causing this and what are possible solutions?
(A) Unless your dry well is completly full there should not be a back up or it is caused by a line blockage to the dry well. If the dry well fills and drains slowly, you may need a second dry well with an overflow connection from the first well.
(A) Unless your dry well is completly full there should not be a back up or it is caused by a line blockage to the dry well. If the dry well fills and drains slowly, you may need a second dry well with an overflow connection from the first well.
Water Under Basement Floor
(Q) In the basement I have water under my floor. I know this by it filling in the hole where our rough-in plumbing is and it is coming up beside our basement drain and flowing into it. I have pumped out thousands and thousands of gallons of water, but it still keeps coming. We do not have a sump but we do have a dry well. One major problem with now trying to put a sump pump in is we have in-floor heating, which won't turn on right now because of all the water under the floor. I think it is the water table. If it is the water table, should I just keep pumping it out every day until it is done? Or - I was thinking I could take off the cap where my rough in plumbing is for my shower and let the water drain into my septic. However, with that amount of water I am afraid it will be extremely hard on my septic field. What do you think my best way is to get rid of this water?
(A) If you are running only water through your septic field it may not do much harm. The idea is to avoid solids hitting the septic field. Your idea of a sump pump would be a much better solution.
(A) If you are running only water through your septic field it may not do much harm. The idea is to avoid solids hitting the septic field. Your idea of a sump pump would be a much better solution.
Basement Vapor Barrier
(Q) Does the vapor barrier in a finished basement need to be a complete air-tight seal? Also, should the poly be located against the bare concrete wall, or should it be located immediately under the drywall between the drywall and the insulation?
(A) The better the seal of vapor barrier the better. It should be applied on top of the insulation, whether it is rigid foam or rock wool type. The idea is to keep warm humid air from reaching the cold wall.
(A) The better the seal of vapor barrier the better. It should be applied on top of the insulation, whether it is rigid foam or rock wool type. The idea is to keep warm humid air from reaching the cold wall.
Correcting the Slope in Backyard
I have a small lawn on the backside of my home. The slope of my lawn is towards the house. I know that it should be away from my house so that water will not go in the basement or I will have the stagnant water in my lawn. Also the same problem is below my deck . How can the slope be corrected?
You are quite correct that the yard should slope away frome the house. If you cannot regrade the yard, you may have to place a catch basin with a drain pipe - placed in a covered trench - to carry away the rain water, to a lower area. Catch basins and drainage pipes are available at most building supply stores.
You are quite correct that the yard should slope away frome the house. If you cannot regrade the yard, you may have to place a catch basin with a drain pipe - placed in a covered trench - to carry away the rain water, to a lower area. Catch basins and drainage pipes are available at most building supply stores.
Leaky Basement
I have found information on how to fix the cracks in our foundation to stop it from leaking during heavy rain, but Im not sure who is the right person to fix it, and/or where to purchase the rubber membrane ourselves. Who should I contact for more info/assistance?
You'll want to locate a local Concrete Flooring Contractor. If they can't do it - they will recommend someone with experience to assist you both for supplies and help.
You'll want to locate a local Concrete Flooring Contractor. If they can't do it - they will recommend someone with experience to assist you both for supplies and help.
Hairline Cracks in Basement Floor
Question: After removing the carpet from our basement floor (following the heavy rain) we discovered several hairline cracks. After two weeks, moisture still appears to be coming up through the cracks due to hydrostatic pressure. How do we seal the cracks so that we can lay vinyl flooring?
If the hydrostatic pressure is high you may not be able to water proof your floor, a high water table usually requires an outlet such as a sump hole and pump. There are water proof sealers available that would certainly help against moisture but are limited against pressure. Also, be sure to check out water sealer products at your local building supply store.
If the hydrostatic pressure is high you may not be able to water proof your floor, a high water table usually requires an outlet such as a sump hole and pump. There are water proof sealers available that would certainly help against moisture but are limited against pressure. Also, be sure to check out water sealer products at your local building supply store.
How to Repair Water Leak
I have a pretty good water leak coming through the brick wall/concrete floor in my basement. I am unable to get to it from the outside, to repair it. Can I repair it thru the inside? How do I repair it and with what ?
Hydraulic injection molding may be the only way to correct the water problem from the inside.
Hydraulic injection molding may be the only way to correct the water problem from the inside.
High Water Table Problems
If you’ve been experiencing evidence of water moisture, you may be dealing with the possibility of a high water table. This dilemma comes about when continuous high rains in an area cause the water table to increase and rise higher than your basement level. This can be evident upon close examination of a concrete floor where all of a sudden it seems that water is being pushed up from the basement. Solving the problem brings into play the use of sump pumps and drain tiles. The other important consideration is where the expelled water is being sent away to. You don’t want it coming it back into the house and so you need to make sure any drainage is adequately away from your home. Likewise, always check to make sure downspouts are positioned to “move” the water as far away as possible from the home. As always, if the situation looks like it is not a task you’re up for, bring in a professional basement waterproofing expert to assess the situation and get a quopte to have the problem properly dealth with.
Question: A high water table is something I have learned to live with. Basement flooding is a part of it. People have told me a sump pump would not be an effective method of dealing with this. I know you might say a trough is the way to go but given the economy today thats an expense Im trying to avoid. Can you advise on the grade and best recommendation how far you need to go before graduating down?
Answer: Regrading around your home is not going to solve your problem - or at least the effect from that would be minimal. And Im not sure why your friends are saying the sump pump wont work. I honestly think thats your best bet at this point. Remember too a french drain may be an idea (yes its costly) but it may be just what you need to relieve the water pressure. It is connected to the sump hole.
Comments? Please leave them at the bottom of this post.
Question: A high water table is something I have learned to live with. Basement flooding is a part of it. People have told me a sump pump would not be an effective method of dealing with this. I know you might say a trough is the way to go but given the economy today thats an expense Im trying to avoid. Can you advise on the grade and best recommendation how far you need to go before graduating down?
Answer: Regrading around your home is not going to solve your problem - or at least the effect from that would be minimal. And Im not sure why your friends are saying the sump pump wont work. I honestly think thats your best bet at this point. Remember too a french drain may be an idea (yes its costly) but it may be just what you need to relieve the water pressure. It is connected to the sump hole.
Comments? Please leave them at the bottom of this post.
Precautions for Keeping Water Out with Caulking
Do you worry about what a heavy rain might do in terms of flooding your basement? Issues can come arise - often where the top of your foundation meets up with the sill. Here's a suggestion to help you sleep better at night. Take some caulking to the sill plate, and be sure its below the siding line. This should help create a stong seal keeping water out. The same procedure is then recommended on the inside.
Seeing Wet Spots on Basement Carpeting?
Question - I've detected a wet spot on the basement carpeting which runs along a paneled wall and this paneled wall has a plastic vapor barrier behind it. The wet spot runs along the wall for about 2 to 3 feet and extends about 4 inches away from the wall at its worst. The home was constructed in 1927 and the previous owners did have some basement water work done maybe 20 25 years ago. I have had a similar problem in the past, again as I have described above along the walls on a very limited basis and only when we have experienced massive amounts of rain within a short period of time. It has been several years since I have detected a moist carpet. I have inspected the area outside and there is a shrub Evergreen type about 3 feet away from the moist area in the basement. This shrub has been in place for probably 25 years. Just a guess since we have owned this home for 17 years. Some of the problem may have been caused freezing and thawing during the winter months.
The basement needs to be continually checked. You're probably going to want to remove some paneling and examine to see if there are any visible cracks on the walls. Its always important to make sure the ground is pitched away from all the walls so that water does not run into the basement in heavy rains or next spring - melting snow. Downspouts should be attached and gutters cleaned of debris. You may have a drain tile problem that will need to be checked.
The basement needs to be continually checked. You're probably going to want to remove some paneling and examine to see if there are any visible cracks on the walls. Its always important to make sure the ground is pitched away from all the walls so that water does not run into the basement in heavy rains or next spring - melting snow. Downspouts should be attached and gutters cleaned of debris. You may have a drain tile problem that will need to be checked.
Caulking, sealers and extending drains to stop water
A homeowner writes: After only a few years in a new home - basement flooding has become a frequent issue to deal with. I tried the usual remedies including caulking and sealers, and even turning and extending the drains. These efforts have helped a little - Im only getting flooding during very heavy rains but recently not its getting worse - to the point that our paneling is showing signs of peeling. Im worried about mold issues next. How to fix the problem?
Answer - Sounds like water is now in the wall. After any kind of flood - everything needs to be dried out and the quicker the better. If you're wondering whats causing the odor - its because materials have come in contact with water and the material is breaking down. Take a look outside and make sure the gutters (assuming you have them) are properly moving the water to the edge of the lot or at least down slope. A drain around the perimeter of the foundation may be required if you are experiencing subsurface seepage.
Answer - Sounds like water is now in the wall. After any kind of flood - everything needs to be dried out and the quicker the better. If you're wondering whats causing the odor - its because materials have come in contact with water and the material is breaking down. Take a look outside and make sure the gutters (assuming you have them) are properly moving the water to the edge of the lot or at least down slope. A drain around the perimeter of the foundation may be required if you are experiencing subsurface seepage.
Water damage problem in the basement
Several different things could indicate you have a problem where basement waterproofing is a good idea. Your nose may help you identify these issues. Are you able to smell musty air? Are you noticing any cracks in the basement walls? Do you see signs of mildew? Other things to look for are signs of windowsills with rot, general dampness and moisture on basement walls or floors. Does anyone in the family suffer from alergies which seem to get worse when you are inside the home or down in the basement? These could all be issues where it is prudent to bring in a basement waterproofing specialist.
Is it true waterproofing outside walls is not necessary?
The importance of this may depend on who you ask. But if you stop to think about this - you dont want to cut corners protecting outside walls of your home. There are pores in those walls - and things can get in if you dont protect them, such as bugs, air, dirt, water, outside pollution and more. You dont want to have to worry about your foundation in later years - so why take chances now. Outside protection is definately a good idea for your walls.
Does Waterproof Paint Stop Leakage of Water Through a Wall?
I'm afraid waterproof paint is not the solution to stop leekage. There is a big difference between water seepage and sealing a wall. The sealed wall is designed to stop moisture from passing through. Yes - waterproof paint could on a temporary basis stop the problem but it would be only temporary. Unless you physically change the routing of the water - you will still have that problem to deal with. Moisture is different from water seepage. If your roof leaks, waterproof paint could stop the problem for a short while, but it will not fix your roof unless you reroute the water. The water would still be in your walls and you can bet you'd still have issues to deal with. And it will only get worse over time.
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