Any basement water problem experts here?

[larryinlc]

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

OK Larry.... This is not a problem that can be fixed from the inside.

Thanks. This is what I suspected all along would need doing. What I failed to mention earlier....all the homes on my block have now or in the past, suffered from the same issue as me. Apparently there might be a water table or drainage problem in my area. The village in which I live, dug sort of a fenced off drainage pit near our houses to collect runoff? Doesn't seem to help me. I kept hoping that this might be a simple inexpensive fix, but in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't going to be. I cringe at what this might cost around a 1700 sq ft house.

Larry

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by larryinlc

Thanks. This is what I suspected all along would need doing. What I failed to mention earlier....all the homes on my block have now or in the past, suffered from the same issue as me. Apparently there might be a water table or drainage problem in my area. The village in which I live, dug sort of a fenced off drainage pit near our houses to collect runoff? Doesn't seem to help me. I kept hoping that this might be a simple inexpensive fix, but in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't going to be. I cringe at what this might cost around a 1700 sq ft house.

Larry

I would say "rent a small backhoe and do it yourself"....... But I know a couple of people that did that, and ended up knocking a wall in with the machine digging or backfilling afterwards! It can be a DIY project, but it's labor intensive, and if the basement is deep underground, there is always a possibility of the trench falling in on you while you are in it.

Is the basement 100% below ground? No garage area or access to the outside from the basement?

If ALL the homes have had similar issues, I'd say you are looking at sub-surface issues that will require exterior wall waterproofing. If, however, the basement is 100% below ground (no side with ground level at or near the slab area), then you are looking at trying to seal an area from water with no other place to go. Ans, given the fact that you have to have a seam between the walls and the slab floor, you just might not be able to seal it, because you have to have somewhere for the french drain to dump the water!