Wet Basement

foister6

O.K. I need help-its hard to admit-but thats the fact. I have a new construction house with a wet basement. Its wet on the span of one wall about 65 ft. It has 2 offsets. I sealed the outside and sealed the heck out of the inside. It still is seeping through. I have had 5 different waterproofing companies give estimates-everything from sump pump to digging up the footers and sealing it again. Not sure what to do-Any suggestions??

K2

Do you have any kind of soils report??? Engineering?? Foundation drains??

I believe these types of problems are not to serious when the cause of the problem is known. It might take some patience and persistence.

I always look at it like you've built a house in a swimming pool and backfilled it with a bunch of miscellaneous materials. If the bottom of the pool is gravel or sand the waters seeps down away from your foundation. No problem. If the bottom of the pool is clay or hard pan, sandstone, etc. You need a drain to daylight to keep the bottom of the pool dry. Ground water comming up from below is another problem.

I've run into a problem similar to yours when the foundation hole, (pool) was dug slightly out of level with the low side being away from daylight. The drain people dug a positive fall based on the bottom of the foundation wall but is was not enough to compensate for the hole being slighty pitched.

Anyway I'd be looking for a soils report which in my area would be done before a permit was issued.

foister6

Thanks for the response. A soil test is not req'd in my area. I believe one of the probs is the backfill is red clay-most common in this area. maybe it just needs to dry out. Anyway will consider a soil test if all else fails. Again thanks

K2

Good surface drainage away from the foundation is an easy one to check and correct. No ponding/puddleing within 50 ft. or so.

denick

foi,
When did the water problem start?
What do you mean by wet? and seeping?
When does the water come in?
What is the foundation made of?
What did you seal the foundation with?
Did you coat down over the footing?
Were footing drains installed?
How were they constructed?
Are they working?
What about the other three walls?
What is the grade outside the foundation like?
Gutter downspouts?
Foundation plantings?

Do you have pictures of the inside or outside?

__________________
Nick

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving" Albert Einstein

K2

Hi Nick. I have a dry basement. Maybe foister6 is also named Rob??? You have great questions for anyone having h2o problems though. Rob..

denick

Sorry Rob, I shouldn't read and type without my glasses on.

__________________
Nick

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving" Albert Einstein