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jp1216
Nov 6, 2005, 10:23 AM
See photo...

House is 6 years old. Starting a few months ago, when we get a heavy rain, a water line will form on the basement wall (poured basement). It doesn't appear to be 'flowing' - just wet to the touch. Nothing on the floor. No cracks - just a water line. An hour after the rain stops, the water line disappears. The location is on the back basement wall - under my deck.
I took a few deck boards out but didn't see any pooling of water. Below the deck is gravel with garden/weed fabric underneath.
Any ideas??

labman
Nov 6, 2005, 01:56 PM
The gravel could be hiding ground sloped towards the house. It may have settled over 6 years. Check your downspouts and gutters too. If they have drains, make sure they are in good shape. If you can't find anything else, you may have to remove the gravel, recountour the dirt under it to slope away from the house, and replace the gravel. Gravel doesn't fix drainage problems. To water, gravel is like a hole. It runs to the bottom, and then along the bottom wherever it takes it.

Don't know how much room you have under the deck. Could be a big pain working under there. Before you start, you might run the hose under there and see if water in the gravel is working its way into the basement.

jp1216
Nov 15, 2005, 10:28 AM
Well, I ripped up a few deck boards. Sure enough, right were the 'leak' is, there is some exposed dirt surrounded by all the gravel under the deck. My opinion is that a rodent of some sort dug a hole - maybe a mole. But the water does seem to pool up a little there. What should be done?
Thinking I should put back a little gravel and pour some dirt, pack it down - slopping away from the wall, and replace gravel on top...