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dlbrown
Nov 14, 2006, 07:59 AM
Drainage problem

I own an older house built in the 1940's with a full unfinished basement,and have had water drainage problems from day one.
My house is built on a level lot, It has undeveloped (watershed) property sloping down to the rear of our property onto our level lot.
We live on a hill,but the brow of the hill starts to slope about 100yards down the road.I would describe the soil as clay and stony soil not good drainage quality at all.
We have gone the route of waterproofing companies,their remedy was 3 sump pumps in different areas of the basement and silica injections in various locations of the exterior walls. They maintained the pumps and replaced them as they burned out a couple of times.Then the waterproofing co.went bankrupt and left me with my problem and a very large bill ,so needless to say I don't trust them much.
Currently I am using two 3/4 HP submersible pumps to pump up to ground level (about 6 ft head) and into the street.This method could work but the pump life on these very expensive pumps is short,and the township has codes against pumping into the street
And they are threatening me with large penalities if I continue to pump.
I've gone to the township and tried to explain the problem,but their only solution is to build a dry well.I pump about 2000 gallons per hour and can fill a 20,000 gallon swimming pool in about 9 1/2 hours,so is this even an option?My township does't have sewers or even supply a street drain.If they did put in a street drain and run a pipe about a 100 yards down the road ,I think that might solve my problems and my neighbors too.If the township refuses to help,I think my only option is to fill in my basement and build a new addition for my furnace, hot water heater,and water pump.Probably about a $50,000 expense that I can't afford.
Can you or anyone suggest any ideas to help solve my problems? I'am about drained.
Any input is much welcomed, thanks.

speedball1
Nov 14, 2006, 01:05 PM
Wow! You do have a drainage problem. I'm surprised that no one has suggested a french drain, (see image) around your basement with 3 or 4 inch PVC leaders going to lower ground to carry away the excess seepage. To learn more about french drains and seepage control click on: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-43,GGLJ:en&q=french+drains+installation

Good luck, Tom

dlbrown
Nov 14, 2006, 03:49 PM
Thanks Tom
And your solution may work if I had sloping property or a place to divert the water to,also this idea sounds like it would solve surface water seepage, but my water problem seems to be stemming from a rising water table as the water rises from beneath the slab about 24 hrs. after a rain then I pump for days.It seems like my house sits on a rising underground lake and there is lots of static pressure upward against the floor.

speedball1
Nov 14, 2006, 04:04 PM
Ahhh! You built on top of a artesian well. My advice. Tap into it, bottle it and put it out it out in the market as "Natural Spring Crystal Clear Water" Good for aches, pains and E.D. Oughta make you rich! Good luck. Tom