Townhouse ~100yo in the city with house plumbing/sewer line 50-100yo. Previous owner remodeled house 30 years ago but do not think that the plumbing has been updated.

DESCRIPTION: ~1in water puddling 3ft by 3 ft in different corners(diagonal to each other) of basement(on each side of townhouse). Other days there is moisture(napkin size puddle or droplets) coming up between the vinyl tiles. Barely rained in the area for ~1month(total maybe 1"). Water in basement problem noticed especially when doing lots of laundry loads and/or recent installation and usage of dishwasher....when lots of water being used in the home. The puddles at times have a detergent smell and bluish(detergent?) in color if look carefully.

FINDINGS: We think that there is a leakage in our sewer pipe in the basement floor in the section right before it leads to the basement sewer hole. The suspected leaking pipe area feels like spongy concrete and the vinyl tile above it is raised and buckling more than any other basement floor areas. Plumbers could not find any plumbing leaks anywhere, not even at sewer hole in townhouse basement near front wall. Plumber did peppermint test with 2 vials and 1 gallon hot water poured down 2" roof vent. Did not smell any peppermint in basement, basement floor or anywhere else. City water & sewer line is clear as stated by the city. Another plumber opened the basement sewer hole and water was running through fine. No other previous basement rough-in in basement.

Scoping of sewer line from back of basement to front of basement(basement sewer hole) showed moderate corrosion but could not see leaks because of corrosion.

POSSIBLE CAUSE SUGGESTED BY PLUMBERS:
1-ground water-Can not be ground water because barely any rain. If groundwater, then Waterproofing company suggested putting in basement drains leading to sump pump.

2-many small leaks in house sewer pipe-Solution would be to excavate and replacement basement pipe line from utility room to basement sewer hole near front of house. However, almost all the plumbers does not think we have a leak even with the corrosion found in sewer line. Still is a possibility that this is the problem is it not?

3-neigbhors' sewer water coming into our townhouse basement floor. However,neighbors on each side has no water problem in their basement. Still possible for this to cause the water in our basement?

We have checked everything it seems and run out of ideas. Should we take samples of the basement water and test for chlorine and/or fluoride? Our last resort is to try to excavate and replace the sewer line in our basement. If that does not work, then install sump pump system with or without back up battery to drain any moisture no matter the cause. Anyone has idea of possible cause for water in basement and/or solutions? Or should we just install sump pump and not try to replace sewer pipe although the sump pump is twice as expensive? Please help.

I had the same problem as you. My sewer main opened up and flooded my living room carpet.

Quote:

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-many small leaks in house sewer pipe-Solution would be to excavate and replacement basement pipe line from utility room

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Let me explain a bit about my drainage problem. 54 year old house. The builder used sub standard cast iron in the drainage. The 4" house main was completely ate up on the bottom of the pipe , blocked with roots and welling up in my living room floor. I was sure that the main had broke in two and I would have to jack hammer up the floor and tunnel under the foundation to transition to PVC, pick up the back bath and move the main outside the house but I had to know what was going on under the slab so a friend suggested running a camera down there. There was no distinct break in the main, however,it was completely ate up. That's when Rooter Man of Sarasota and Gulf Coast Florida suggested relining the main, (see image). It took a day to clear the roots and pressure jet clean the main. Next day they came back and relined the main with epoxy. I now have a sewer main that will out last me and the best poart is that I didn't have to, tear up my house and the cost was under half of what I figured to take the main outside around the house. Another bonus was that it was done without tearing up or disturbing my house.
I was amazed at the equipment RooterMan had outside my place. Hi tech stuff that took a technician to run it. Lottsa difference from the old days when I went out on a sewer call with a Ridged K-60 Sewer Machine and a ladder to get to the roof vent. I just wanted to point out that there's another option besides replacing drainage that the years have ruined. If your pipes are a candidate for a reline job I strongly suggest you look into it before you decide to reeplace the drainage pipes. I did and saved a bundle in addition to keeping my home intact. Just thought I would share that with you before you went through the hassle of tearing up your basement floor. Good luck, Tom