Our house sits above a relatively shallow water table. We didn't know this when we bought!

We have 2 sump pumps (40g/min & 50g/min) in our sump well, and an interior drain system around the inside of the foundation to pipe the water to the sump. We don't get wall moisture, but after violent storms (like the one that just hit the northeast with 8" of rain), we'll not only see the water rise in the sump, but it's coming in as fast, and occasionally faster, than the 2 pumps can handle it. Also, there are 3 spots in the basement floor where water also seeps up during those events.

We've been told that to recement the floor could lead to bowing of walls from pressure, or even having the water beneath the house either push up the cement or rise up from the ground around the house (we don't want that, we have septic).

Is there any way to eliminate this flooding? Perhaps to extend one of the drain pipes outside and away from the house? Would adding another sump well and pump make a difference?

Our basement is a finished one, and we're getting tired of doing cleanup every year!

Thanks!

Greg F.
Rockland County, NY

About the only thing you can do is add more sump pumps and/or increase the size of the outside french drain. You're fighting Miother Nature and she always wins. Good luck, Tom