[O_Troubles]

It recently rained a lot in the city I live in more then usual in one day we get 56 mm of rain and it rained for for then 2 days, normally I get a bit of water in m basement not much and I have a sump pump which helps but because of all the rain it started to pool on the east side of my house where I have a walkway. The water on the walkway way pouring into my basement. It was seeping from in between the walkway and my house and FAST! In my basement the water was pouring down the wall. I have to do some landscaping and change the grade of my walkway as it was slopped towards the house but I was wondering if that's enough or if anybody could suggest anything else to do

[creahands]

If water is pouring in, need to water proof that wall below grade.

Have to excavate to footing. It would be a good idea to also put in a drain pipe to move water away from house. If need to know how come back and we can give u the details.

Chuck

[21boat]

Depending on the grade the water pouring in could be where the wood sill plate meets the cement block. Check that.

Exactly At what height in the basement is the water pouring in?

When this happens again put your ear flat against the block and listen for a drip sound. Ive done this on job sites and it worked many times. If you hear a drip then the entry of the water is high which indicates a block joint or brick sill is not filled in. The hollow block cores acts as an amphitheater and a drip can be heard.

Check to see if initial grade is too close to the last block cap if you even have one. Many older homes do not have a solid 4" block cap for the wood sill plate..

By Chance is this a brick veiner house? If so many times the masons don't bend down enough to strike/fill that bed joint on the first coures of brick and that can let water POUR into a block core and basement.

That said,
1. check all grades, gutters, downspouts. First.
2. Check for cap block and sill plate in relation to exterior grade.
3. Check for walks and make sure they are tilted away from the house.

Do all of that first and then consider exposing the block and outside foundation drainage.

[O_Troubles]

Oh man is there any like laymens terms for all that? All I know is that it is a 1928 house from what I can see it is a cement foundation for maybe 4 feet then there are chip boards which I believe are hiding a wooden structure because the cement stops I don't know what's holding the rest up the basement is very short maybe 6ft and the ducts and things hang down. I know the grade is slopped towards the house and its wrong but either way right where the grade stops and the foundation//house starts I could see the water pouring in... if you could just re explain things to me and what I should check for I would appreciate it


Oh and chuck is that even something I could do myself? I think I've seen it on TV, u dig down apply some tar looking stuff and vapour barrier so nothing gets in? Is that it?

[creahands]

Hi O

To make things easier to read, could u use sentence form. It would cut down on our reading time, to set our minds right. That said, let me see if I can explain Boat21, in layman terms.

1. The leaders( pipes coming from the gutters) should be directed away from house at ground level. Water should be kept off ground for about 3 feet.

If leader goes into ground then u probably have a drywell. Remove leader and run water into pipe coming from ground to see if it backs up. If it does needs fixing.

2. Does the wood structure of house start above the grade of ground(dirt)? Wood should not be in contact with dirt.

3. If u have a walkway, should be pitched away from house to take rain away from foundation(concrete).

This part is hardest but ideal. All dirt should be pitched away from house for about 5 feet.

This would stop most minor leaks.

If water is pouring in, as stated, then the integrity of water proofing is in doubt. This is corrected by digging down to foundation and applying waterproofing cement(tar substance) and vapor barrier. When back filling, be careful that rocks in soil stay away from wall.

While u have foundation open,it would be a good idea to put in a curtain drain and drywell to remove water from base of house. If going that way, let us know and can give layout for curtain drain.

Chuck

[speedball1]

Have you considered installing a french drain, (see image). Here's a link to instructions. How to dig and install a French drain
More questions? Just ask! Good luck, Tom