[klshain]

Hi-I hope someone can help me with this one... we just moved into our house in August and the builder has a basement rough-in for a lavatory. There is a large (18" x 18") square hole with gravel in it-I think called a tub dapout. About a week ago this hole was filled, and somewhat overflowing, with water. Now, we do have snow on the ground and it is melting. But today, it overflowed enough to somewhat flood that corner of the basement. When we first noticed it we called our builder and he said there was nothing to do about it-but I am not buying that now that all this water is in our basement. Could someone please let me know if this is "normal" or if there is something to be done on the part of the builder to fix this. Thanks!

[massplumber2008]

I recommend that you dig the hole out and expose the tub drain pipe that is probably there. May be that the cap on the drain pipe has loosened or was in fact, never placed on the pipe... Hard to say. I am not happy that the builder has just shrugged his shoulders... should have called the plumber back out to investigate this.

But first thing to do is dig out the gravel... pipe probably not too deep. Then just cap or recap the pipe with probably an 1.5" rubber jim cap with SS clamp (sold at any home supply store). Then let the builder know you are not impressed at all!!

Let me know if this helped by clicking on RATE THIS ANSWER button below. Thank you.

[hkstroud]

You did not say but I would assume that there is a pipe sticking up through that hole (there should be). That would be the drain pipe for a future tub. If that is the case, the water in the hole would be underground water coming in under your foundation. That indicates improper footer drainage. If the footer drains to daylight, that is the terrain permits a drainage pipe to some place on the property lower than the basement level, there could be a blockage. If the terrain does not permit draining to daylight there should be a sump pump somewhere that pumps the water in the footer drain, back up to the ground surface to run off the property or to the storm sewer. Unless there is a sump pump somewhere that is failing it is a builder problem and it is significient.

[massplumber2008]

NOT disagreeing about anything to do with underground water hkstroud.. but I have roughed in... well... over 600 tubs... *L*.. maybe 700 underground... and well have never stubbed the pipe above ground... ALWAYS A HORIZONTAL CONNECTION left for the p trap to tie into the vertical tub waste and overflow... JUST SO KLSHAIN IS CLEAR ON THAT!

BUT, certainly do not disregard what hkstroud has said... in fact, his suggestion is certainly as likely as mine.

Let us know!! Thanks all!

[cgregory67]

100% Builders Responsibility!