[tommys]

I get water in my basement after real bad storms. I have increased the pitch around the house the best I can but unfortuneatly do to poor building design I wasn't left with much room to work with. The water lays in front probably 6 feet in front of the house and pools over walkway and starts toward the house . I have french drains that are flowing . Is there anything I can do? Check french drains? Without major excavation? Is the water coming in from outside or is this water pushing through the seem between walls and slab? It does come from under the toilet and around radon mitigation system, also. Please someone help! :eek:

[harleyds]

I had the same problem at my parents house and also at my in-laws house. We put in the french drains like you said, but we also installed drain openings every 4 - 8 feet. The french drain is nice and works, but if the storm is really intense, the water will pool above the soil since it is already saturated. Having the drain openings gives the water a direct route away from your house.

Also make sure the pitch of your pipes is good enough to channel the water away otherwise the water will just sit in your pipes.

You could also install a sump pump in your basement to prevent flooding. I never installed one, but we have them in both houses and you can hear it working when it rains hard.

Good Luck!

[speedball1]

Harley gave you a dynamite answer. Especially the part about installing a sump pump in your basement. I recommend that you do just that. In the future you might get a faster answer to plumbing questions if you posted over on the plumbing page. Tom