Get a sump pump? (foundation, Lowes, drainage pipe, leak)
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Any advice is appreciated.
I have an unfinished basement that I would like to finish one day. The problem is we have a really small issue with water coming in against one wall only during heavy rainstorms. When I say small, I mean small...meaning its the same as if someone poured out a pitcher or 2 of water. It trickles down the cinderblock wall and collects at the lowest point since it's an uneven floor. We had a waterproofing company come in and they recommend an interior french drain with a sump pump. this company is very reputable and I don't doubt that they would do a good job but am I potentially making the matter worse? I would potentially be bringing water inside the house to pump out. If the sump pump dies or we lose power, the basement will flood. Of course there's battery backups and generators but if we're away that week when a major storm hits that knocks out the power, no one is here to go to the backup system.
You have to test and maintain the battery powered pump or when the power goes off you don't know if it will run. Even stranger, true story, the main pump can fail and you are relying on the battery backup pump. When it fails, you're soaked.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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The proper repair is to dig out the area outside where it's coming in, waterproof the lower wall and foundation with a spray/ or roll on membrane, then place a gravel and drainage pipe to run the water out to the street or an outside french drain away from the house. The sump pump does nothing to keep the water from deteriorating your wall/foundation over time.
...but am I potentially making the matter worse? I would potentially be bringing water inside the house to pump out...
This is the major flaw with interior drain systems!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140
The proper repair is to dig out the area outside where it's coming in...
^^^This is THE correct way to FIX the problem. Expensive, yes. But, any way you look at it- it's still ultimately the correct way.
You can do a search of the House Forum- it's been cussed & discussed a bunch.
Kbuilder and the others are correct. Fix from the OUTSIDE first, only then resort to interior fixes.
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