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basement drainage and sump

| Posted in Construction Techniques on February 13, 2007 11:00am

Before spring arrives here in Nebraska, I am going to attempt to solve a wet basement problem. The basement walls are block and are finished on the inside with 2×4’s, insulated, and covered with a 1/4 in patterned hardboard. In the past the water appears to be coming either from the floor/wall joint or the wall itself, I am going to remove the hardboard and insulation to see. I intend to cut the floor out about 14 in from the wall along the edge of the basement that gets wet, trench down about 12 inches, place crushed rock, drain tile, more rock, and new concrete on top. The tile will drain to a sump that I will place in tub in the corner.
When I had this done to a different house the contractor placed a stiff sheet of plastic with channels in it up against the concrete(in that case) wall where leakage was evident. This sat in the trench so further leakage would find its way to the tile. I would like to knowwhere I can get that material, or if anyone out there has other suggested approaches.
Because this house was placed very low, I am unable to slope the soil away from the house more than I have. or get any better drainage out there. That side of the house has all the buried lines, elec, phone and propane. Thanks, Ne02Chief

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Replies

  1. Dogmeat12 | Feb 14, 2007 03:01am | #1

    I've done a few few basements the way you described. I usually placed a 1" board next to the block resting on the footer, then backfilled  and placed my concrete. I would pull the 1 x material out while the concrete was still green. Having said that, if I do another one I'm going to put in the plastic channel. Let me know if you find a source for it.

    1. kshow | Feb 14, 2007 03:34am | #2

      I have seen that gap around basement slab perimeters before, only to air seal it. Here in WI we have a good potential for Radon, and thus seal out soil gases from our occupants conditioned space. If you're adamant about having some type of bulk water control on the inside of your basement walls, try sealing Platon to the wall and have it run below the slab height. But first, find out where the bulk water is infiltrating...you may be ahead of yourself and concerned with a solution not required.

      1. Ne02Chief | Feb 15, 2007 04:36am | #4

        Good idea. Thanks.
        Ne02Chief

    2. Ne02Chief | Feb 15, 2007 04:36am | #3

      Will do. Thanks.
      Ne02Chief

  2. lcdeyes | Feb 15, 2007 08:24am | #5

    Check:

    americanwick.com
    deltadrain.com

    If those are not what you recall, then describe in more detail. You will have to contact mfr to find local sales, but products like these are sold through distributors of products for public works and/or commercial landscaping, including golf course construction.

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