Replies

1. 
   boz | Jul 29, 2003 02:41pm | #1

   I just installed a foundation drain and used FHB #140 as a guide.  My site contractor and neighbor both suggested dry wells and I balked, mine will go to daylight but that is an easy solution for me.

   I balked for the following reason.  My seasonal high water table is within 20 inches of the surface (as determined by soil mottling).  So that will be the height of the water in a dry well during the time of the year when I would want water to drain to the the dry well. When we change the porosity of soils (with dry wells and foundation back fill we need to be careful that we don't create areas that collect water rather than drain water.  Dry wells won't help much in poorly drained soils.  They provide storage which may help but unless they are down gradiant of the water table I can't see them funtioning the way many people claim.  Water in soil is a crazy beast.

   Boz

2. 
   BossHog | Jul 29, 2003 02:45pm | #2

   I've used stuff like this on a foundation, and really like it:

   http://www.deltams.com/deltams/index.html

   Someone here at Breaktime used it and told me about it. After I used it, another person here used it and reported back with good results.

   I actually bought my stuff from Brent Anderson at Intercontinental Const. and Equipment in Fridley, Minnesota. (763) 784-8406 Great guy to deal with. Couldn't have been happier with his efforts and service.

   A dry well may or may not be a good idea, depending on your local soil conditions. Mine has a sump pit and pump, which pumps into the sewer system.

   There should be a lot of threads on this in the archives, if you want to take the time to search.

   I once worked as a horse trainer. It was a stable job.

1. 
   foobytor | Jul 29, 2003 04:05pm | #3

   thanks for your input

1. 
   kaorisdad | Jul 29, 2003 06:20pm | #4

   My house had a similar problem, basically being built in a pit.  Had water flooding my crawlspace and causing all sorts of moisture problems in the house like stuck doors after it rains.  I fixed mine by a network of drainage systems all connecting to a large sump with a pump that pumps it all to the street.  I had the following:

   French drain using 1-foot square (in cross-section) aggregate with a 6-inch perforated PVC pipe all wrapped with a fabric filter to keep the fines from clogging the drain.  I think Mirafi makes the fabric.

   Surface drains connected by solid 6-inch PVC pipes

   4-foot by 4-foot by about 4-feet deep reinf concrete sump with an electric pump and backup pump.

   Don't know about a coating for that wall though.

   Good luck.