Replies

1. 
   rjw | May 30, 2002 02:20pm | #1

   Do you know it's a high water table, or is that the only explanation that comes to mind?

   Do you have good down spout extensions (10')? Do you have positive grading away from the house?  Where is the sump discharging to?

   It is often thsoe simple things.

1. 
   dwmooney | May 31, 2002 05:35am | #5

   The house is currently being roofed. I demolished the previous house but kept the foundation. The water is clearly not from grading problems or downspouts. We have not had any real rain for several days and the pump still kicks on. Recent discussions with the local plumbers point to a high water table.

   Thanks David

1. 
   JerraldHayes | May 31, 2002 05:58am | #8

   David I'm over in Westchester County NY and on two occasions I've recommended

   to client to try Neutocrete

   ( the Milford CT based) for their problems and they were both very happy with

   the solution. You might want to check them out too if what they do fits your projects

   conditions. These two clients I mentioned were both dirt crawl spaces on mortarless

   stone wall foundations. One was really damp the pother literally had a stream

   running through it. A gravel filled trench was cut and dug to accomodate the stream

   and then they had the Neutocrete through the whole crawl space and the change

   was dramatic.

   "Do not go where the path may lead, go

   instead where there is no path and

   leave a trail."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. 
   dwmooney | May 31, 2002 12:42pm | #9

   Thanks for the information I'll give them  a call and let you what happens.

2. 
   BossHog | May 30, 2002 02:45pm | #2

   Bob is right - Start with the simple things. Get water away from your foundation first.

   I'm curious what you mean by saying that your sump pump is "recycleing the water". Where does it discharge to? That water also needs to get away from the house. It's probaby illegal to pump it into your sewer system, but.........

   After the simple stuff, you start looking at more expensive stuff, like digging up around the foundation. Lotsa fun - I recommend doing it on days that are at least 95 degrees with no wind. Makes it more fun if you don't get chilled while you're doing it..............(-:

   Save California. when you leave, take someone with you.

1. 
   dwmooney | May 31, 2002 05:39am | #6

   Currently the sump discharges into the driveway which flows to the street. There are no storm drains in the road so the previous owner and neighbors tie into the sanitary which is illegal and will not pass the CO. We contemplated two dry wells front and back for the sump discharge but I think the water will recycle back into the water table and eventually the basement.

   Thanks

3. 
   tjcarcht | May 30, 2002 04:19pm | #3

   David - All the 'normal' discussions regarding wet basement treatment end when you realize that the house is virtually on top of a spring.  The evidence for this is a pump that is running continuously at least several days after the last rain.  (PS - seasonal high ground water east coast is usually April).  Been there, done that. 

   You need to determine whether or not you can get new foundation drains to daylight, and whether or not you can stand the cost.  This would be the first question to answer.  You may need post-installed underdrains under the basement slab, or at least post-installed perimeter interior drainage, again taken to daylight.  Does the sump show subslab piping entering the sides of the sump?  That would be good news.

   Regardless, you also need:

   (1)  A high-capacity sump pump and possibly a larger sump.  I highly recommend Little Giant - click here in at least the 3000 GPH range, although you can calculate the demand from your current pump.  Make sure as noted that the discharge is away from the house.

   (2)  A high-capacity backup pump.  I highly recommend The Basement Watchdog system - click here

   (3)  Realistic expectations of what might be stored (at some risk anyway) in the basement.

   T. Jeffery Clarke

   Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

1. 
   rjw | May 30, 2002 10:39pm | #4

   "The evidence for this is a pump that is running continuously at least several days after the last rain"

   Or, maybe some one put the discharge where the water simply cycles bcak into the sump crock.  Not common, but I see that from time to time.

2. 
   dwmooney | May 31, 2002 05:44am | #7

   I have contemplated pouring a new slab on top of 12" of gravel and an internal drain system over the existing basement slab. My new additions to the house which are not as low as the existing basement are dry. Unfortunately the footing drains are coming in at the low slab elevation so I will probably be pumping when every the water is high.