DIYFreak
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We have a basement water seepage problem which seems to occur predominately during the spring thaw timeframe. Prior to finishing the basement 3 years ago, I did work with gutters, grading, etc, which I thought had solved the problem, but as we have seen recently, shows no avail. We recently had record amounts of rain, on top of a heavy snow filled winter, which caused water to seep into cracks in the floor and at the base of the walls (note: the foundation is made of concrete block). This is the most water I have seen come in since I bought the house in 2001.
I feel, that at this point, the only really effective remedy will be to install a drain system along the footing, with a sump and sump pump to discharge the water. Due to several limiting factors, I have found it difficult to decide on a good approach.
What I am considering now is installing a combination (partial inside/partial outside) perimeter drain system with an outside sump crock located in a large window well (sump below the frost line and sealed/insulated from outside air). The drain tile would be routed along the side of the footing on the inside, following most of the perimeter, except for the area of the bathroom. An exterior drain tile would be routed along the bathroom area to avoid costly demolition/excavation of the bathroom and plumbing under the slab. Only one outlet from the interior will exit under the footing and out into the sump crock. The outside drain tile will stay outside and drain directly into the sump crock at a different inlet hole. The sump pump discharge pipe will have a check valve, as well as measures incorporated to prevent a clog, caused by freezing during the winter.
The drain pipe used will be pvc with holes at 4 and 6 o'clock, laid on a 2" bed of 3/4" clean gravel, and then backfilled with the same type of gravel. The gravel will be encapsulated in a filter fabric. Cleanouts would be located at points along the pipe path to facilitate flushing out of silt on a periodic basis, in order to prevent clogging.
By taking this approach, I am:
A. Minimizing the excavation of permanent exterior structures such as a very large concrete porch, part of a parking lot, half of my driveway, etc.
B. Preventing property line issues with respect to the excavation.
C. Preventing costly demolition of an existing bathroom.
D. Keeping the basement interior envelope closed off to outside moisture (hence, the sump crock outside), thereby, preventing mold growth caused by the sump, radon infiltration, and a flood in the basement caused by a pump failure, or power outage.
E. Preventing a clog formation after 10-15 years of silt buildup.
F. Saving cost by doing the work myself (unfortunately I don't have 5-10 grand to throw around for a commericially installed system)
By taking this approach I am hoping to have the most effective perimeter drain system, with the least potential for problems.
I am not sure I have any other effective options for dealing with this problem, at this point. I have researched, studied, and racked my brain for more than a month now.
Can anyone, with experience, give me opinions/advice concerning this approach? Am I overlooking anything? Am I heading in the right direction? OR, am I barking up the wrong tree?
I feel, that at this point, the only really effective remedy will be to install a drain system along the footing, with a sump and sump pump to discharge the water. Due to several limiting factors, I have found it difficult to decide on a good approach.
What I am considering now is installing a combination (partial inside/partial outside) perimeter drain system with an outside sump crock located in a large window well (sump below the frost line and sealed/insulated from outside air). The drain tile would be routed along the side of the footing on the inside, following most of the perimeter, except for the area of the bathroom. An exterior drain tile would be routed along the bathroom area to avoid costly demolition/excavation of the bathroom and plumbing under the slab. Only one outlet from the interior will exit under the footing and out into the sump crock. The outside drain tile will stay outside and drain directly into the sump crock at a different inlet hole. The sump pump discharge pipe will have a check valve, as well as measures incorporated to prevent a clog, caused by freezing during the winter.
The drain pipe used will be pvc with holes at 4 and 6 o'clock, laid on a 2" bed of 3/4" clean gravel, and then backfilled with the same type of gravel. The gravel will be encapsulated in a filter fabric. Cleanouts would be located at points along the pipe path to facilitate flushing out of silt on a periodic basis, in order to prevent clogging.
By taking this approach, I am:
A. Minimizing the excavation of permanent exterior structures such as a very large concrete porch, part of a parking lot, half of my driveway, etc.
B. Preventing property line issues with respect to the excavation.
C. Preventing costly demolition of an existing bathroom.
D. Keeping the basement interior envelope closed off to outside moisture (hence, the sump crock outside), thereby, preventing mold growth caused by the sump, radon infiltration, and a flood in the basement caused by a pump failure, or power outage.
E. Preventing a clog formation after 10-15 years of silt buildup.
F. Saving cost by doing the work myself (unfortunately I don't have 5-10 grand to throw around for a commericially installed system)
By taking this approach I am hoping to have the most effective perimeter drain system, with the least potential for problems.
I am not sure I have any other effective options for dealing with this problem, at this point. I have researched, studied, and racked my brain for more than a month now.
Can anyone, with experience, give me opinions/advice concerning this approach? Am I overlooking anything? Am I heading in the right direction? OR, am I barking up the wrong tree?