Is there any way of eliminating the mositure problem without pouring a new basement floor and putting plastic down before the pour.? Is there some method to correct the problem? Is there vapor barrier paint the would adhere to the existing floor that would work? If a french drain was put around the perimeter of the house would this clear the problem. Larry
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We put in a french drain 15 years ago to keep our basement dry. It has solved the problem. Our situation: two feet of top soil with clay underneath. The highest point of your drain has to start 12 inches below the level of the area you are hoping to keep dry. You need to be able to the direct the water you will divert. Our neighbor allowed us to tap into their drainage system and everything goes out to the street and into the storm drains. Remember, drainage pipe is set with the holes down! Good luck.
Jerry (Northern Ca.)
Larry, I have learned from the school of really hard knocks that the french drain and waterproofing membrane is the only way to really fix the problem. Please send more info, i'll try to help.
Edited 5/24/2002 9:02:07 PM ET by LEIGH
Start with the basics.
Is it moisture coming thru or condensation. Tape a piece of plastic or alum foil to the floor at a damp spot. Moisture on top means condensation; moisture underneath means penetration.
Make sure you're moving water falling on the roof and next to the house away from the house: e.g., positive grading and 10' downspout extensions. (On a 30x40 house, 840 gal comes off the roof per 1" of rain: that's 210 gals at each corner downspout, which is about 7 trashcans worth!