Replies

1. 
   Danno | Oct 16, 2005 11:34pm | #1

   Only thing I can think of is the sytem where they cut the slab (inside) around the base of the walls an install a plastic drain in a small trench and cover it with a plastic cover that makes the whole thing look sort of like a baseboard hot water heating system. Maybe someone else has a better idea.

1. 
   stagecoach | Oct 16, 2005 11:40pm | #2

   I forgot to mention that the basement is already developed and Frost walls are installed around the inside perimeter.  (save for all the drywall being removed at the bottom two feet) This sounds like a good option for a home without any Frost walls. I  dont think it would be very economical to cut the bottom of the frost walls to allow for cutting the slab.  

   What do you think?

   Stage Coach

1. 
   Piffin | Oct 17, 2005 12:18am | #3

   I'd find a place to cut a 2'x2'x2' hole in the slab to insert a sump pit and pump 

    

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1. 
   stagecoach | Oct 17, 2005 12:23am | #4

   Hi Piffin,

   We have already installed three sump pits and pumps to no avail.

   Thanks,

   Stage Coach Homes

2. 
   Danno | Oct 17, 2005 01:25am | #5

   I don't know what a Frost wall is. Maybe the (I think it's called Sta-dry?) system I described could go inside the Frost walls.

   If you could locate the source of the spring (maybe boring holes evry so often to get an idea of direction of the flow?) you may be able to redirect it. I guess I don't have any good answers. If you were in Michigan you could sell the water to Nestle' and they'd bottle it and make a fortune off the "artesian spring water".

2. 
   EricPaulson | Oct 17, 2005 01:38am | #6

   We suspect that there is no weeping tile around the perimeter and fear we may have to excavate and install weeping tile and run this to a dry well away from the foundation

   Who built the house or was responsible for the foundation drainage? From the "fear" part of your post it sounds like your company did, yet you state that you don't know if there is a drainage system in place.

   Sounds to me like the house is over or near an aquifer that is very close to the lowest point of excavation. You might also talk a good long walk to point in elevation above the basement in the surrounding area to see if there are spring or sources of runoff that can be diverted away from the structure.

   You need to verify the existence of a working foundation drainage system in any event.

   Good Luck,

   Eric

    

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1. 
   stagecoach | Oct 17, 2005 01:57am | #7

   We did not build this home therefore have no idea what the foundation drainage system may be, if any.

   Would it be wiser to dig a perimeter away from the foundation and install weeping tile and gravel, thus avoiding the decks, and try to divert the ground water from approaching the house. Or is the water more likely to be coming from further under the slab. Is there any way of tracking the source of the water before we try to determine what type of drainage system to use.

   Just looking for ideas and past experiences,

   Stage Coach Homes

1. 
   EricPaulson | Oct 17, 2005 02:07pm | #8

   Is there any way of tracking the source of the water before we try to determine what type of drainage system to use.

   Hydrologist or some local excavator perhaps that is very familiar with the local geology.It's Never Too Late To Become

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2. 
   Danno | Oct 17, 2005 02:08pm | #9

   I suppose you could hire a hydrologist (is that the right term, or is it hydrogeologist?)who may be able to tell you where the source of the water is. However, I would imagine that could get expensive--I know they do such things as trace underground "plumes" of pollution from industrial sites and such. Some people here swear a dowser can find water, but they may not be able to find the actual source, and you already know you have water under the slab.

   If you call or look on line, the US Geological Survey has maps that show things like springs, but such maps (USGS Quads) may not be detailed enough to pinpoint the spring, or it may be something new that hasn't been surveyed yet. It'd be worth a try to look on the internet and see if there are maps of aquifers. I know satellite images get very detailed, but doubt that this would help in locating a spring. Also, some counties keep well logs and you could see wells nearby (assuming there are any) and look at their production in gallons per minute to get an idea of those closest to a source of water. On the other hand, if it's water just below the surface, that may not help.

   Seems to me, that if the water is not actually originating from under the slab, your idea or drains or weep tiles further out from the foundation where there are decks should work. Direct any rainwater from roofs to those drains too.

3. 
   Geode | Oct 17, 2005 07:59pm | #10

   Hydrogeologist is for groundwater, hydrologist is for surface water ; )If you're close to a local univeristy with a geology department, you might be able to find a professor who has some knowledge about the local groundwater systems. An added bonus would be one who was willing to have some students investigate the problem. How old is this house? It's possible excavating the basement could have altered the flow by creating a lower pressure area. Groundwater flows from high pressure areas to low pressure areas, which don't necessarily follow the surface topography. If it is coming up from under the slab, you might be able to put in enough drains under the slab to divert the water outside of the basement, but I doubt you'll be able to make it entirely dry. I certainly wouldn't finish it, or store valuables in anything that wasn't waterproof.Jo