Basement Flooding Solved pt. 2

Two weeks ago we featured a drainage installation that generated numerous questions from our readers that require answers. To help in the process we’ve added a few pictures with descriptions of exactly what they portray.

In a nutshell, during heavy rains water was flowing through the foundation and pooling under the house. Installation of a French drain, combined with additional waterproofing and foundation repair corrected the problem.

Please take a look at these pictures and, if you have any additional questions, please contact Miranda at 850-386-2114 for clarifications.

Thanks for your interest.

1. Before the project begins. Far left will be excavated 5.5′ deep

2. Shows project before beginning. Steps and sidewalk.

3. Shows project before beginning. Garage side.

4. Initial stages of excavation. Front sidewalk has been cut.

5. Exposed downspouts. Irrigation has been capped. Wire and cable exposed.

6. Initial site clean up. Downspouts routed away from the house.

7. Depth of proposed French drain.

8. Shows depth and block wall at extreme left side. This concrete wall will require a “core drill” which will allow water from the entire 110′ length to be piped away from the house. A “core drill” allows a hole to be made into concrete walls, foundations, etc.

9. After all excavation is complete and soil debris is removed the walls are pressure washed to expose any holes or cracks in the concrete, brick or cement.

10. Holes discovered in the concrete blocks that allowed basement flooding.

11. Brick was discovered, with holes, along 60′ of foundation that allowed water to enter the basement.

12. Notice the improperly sealed pipe.

13. In a heavy rain this water would flood the basement.

14. Holes have been sealed with concrete. Gravel stockpiled for use with French drains.

15. Cloth, gravel, sock pipe. The beginnings of the drain.

16. Notice the wall itself is now black. Voids have been painted with an asphalt waterproofing membrane.

17. The French drain has been covered. This picture shows where downspouts will be piped to keep water away from the foundation. Prior to this, downspouts deposited water directly on the ground at the base of the wall.

18. Same picture with downspouts buried and piped away from the foundation.

19. Completed project prior to re-landscaping.

The Problem:

The basement of the house experiences flooding during heavy rain events. The house is built above grade, with a basement ceiling height ranging from three feet to approximately six feet. Water intrusion typically begins near the three-foot ceiling area, flowing toward the six-foot section of the basement, where it stands. The water enters the basement through voids in the walls near sewage cleanouts, washing away the exposed soil beneath the house. Additionally, water enters through the rear raised beds, contributing to the basement flooding. The front flower beds have also experienced extensive erosion, but the client would like to keep the existing irrigation system intact.
 

The Plan to Resolve Basement Flooding:

• Carefully remove any landscaping in the way, leaving as much as possible intact
• Expose about 100 feet of the foundation, starting from the garage, around the driveway side, and across the entire front
• Remove portions of the front sidewalk to allow installation of a drainpipe
• Fill any voids in the brick and cement blocks with concrete for added strength
• Install a waterproof membrane along all exposed underground surfaces to prevent moisture intrusion
• Install a 6” French Drain along the full length of the exposed foundation, ensuring outflow goes through the retaining wall and into the natural area
• Core drill through the retaining wall to manage water entering the back of the building
• Pipe downspouts to direct water away from the foundation
• Install shields around the foundation vents for added protection against basement flooding

The Solution:

• Exposed the foundation and pressure-washed all exposed areas to inspect for cracks
• Discovered a row of bricks beneath the concrete blocks with three 1” holes, allowing water into the basement
• Sealed each brick with concrete to prevent water flow
• Found holes around plumbing entry points, some up to three inches, and filled them with concrete along with all cracks in the walls
• Sealed all exposed below-ground areas with waterproofing asphalt to prevent moisture intrusion
• Installed a 6” French Drain pipe, adding landscape fabric, gravel, and sand around it
• Connected the outflow pipe to the French Drain and extended it to the natural area for proper drainage
• Graded the site to prepare for landscaping and irrigation
• Patched up the sidewalk as needed