Thread: Any home-improvement experts here?

On a related note... I really like the look of your exterior rock wall. Pretty cool.

Originally Posted by Christopher

First thing I would recommend is either moving your rain gutter downspout or relocate it away from this corner. That is the first issue I noticed from the photos.

When the gas company dug around the outside corner of your home it is highly likely they did not re-compact very well, which creates a more easily traveled path for water to your basement. The holes are likely the settling that has occurred because the soil was not re-compacted well. I’ve had this exact problem at my previous home.

If you still have problems with water/mud in the basement after extending/relocating the downspout I would dig out around this corner of your house and do a few things to seal and protect this corner. First, you could do as Mike suggested and tar and seal the wall and foundation. Another great way to seal around your basement wall and foundation is to use a 60-mil plastic called Bituthene. From homes I’ve designed, I typically like to have this below-ground waterproofing membrane (Bituthene) installed such that it slopes away from the foundation below grade, basically creating a below grade umbrella. You can also use it to seal the foundation by heating it up and carefully “melting” it to the stem wall and foundation (this is how you attach it to the top of the stem wall when creating an “umbrella” as well).

For new homes, I’ve seen mechanical waterstops used, which seal the seam between the foundation and the stem well and completely prevent water from coming through that seam. Although, for a masonry block foundation stem wall you could still have water coming through pores and cracks in the blocks and from the seams between blocks.

By the way, French drains are notorious for not working well. In fact, when not done right they can actually create a path for water to get in. I have a French drain at our current home that is supposed to drain water that seeps into one of the basement window wells. The water still pools and stays in the window well for a week or more even with the drain. We have to use a sump pump to get most of the water out of the window well.

Most people don't know that French drains in this manner are temporary. When the ground settles they are un-functional.

@Djinn yes extend the drain pipe further into the lawn or move it is a great suggestion.

Originally Posted by Christopher

By the way, French drains are notorious for not working well.

Boontito recognizes a set up line when he sees one.