Water in my basement (big surprise).
During this weeks earlier rain showers I noticed some wet spots forming on the basement floor (packed dirt/broken concret) at the lowest point on the basement which is basically just aft of the mid line of the house. During today’s deluge, some standing water has accumulated. I believe the water is seeping up from the…
During this weeks earlier rain showers I noticed some wet spots forming on the basement floor (packed dirt/broken concret) at the lowest point on the basement which is basically just aft of the mid line of the house. During today’s deluge, some standing water has accumulated. I believe the water is seeping up from the ground, but would love some input on the matter. It’s not a
lot of water but is the first time this has happened and am obviously alarmed. Could this be a storm drain issue? Ground water problem? Neighbor drainage issue? Any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated as well as remedies.
We live in a connected brownstone in Bed Stuy.
thanks in advance
Oh yeah, and DON’T use thoroseal – it will trap the moisture in the wall and can damage your foundation walls. The masonry needs to breathe.
Remember that the house stood there for 100+ years as-is. I’m sure there have been heavy rains in the past. To an extent, some occasional water in the basement is part of its’ basement-ness.
It’s a cause for some concern, but not for alarm.
Just be sure to store things off the ground. Storage shelves or at least wooden palettes are a good idea.
I also own an attached brownstone too.
Same problem here. Also same problem in my neighbor’s house. Same problem all over Brooklyn right now.
I’m assuming you don’t have a drain… if you did, it would mean you have a sump pump or an ejector pump, since most of the brownstones in Bed Stuy have the waste pipe above the floor of the basement.
If it’s what we’ve got here, it’s groundwater from the torrential rains rising up through the floor. Our backyard was a lake a little while ago and the back wall of the house was like the story of the dutch boy stopping up the leak in the dike.
Here are some suggestions – some short term, some long term:
1) Make sure your gutters and storm drain are clear of debris (as mentioned above)
2) Make sure the concrete pad at the back of your house is graded propery (ie: so water runs AWAY from the base of your house). I plan on getting mine redone (it seems to be the culprit here) and also plan on extending it further away from the house.
3) Get a sump pump installed. Make sure there are pipe trenches running to it along the back and front walls of your house – especially the back wall though as the yard is the primary suspect (lots of dirt not covered by concrete).
If you have a drain, it might be water backing up. Many of the older brownstones have a floor drain near the boiler and it connects with the house drain. If you don’t have a check valve, some of the sewer water prevents your water exiting causing it to back up. Also, if you live in a low point (Elevation) and have a check valve, you can still get water backing into your basement as the check valve has a difficult time opening with water building up in the sewers preventing the valve from opeing into the direction of the sewers. One idea is to intall or construct some sort of retaining tank that connects all of your storm water in and slowly seeps into sewer. At least if the sewers are backed up, then you have a space to collect your water and allow to exit at a slower pace.
Sump pumps can be placed within the tank to prevent it from overflowing.
Call IEB (718.204.2552) ask for Ted, as I had them place a tank for me three years ago. It set me back $25K (Along with new slab in cellar), but on days like this, I have one less thing to worry about
It could either be a storm drain problem, i.e. debrid clogging drain on roof and leaking through the walls to the basement, or an outdoor drain issue. most likely the latter. check the drain in the back of the house. if water rises a few inches at the base of the house, your basement will flood.
OP here – that “connected” brownstone comment makes it sound like our house hangs out at a social club on Mulberry St. I think I meant to say attached…(and apparently needy).