Very wet cellar

Hi, Since we moved in to our south slope frame house about two years ago, the basement has become increasingly wet. It seemed to start when our new water main and gas service was installed, within days of each other and just before Hurricane Sandy. Though we’re close to 8th ave, we wet-vac-ed around 200 gallons that night, and since then get water in every storm. This summer it seems like it’s even worse, with about two inches of water down there TODAY when it hasn’t rained in a few days. A few couple of months ago a sink hole opened up in the street directly in front of our house, under the patch where our gas and water were put in. From what I could see all the backfill had washed away. There is also a dirt gap visible under our area way. So . . . where do I begin? Will putting in some sort of a french drain do any good or is this problem bigger than that? What specialist could really help me? Also we are thinking of trying to finish some or all of our basement, despite our contractor putting pipes and elec wiring *all over* our ceiling instead of in isolated locations. Should we put off finishing it for some amount of time after a drain goes in? Thanks for advice and thoughts – I really don’t know where to begin on this one!

elm_bk

in Cellar 10 years and 8 months ago

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brucef | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Basically, something is messed up, and any approach that doesn’t methodically locate and identify the source is a waste of time and money. (such as French drain) Certain pipes/systems are pressurized (copper main in from street). Others are gravity driven. Now a compromised waste line (for instance a crack on the bottom where you can’t see it) only leaks when water is flushed from fixtures in your house. The exception to this gravity/pressurized dichotomy would be a flooding condition in the waste line in the street, which backs up your (and everyones’) gravity sloped lines. This is pressurized and will leak much more than routine flushing from your house. Remember that a waste line with a crack may still allow the easiest path to flow out to the street (normal situation, not paragraph above). If the breach is (hopefully) in your cellar, it may take simultaneously draining a tub and flushing a couple toilets to make a new flow that you can see. Similarly, you might have to squeeze a garden hose, full flow into the roof gutter ground connections. If any vendor suggests a “solution” that doesn’t start with a thorough diagnosis, run the other way. What you say regarding front yard washout isn’t reassuring, sorry but my guess is the new main is bad.

gtinsouthslope | 10 years and 8 months ago

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Since it got wet today when it didnt rain, talk to your neighbors if you haven’t already done so. Yesterday I spent an hour trying to figure out why my basement was wet. I knocked on my neighbors door and explained the situation and he checked his basement. 5 minutes later he called and said the water pipe to his backyard spigot was leaking water into his basement. He turned of the water and thanked me for letting him know.

cate | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I was going to say the same thing. Sounds like a sewer line outside the house could be leaking. Be forewarned, depending on where the leak is located, it may be your responsibility and it can be very expensive to fix.

Putnamdenizen | 10 years and 8 months ago

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I might sign up for that insurance policy being offered to cover waterlines and sewer lines first. Sounds like you may need to replace something (although I note in rereading you just did that!).

resident2 | 10 years and 8 months ago

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It is always a long process and a process of elimination to find the exact source of where water leaks come from. But as you say that it mostly happens during down pours, storm water seams to be the issue. But where is the storm water leaking? You say that it started when you had the water & gas lines replaced from the street. It would not be the first time that the construction of one utility damages another and if it created a crack in the sewer line in the street, it may well eventually create a sink hole. As well as constantly seeping into your basement. Do neighbors have a similar problem? I would make my call to the DEP, have them come out and inspect all their lines, connections etc. And stress that it is seeping into your basement. Does the water come through the wall or back up from the sewer? Have you had all of your interior lines checked? When I say interior, I mean all sewer lines plumbing lines within your property even if they are under ground? As you are just off 8th Ave, high ground, it is unlikely that it is a natural underground water way. As for finishing your basement, if the damp issue is as bad as you say it, there is no point in spending money there until you have got to the bottom of the leaking.