Waterproofing Basement - experience with Vulcan and Mid-Atlantic?I

I’ve read a little in the archives but was hoping for any more experience with Vulcan and/or Mid-Atlantic for installing a french drain.  I’m also curious as to people who have installed French drains and whether they have performed over time, and whether there is concern about the water coming through the walls damaging the foundation. The Mid-Atlantic quote is more than double, but it does include city permits, connecting directly to the sewer line, and “patented” solutions such as a pipe that keeps silt from collecting and a right-angle piece that sits just below surface where wall meets top of drain and would theoretically direct any water that did come down walls into drain.  It has a guarantee as long as the owner has title to the house and can be extended to a second owner.  They would also shore up under the foundation wall with a vertical piece of some sort (don’t have details right now).  The pump guarantee is not so long, though, and if that fails the guarantee wouldn’t hold up.  The sales approach was aggressive, and we’ve read several complaints (and many good reviews) on various sites. Vulcan was much cheaper, but they wouldn’t connect to the sewer line or do a permit.  Another post I read implied this was part of why they’re cheaper, and that it wasn’t by the books, but the home owner could be liable later on if caught or a problem occurred. After reading a couple recommendations here, I’m going to bring in an independent structural engineer I think before proceeding, but I’d still like to know people’s experiences with Vulcan, mid-Atlantic, or french drains in general. This is for an attached brick row house circa 1900.

jtv

in Facade and Brownstone Repair 11 years and 10 months ago

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nikzei | 11 years and 8 months ago

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Jtv- I’m in the same situation with my building in north slope. I’m still somewhat confused about permits and have called multiple city agencies to find out if they are required but no one seemed to know what I was talking about. Could you please send an update? I’d love to hear what you decided. Thanks!

hooky | 11 years and 10 months ago

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mruby- I agree with your assessment on how to go about getting other bids and then giving the work to Atlantic for the right info. It means they did their homework and should be rewarded.

mruby36 | 11 years and 10 months ago

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I have a place north of the city so I don’t know anything about permits etc., what I can tell you is the gap in value of doing it right versus wrong is immense. The contractor that did french drains around my house did an unbelievable job and the system has been in place for 10 years. We’ve had torrential rains this season and some pretty good ones in recent years. There is not a drop of water in the basement and no standing water anywhere on the property. Other houses in the vicinity of mine that I know did bit pay as much attention to this, deal with pumps and mosquitos like you can’t believe. Have you considered using Mid-Atlantics quote as a guide/spec for others to bid on? Whether a good spec or bad, apples is apples and oranges to,… well you know the rest. If there’s turns out to be close, give em the work even if their a little high in return for giving you good information the first time.

hooky | 11 years and 10 months ago

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What type of pump are they providing? A pump can be $145 from Home Depot, or $1000 from Liberty. Will they install a back flow preventer at any course of connection? What water are you protecting yourself from, ground water or storm line back up? I’m just asking because I would base your decision and monetary outlay on how bad a problem you have.