Excavation to fix basement flooding

Hi jty2, did you get this work done? I’m in the research phase of basement waterproofing, both interior and exterior options.

bklyn658

in Renovation 9 years and 2 months ago

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jty2 | 9 years and 10 months ago

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My brownstone in Brooklyn has been having problems with flooding in the basement during heavy rains. I have a contractor that wants to dig out the front yard and waterproof the front of the house (the water is coming in through the basement wall in the front of the house by the area of the old coal chute. Do we need building permits to do that type of work (building is landmarked as well)? Also, any suggestions on how effective that will be? Other companies like Vulcan just want to put in a french drain in the basement, though I would prefer to keep the water out. Thanks!

catboot | 9 years and 10 months ago

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We put french drains in the back yard. Solved the problem.

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 10 months ago

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You’ll need LPC approval and DOB permits. Given that it is an excavation, you will need engineering input as well. There could be a simpler, very fast way around completely waterproofing the front basement wall (and avoiding LPC, etc) which may be done under the guise of “gardening” and installing a french drain, which should do the trick depending upon how the water collects and runs toward the house. However, if, as you say, this is a matter of weatherproofing the coal chute, there should be alternative methods of covering that and maybe installing a french drain in the area of the coal chute outbump within the basement. Maybe cement in some durock or other waterproof material under the existing coal chute cover and replace the cover.

jty2 | 9 years and 10 months ago

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Contractor claims we don’t need permits for this if we are going to be restoring it back as is. How big is the risk if we just go ahead?

Arkady | 9 years and 10 months ago

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I doubt water proofing will be as effective as a french drain would be – hydrostatic pressure is hard to combat.

workisfun | 9 years and 10 months ago

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when we excavated our rear to waterproof, we found holes in the foundation that i could reach my arm through. a french drain wouldn’t have done much to stop that. but it’s much cheaper and may be worth a try. is your basement finished?

jty2 | 9 years and 10 months ago

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Yes, basement is finished. Arkady- Are you talking about a french drain on the inside or the outside? It seems better to try to keep the water out. Thanks.