Basement Drainage
Need the collective wisdom of this site. I started the work on finishing my basement and am about to pour 4 inches of concrete after digging down one foot of dirt/clay. I just found out that i have some water sipping from outside. The reason I am getting water is because I installed a drain in my concrete patio in the backyard, and I didnt yet put concrete back around the drain so during last rain the water was going into the soil around the drain and not into the drain itself. Now that I am faced with this issue, I wonder if pouring concrete in my backyard will solve my issue and if I need to do anything else before I pour concrete in my basement and put tiles on the floor there. My relative is advising me to put the concrete properly in the backyard patio away from the house and also before pouring concrete on the basement floor, to put gravel for better drainage. Any other ideas? Do I really need gravel before I pour concrete in the basement? Do I need to do any water proofing before I pour the floor especially given my latest water issue? Any advice on this issue? Who should I talk to about this? Thank you.

deva
in Roofers 11 years and 1 month ago
6
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arch007 | 11 years ago
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The bldg code requires min 4″ gravel under all concrete and a vapor barrier…if anyone cares, sometimes they do things for a reason

ellenlourie | 11 years and 1 month ago
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Yard drain must be connected to house plumbing system.

Townie | 11 years and 1 month ago
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Can a rear yard drain be plumbed into the main house line and out into the street?

Arkady | 11 years and 1 month ago
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I’d dig down farther around the perimeter of the basement – maybe another foot – & fill back up w/ pea grit to the level at which the rest of the floor is waiting for the pour. Put wire mesh on top so the concrete doesn’t seep into the grit.

greenmountain | 11 years and 1 month ago
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RE tile on the floor of your new finished basement: Tile failures can result from moisture. Concrete absorbs ground water and releases moisture in to the air. Tile generally does not, but moisture under tile can force tiles to release their bond and pop off. I recommend Schluter Ditra uncoupling membrane, which channels vapor to the perimeter of your floor, where it can be allowed to evaporate, unless you mistakenly seal the edges. I recommend it for any large floor because in manages expansion and contraction variations between tile and substrate, but it also distributes water vapor, and this is helpful with concrete floors such as basements.

ellenlourie | 11 years and 1 month ago
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You have to hire plumber to do yard drains. Do not Do it yourself.