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How to repair a leaking foundation/basement

S

spidey07

No Lifer
I've got a what I think is a foundation leak in my basement. The problem is it's finished. The carpet/pad is soaked on what I'd call a 6x6 foot area. After looking outside there is significant erosion of the soil away from the foundation and water is just sitting there. I've taken care of that.

The leak/problem is only on a particular side of the foundation but the wall is probably 30' long.

So the main question is:
"Do I tear off 9 sheets of painted/finished drywall to see what's up or (my idea) pull up the shoe and carpet along said wall to see where the leak is happening?"
 
had a lot of rain lately?

I'd check my gutters to make sure they're clear. Also, assess the slope of your yard to make sure its sloping away from your house.

Basically, figure out how to keep water from collecting near your house.
 
Actually fixing the problem may entail digging up the soil along the side of the house where the leak is and mitigating the problem there. It may be as simple as just cleaning the concrete and applying an asphaltic sealer, or if the problem is severe enough, you may need to put in a drain of sorts to get the water away from the foundation.
The proiblem MAY just be from poor surface drainage, in which case regrading that part of your property so the water drains away from the house may also be enough to stop the existing problem. (but if it's leaking into the house, the leaky part of the foundation SHOULD be repaired anyway.
 
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
had a lot of rain lately?

I'd check my gutters to make sure they're clear. Also, assess the slope of your yard to make sure its sloping away from your house.

Basically, figure out how to keep water from collecting near your house.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've done that now after the leak - big pipe keeping it away from the house and into the natural channels of the yard. The downspout in question causing all the erosion was hitting the concrete foundation of the AC unit, but the damage is already done. The slope of the yard is good but because of this erosion I'm where I am.

I guess I'm asking if this repair is really something I can do myself (I'm pretty handy but am not a tradesman or pretend to know what I'm doing) and if so how do I do it and identify the leak.
 
clean gutters, keep water flowing away from house, cut drywall 12" above the floor and remove any wet insulation. Use a fan/de-humidifier and allow to dry thoroughly before putting the rock back.
 
Hello, I'm Troy McClure. You might remember me from such instructional videos as ``Mothballing Your Battleship'' and ``Dig Your Own Grave, And Save!''
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
had a lot of rain lately?

I'd check my gutters to make sure they're clear. Also, assess the slope of your yard to make sure its sloping away from your house.

Basically, figure out how to keep water from collecting near your house.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've done that now after the leak - big pipe keeping it away from the house and into the natural channels of the yard. The downspout in question causing all the erosion was hitting the concrete foundation of the AC unit, but the damage is already done. The slope of the yard is good but because of this erosion I'm where I am.

I guess I'm asking if this repair is really something I can do myself (I'm pretty handy but am not a tradesman or pretend to know what I'm doing) and if so how do I do it and identify the leak.
Click to expand...

No kidding, drywall is the toughest thing you have to fix if you go that route, and you may need to because water in drywall is no good. Carpet/padding probability is 90% that it is bad already as it seems some time has elapsed; the warmer the worse.

As suggested, the only RELIABLE fix for a leaking foundation is digging/patching from the outside.

I have drainage trenches 1'wide x 3' deep with 6" PVC with 1/4" holes drilled all over the top of it buried in gravel coverered with 4" of sand then mulch surrounding three sides of my home, and that drain out into the back back yard. Never had a leak since. The pipes must be elevated 1' for every 10' of run. 5" drain tile (flexible ABS plastic tubing), that they sell at home centers is garbage.

To save money/face/marriage, hire professionals.
 
Thanks guys, probably just have somebody else do it as I don't want to ruin any new carpet/padding I put in. Carpet needs replacing anyway so maybe I can get insurance to cover it.

But they'll probably say I needed flood insurance for this. 🙁
 
short term: ensure you have adequate drainage away from your house (eavestroughs all drain away, ground beside walls is graded away from the house)

long term: you have to dig up from the outside and fix it. Best solution is to use a elastomeric foundation coating (NOT THE BLACK TAR) in combination with a weeping barrier (like Delta MS or similar) and install a weeping tile system at your footing draining to a sump pit with a pump and discharging that water away from your house... then you will never have problems again
 
you should remove anything that got wet on the inside... or you could get mold. Don't replace it once it has been removed until the leak is fixed.
 
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