DRY basement?

[angilong]

Your system seems to consist mainly of a sump pump to pump the water out after it has already come in? I must say, I don't understand how this would keep the basement *dry*. My house has always had a sump pump, but the water has still come up to 2"-4" deep through the whole 1100 sf basement at times. Even if it was a much faster pump, and even if there were several pumps around the basement, there would still be a lot of water running from the walls to the pump hole(s) at those times. I don't see how the basement could be finished, or how it could ever be considered "dry" or healthy to live in in that condition!

How does your system work?

[chumpchange]

I'm not replying for Basement Systems. I'm replying based on experience going back to 1972.

Your sump pump isn't doing the job. Here are the possible reasons why:

1. Undersized pump for peak storm flow
2. Restricted pump outlet (mud or critters in the outflow path)
3. There is no water collection tile placed around the inner perimeter of your foundation and sloped toward your sump, so water from only a very small portion of your basement is getting to the pump

If you are getting several inches of standing water in your basement, and there is a way for the standing water to get to your pump, then your pump or pump discharge is at fault. Unless, of course, flooding is always coincident with a power outage, and in that case you need a battery back up pump as well.

Your basement is broke, you need to get it fixed. It is going to cost you a chunk of change if you want that space to be liveable.

Fixing a basement is not high technology, it is un-common sense, using an incremental approach with the goal of affecting a long-term fix for the least cost impact to the consumer. I have seen seasoned builders screw up brand new basements, and the fact is, 90% of all basements are put in incorrectly.