estimate and concerns

[chewy]

I got two estimates from two different basement systems dealers. While certain items were priced differently, both came out between 9-11k. This seemed higher than I had anticipated. Both suggested the sumps in completely different places.

While the system seems well thought through, as I have only a small water problem I am concerned that installing an entire paramter drain will give me the problems other have mentioned... leaks where the new/old concrete meets, leaks from holes drilled in the walls.

Also, I have an ok understanding of how the work will be done, but as I have older poured concrete walls with a lot of eff. on them and cracks in the floor that do weep, how can I be sure the system won't just hide these problems and the foundation continue to be weakened by water pressure/exposure over the years... eventually leading to a larger problem.

Please advise as I would like to have a dry basement but am concerned that with two totally different estimates and approaches suggested, I am not sure who to go with...

thanks.

[richard]

estimate and concerns

I'll answer your concerns in order...

As for the sump pump (http://www.basementsystems.com/sump_pump/) location, I would recommend that you speak with both of the design specialists that came out and see why they chose the locations they did. Typically the sump pump (http://www.basementsystems.com/sump_pump/) would be put in the lowest spot in the basement, but there may be other factors. Each basement waterproofing system is custom designed to fit the particular situation, so there may be varying concerns.

I understand your concern with the water and the integrity of the building structure, but the bigger concern is controlling the water that is coming into your home. Our basement waterproofing system (http://www.basementsystems.com/basement_waterproofing/) does not cause problems, but rather solves them, by draining the water away and drying the building materials. By draining the water away, the water no longer sits against your basement wall (http://www.basementsystems.com/basement_waterproofing/basement_wall/), thus greatly reducing, many times eliminating all of the efflorescence.

All Basement Systems dealers are trained by Basement Systems and we only work with the best basement waterproofing contractor (http://www.basementsystems.com/basement_waterproofing/basement_waterproofing_contractor.php) companies in any particular region. Ultimately, you'll have to decide which company and solution that you feel the most comfortable with.

You can't lose by choosing between two Basement Systems dealers.

-Richard

[tnaturner]

Hi,

We've had some leakage problems in our concrete basement for the past few years, and with this rainy season, it seems to have gotten worse: the walls have a lot of efflorescence, and water is weeping through some portions of the cement. So we're doing what we should've done a while ago, and are getting bids from foundation waterproofing contractors -- so far, they've proposed exterior waterproofing solutions.

We will be meeting with a Basement Systems contractor in a few weeks -- in advance, I've gone through the "Dry Basement Science" freebie promo guide they've sent to us. I think I have a good handle on how the interior-based systems that y'all recommend will work, but I have the same concern raised by the previous poster:

"... how can I be sure the system won't just hide these problems and the foundation continue to be weakened by water pressure/exposure over the years... eventually leading to a larger problem."

This issue isn't really discussed in the promo guide -- and this is the only post I've seen in this forum mentioning the issue.

So my question to the Basement Systems experts that monitor this forum: can you clarify if (and how) the Basement Systems solution addresses the problem of water getting into the walls in the first place -- and thereby weakening the foundation over time? I understand that an interior drainage system will seek to divert the water downwards and into the drain vs. seeping further into the walls; but to what degree? (The analogy I'm thinking of is a cardboard box immersed in water; poking some holes in the bottom will allow the water to flow right in -- but the walls of the box will still get soaked). Excavating and waterproofing the exterior is dismissed in your promo guide -- but it seems like this is the only way to go fully prevent the water from seeping into and degrading the walls.

If we go with an interior solution, we also want to be pretty darn sure that the system components (e.g., BrightWall) don't merely cover up the problem of ongoing water seepage into the basement walls and progressive deterioriation of the foundation.

Any info. you can offer is appreciated. Please feel free to PM, or post to this list.

Thanks!

[richard]

tnaturner,

Even in a brand-new house, with a brand new exterior footing drain, water still comes through the footing-wall joint -- it's just that because some of the water (or most) is directed away, the hydrostatic pressure isn't great enough to to push the water up on the floor (if you looked beneath the floor in most houses, you would see water present, even if there's no sign on the basement floor).

If structural integrity is a concern with concrete and water, then every bridge in the world would have to be re-engineered as their concrete posts sit in water all day every day.

The System Design Specialist that comes out for your appointment will explain these things in detail, but the concern is to keep water and moisture (water vapor) out of the living space to make it usable, livable, healthier, more comfortable, prevent mold growth, and increase energy efficiency.

-Richard