Chicago
01-07-2007, 09:28 PM
I moved into a 1928 bungalow with a recently finished basement about 3 years ago. The previous owners had put in a sump pump with a battery back-up and reported no leaking whatsoever. Unfortunately, being a first-time home buyer, I didn't get any more details concerning what they did to ensure a dry basement.
This year, for the first time, we have gotten a small amount of leaking in the back of the basement during a couple of heavy rains. So far we've been lucky.....the main leaks have come in in the only unfinished room in the basement. And the leaking has only occured during a couple of torrential downpours (both times over 3" of rain in an hour or two). But we did notice a small area (about a foot wide) that was damp in a carpeted area.
My main concern is that I don't know what has already been done. I know from talking to my next door neighbor that the previous owner did put in some type of drain tiles on the side of the house, but have no clue of any specifics. It's obviously all hidden under a new sidewalk. Is there anyway to tell what's going on without some major destruction?
I haven't had any major problems yet, but want to do evertyhing I can to ensure having a dry basement for years to come.
This year, for the first time, we have gotten a small amount of leaking in the back of the basement during a couple of heavy rains. So far we've been lucky.....the main leaks have come in in the only unfinished room in the basement. And the leaking has only occured during a couple of torrential downpours (both times over 3" of rain in an hour or two). But we did notice a small area (about a foot wide) that was damp in a carpeted area.
My main concern is that I don't know what has already been done. I know from talking to my next door neighbor that the previous owner did put in some type of drain tiles on the side of the house, but have no clue of any specifics. It's obviously all hidden under a new sidewalk. Is there anyway to tell what's going on without some major destruction?
I haven't had any major problems yet, but want to do evertyhing I can to ensure having a dry basement for years to come.