Date: Mon, 06 Jun 2005 15:02:07 -0400
From: "CL (dnoyeB) Gilbert" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Floor Crack and Water under house

I had someone come look at a crack in my floor and they said it was due 
to hydrostatic pressure.  The crack was damp.  I also had a toilet 
installed in the basement and the cement we relaid is also damp along 
the perimiter and some of it is just plain damp/moist (simply darker due 
to water presence).  There was indeed water under the house when we 
removed the cement to lay the toilet pipe.

The guy suggested I install a drainage system under my basement.  The 
house is 2.5 years old and seems to have an existing foundation drainage 
system.  It has a sump pump and a bunch of cleanouts along the perimeter 
of the basement (which I havent figured out how to open the countersunk 
slotted things)  Is it really necessary to suppliment the foundation 
drainage system with an internal one?  Could the foundation drainage 
system be clogged?

I recall shortly after we moved in (when spring came) the sump water 
began to run dirty, and the pump got clogged.  I cleaned the pit of lots 
of dirt and also about 3-4 cups of tar.  The sump got clogged again 
within 6 months and had to be cleaned again.  The pump runs about every 
minute at this point.

Then I turned down the sprinkler system and it seemed to slow 
appreciably.  About every 5 minutes.

I am wondering if maybe some of that dirt got stuck in the pipes and the 
system needs cleaning?  Is it possible to clean the foundation drain or 
is this something that is just bad now??  Should I patch the crack 
without dealing with the water?  Is it ok to just put some sealant over 
the cement floor to prevent the moisture weeping up through the cement?

Not sure what to do.


Thanks for any tips!


-- 
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert