Hey everyone! My wife and I have been facing some minor flooding in our basement every time it rains. We've lived in our house for about 4 months now. We're planning to install an interior French drain with a sump pump soon because we're tired of vacuuming up water. I've checked our gutters, and they're fine, but we could improve the grading around the house (more details on that shortly). External waterproofing is out of the question for now, so I'm considering a DIY approach for the time being. I'm not sure if the flooding is more due to surface or groundwater, but here's what I'm thinking:
I want to remove the landscape fabric and mulch outside, dig a shallow trench that slopes a bit downhill toward the back of the house, and lay down plastic sheeting (since it's impermeable), topped with mulch or rocks. I'd attach the inside edge of the sheeting to the foundation to catch as much water as possible and let it drain at the back by where the mulch sits against the blocks. My grading could use improvement too, but we're hesitant to mess with that. Basically, is this a decent idea or am I missing something?
3 Answers
I suggest going for underlayment with just the dimples touching the foundation. This setup can help prevent water from directly touching the foundation, allowing it to drain properly if it does manage to get in. Also, while you're at it, consider fixing any cracks or weak spots in the foundation to prevent future issues!
Using plastic under gravel can definitely help reduce water intrusion, based on my own experience! I had something similar when I bought my house two years ago, and it seemed to work well. It could be a cost-effective solution for you too. There are companies that sell similar systems online if you're interested in that sort of setup.
Sounds good! I'll check it out.
It might help if the flooding is caused by surface water. But if the water isn’t coming straight from above next to your house, I’m not sure how much of a difference it will make. Just keep that in mind while planning!
I get that! So you’re saying if I place the plastic right against the house, it might trap water without allowing it to breathe? That sounds important to consider.