I've been dealing with a leaky basement for a while now. The situation improved a bit after I had one wall reinforced and waterproofed from the outside, but I'm still noticing some slow leaks at the adjacent corners during rain. It's not a huge amount of water, but enough to be annoying and it's stopping me from finishing the basement, which is part of my renovation plans. I'm considering installing a trench drain system around the perimeter of my house to help with this issue. Would that work, based on what you see in the picture I've linked?
2 Answers
From my own experience with two leaky basements, I'd recommend you really properly waterproof it. This should include a membrane, a perimeter drain at the footings, and possibly a sump pit. You might not see the worst of the leakage until you start ripping into things, so be safe!
First things first, have you checked your gutters? Make sure they’re clean and that the downspouts are directing water at least 6 feet away from the foundation. If water is still getting in during light rain, it might be because water is pooling around your foundation due to poor drainage. That could definitely be a big factor!
That's understandable! Poor drainage around the property can really add to the problems. Just make sure the gutters are working, and then tackle that grading issue if you can. It sounds like a bit of a mess, but it's worth resolving before finishing the basement.
Sounds like it could be a lot of work! What did you end up spending on that kind of waterproofing? I'm a bit worried about costs too.