Hey everyone! I live in a 100+ year old townhouse with a damp basement and have noticed some mold growth. Unfortunately, my budget is tight at about $20 an hour, so I'm trying to avoid expensive solutions like sump pumps or extensive drainage work. I've received some practical advice from a nonprofit expert, which includes:
1. Water will always be an issue since my shared yard slopes toward the house.
2. Most of the water comes from under the stairs and behind the AC unit, making big fixes tough and costly.
3. I need to clean debris away, pour concrete to fix my cracked foundation, and patch the damp interior wall.
I've started looking at DIY videos and guides to get started, but I'm a bit lost with my limited experience. Can anyone recommend reliable resources or creators on YouTube, or point me to good online guides? I'm especially confused about how to tackle the concrete work and proper waterproofing. Thanks!
1 Answer
First off, you'll want to redirect any water away from your house, especially since you're on a slope. Consider digging a shallow ditch, or "swale," that channels water away. Make sure to check if you have gutters—if not, look for used ones locally and install them to help out.
Also, try to clear any debris from the uphill side of your yard since that can keep water around longer. If possible, a french drain could really help, too. It's just a perforated pipe wrapped in gravel that moves water away from the foundation. You can dig that by hand fairly easily, and it doesn't have to be perfect right away.
It’s a lot of work, but doing it yourself can save you a ton of money!
My home already has gutters that seem to be working well, thankfully!
I’ll definitely need to do more research about the swale and french drain since it's a rowhouse. I didn’t even think about the legal aspects with my neighbor's yard. That could complicate things.