Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice on persistent water issues in my basement. Since we bought our house two years ago, we've experienced water coming in twice. The first incident occurred when our window wells got clogged during a heavy rain, causing water to seep through the basement windows. We had a septic company clean out the drain pipes leading from the window wells to the drain tile, and it seemed to work fine. However, the following spring, a hot day melted a lot of snow, and once again, we had water come in through the windows because the wells weren't draining properly.
Now, we're considering two solutions. One option is to flush out the drain tile, which involves digging a hole and using specialized equipment. The quote for this is $5400. The second option is to regrade the land and install a French drain on one side of the house, which would cost around $13k and likely need another $10k for landscaping afterwards. Our backyard slopes towards the house, which is part of the problem. We're trying to figure out whether to go with one or both options to prevent another flood, especially since our insurance has been good about covering the previous damages but may not next time. Any experienced insights would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
It sounds like your drain tile might not be managing the water flow effectively, especially during heavy runoff. It's worth checking if your downspouts are connected to the same drain tile system. If they are, that could definitely complicate things during heavy rains or snowmelt. I'd recommend looking into that before committing to the big fixes.
Before spending a fortune, consider some DIY options! First, extend your downspouts away from the house to divert water better. You can also use a shovel to grade the ground around your home, creating a slope that directs water away from the foundation. If you can, dig a shallow ditch to help with runoff, and if you don’t have a sump pump, a pit could help manage drainage effectively. Also, monitor where water collects when it rains or snows—analyzing how water flows around your property is key to planning improvements like a French drain later on.
Great advice! I’ll definitely look into extending the downspouts, but regrading sounds like a lot of work for me. Is there a way to check the water table on my property? What if that’s what's causing the issues?
That's a good point! I’m not sure about the downspouts, but I’ll check them out. Thanks for the suggestion!