Looking For A Quick Fix

Discussion in 'Home Improvement' started by Von Jones, Sep 29, 2018.

  1. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    I've mentioned before in another thread that water has been coming in my basement when it rains for a long period of time or just plain hard. @Yvonne Smith suggested getting a wet vac and I found a 10 gallon ($5) one at the flea market. Now I'm looking for a quick fix to stop the rain from entering the east side of the house. I've done my homework and getting it done professionally is too expensive and every YouTube video has fallen into that category as well.

    I'm good at improvising. Here are a couple of ideas I had for quick fixes.

    Dig a trench and just fill it with cement. I started the trench then had second thoughts - Maybe there is another way. Then thought of this -

    Secure an awning that would direct the rain away from the house.

    Pros and cons with each option. I'll be at Lowes when the doors open in the morning.
     
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  2. Sheldon Scott

    Sheldon Scott Supreme Member
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    Depending on how severe the problem is, sometimes the expensive way ( professional ) is cheaper in the long run.

    Per the 10 gallon vac, do you have a way to empty it wen it gets full?
     
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  3. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
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    I have no suggestions at all Von, but I absolutely feel for you having to deal with that horrible situation.

    @Bobby Cole , @Frank Sanoica , and most of the guys on here seem to know their way around house repairs and maintenance so hopefully someone will have suggestions for you to get it repaired once and for all... I wish you very Good luck, !!
     
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  4. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
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    If I may.....more details.
    How long has the water been coming in?
    Is the water coming from one area or are all the walls in the basement wet?
    How old is the house?
     
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  5. Beatrice Taylor

    Beatrice Taylor Veteran Member
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    If you have gutters on the roof I would suggest a longer pipe on the downspout to take the water away from the house.

    Another thought might be a heavy plastic or rubber mat sloping away from the side of the house covered with stone chips or mulch.

    Good luck!

    [​IMG]
     
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  6. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    Yeah before it gets too full that I can't lift it.:D
     
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  7. Nancy Hart

    Nancy Hart Veteran Member
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    @Von Jones, do you have a picture of that side of the house, so we could see how the ground slopes? (I'm assuming you already have gutters.)

    I have the same problem at my house, but it only happens with a heavy rain after the ground is already saturated, not too often. :rolleyes:
     
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  8. Martin Alonzo

    Martin Alonzo Supreme Member
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    Is it only after rain or does it come in all the time. What is the water table in your area. If it is only when it rains it is only a problem of moving the water from the roof farther from your house. If the water table is high in your area you will have to dig down around the house and seal the cement from the outside as all sealing from the inside fails in time. the old homes that had that problem would put in a sump pump and just get rid of the water.
    Have fun
     
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  9. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    It only happens when there is constant rain as in days and heavy rainfall. You're right about sealing on the inside. It worked for a while but I only put one coat - too strong of a smell throughout the house that lasted for a while. It's an old house (1920s). It was worst before sealing the inside though.
     
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  10. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    Was really bad when we first purchased the house in 2000. The owner noted that it was because of the neighbor's house which the gutters are pretty bad but after observing I couldn't agree with that because of the distance between the houses. I thought I would see flooding or big puddles of water but never did.

    The water enters only through one wall specifically in four areas but after I removed a bush and poured cement in the area it's three where water comes in.

    The house was built in the 1920s I think 1923.
     
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  11. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    Being a two story home it would be difficult as well as expensive to extend the overhang but fortunately there is a wooden trim around the lower level which is where I will attempt to do that.

    DIY home repair project Sept 2018 007.jpg
    What is shown is a piece of gutter I use to cover the trench I dug when I first began to tackle the problem.
     
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    Last edited: Sep 29, 2018
  12. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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  13. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    Okay so I walked around in the building materials at Lowes to see what I could find and I found this. It is used for gutters but I'm using it for this project. A couple of pennies short of $4 each fit my budget too.

    I placed a piece against the trim to see how far it extended and it was enough to cover the trench so I was pleased.

    I have my supply of Pepsi, the weather today is gorgeous and I'm ready to get to work.
    DIY home repair project Sept 2018 cont 002.jpg
     
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  14. Martin Alonzo

    Martin Alonzo Supreme Member
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    if you have an eaves trough system on your house you could take the down spout into a hose/pipe out to the street
     
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  15. Martin Alonzo

    Martin Alonzo Supreme Member
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    Von
    Here is my drinking water supply it is a 4 inch GetAttachmentThumbnail.jpg plastic pipe cut in half used wire to keep it in place and it runs to a tank maybe it will give you some ideas
     
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