Water issues yard and basement - who to call- can it be fixed

R M

5 years ago

I’m considering purchasing a property

it’s the dream home dream street I’ve been targeting for 10 hears

then there is the “gotcha”

there are water issues and “therein lies the rub”

I am wondering who are the right type of experts to assess this situation and if it can ever be fixed or it will always be an issue and I Should walk away

the charm of the neighborhood is it is on a creek

the cost of this charm is the creek bed wraps the back of the property

te yard gets swampy in rain and the basement gets moisture

the owner has put in French drains outside and inside and sump pumps and pits

i asked neighbors on the street and they get water during heavy rains and just Accept it. Some other neighbors have finished basements but are slightly higher up

i toured the properry after a rain and the ground was soggy and the basement had damp spots

I called a few landscape architects about diverting the water outside or planting moisture loving trees

I don’t know how to tell if the basement is just always going to be a wet basement or if there’s any hope of making it dry and making it usable space to paint and put workout equipment

and to do that what kind of remediation cost range I could’ve looking at

who would be best to call and ask know im in negotiation phaae And not current owner

And need to get info quickly

here are some picts

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Comments (5)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
5 years ago
The basement waterproofing guys can fix that.
3onthetree
5 years ago
Don't know if there is any negotiation for this situation. They have remediated and probably marked "known water problems" on the disclosure form. I'm a proponet for location, location, location over condition, condition, condition, question is how much are you.

It looks as though the interior "basement waterproofing experts" were only hired to do the wall next to the sump. To eliminate issues, you'd want a full perimeter interior drain tile. Then excavate the exterior and install/fix the footing drain tile. Then waterproof outside foundation. Then regrade as necessary. And no guarantees even then. So who to call - the same basement guys back, an excavator, and a landscaper for each scope.
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User
5 years ago
So the current owners installed some measures, which apparently don't suffice to keep the basement dry, it has damp spots after a typical (?) rain. Neighbors "accept" damp or wet basements. Unless you can also accept a damp and sometimes wet basement, I'd walk away.

FYI we're in a similar neighborhood -- most basements are way too damp for finished space. Carpeting, wall board -- forget it. Anything we keep in our basement is off the floor or stored in plastic bins. We're lucky, there is one slightly raised area that has never flooded, that accommodates our washer/dryer.

After one exceptionally heavy 5" in a couple hour rain, we had water pouring out of the walls and bubbling up through seams in the cement floor. That was disconcerting! If that freaks you out, wait for a house further up the hill!
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
Despite comments to the contrary, no one can tell you how to correct this issue by long distance. You need a knowledgeable local professional for an inperson, onsite evaluation. Since the greatest risk is to the house itself, start with a foundation expert. Their advice should include ways to mitigate the influx of moisture from outside as well, although that may require a drainage or landscape contractor for implementation.

But there is just no way we can tell you precisely how to deal with this just based on a couple of photos and your description. There are too many variables involved we just don't know.
remodeling1840
5 years ago
I think you really know the answer.