Hello everyone-
We just bought this house, a 124-year-old Victorian, and as the first snowfall of the year is melting our basement has developed a leak. Water appears to be seeping through the foundation walls, which is the old stone-and-mortar style.
Does anyone have any tips for what to look for in regards to locating the source of the leak, and what can be done about it?
The walls definitely need a new parge coat all around, but I don't think I should do that until I resolve the leak (unless, of course, that would be a solution for the leak -- I know very little about this).
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Brian
COMMUNITY FORUM
- Forum >
- Basement & Foundation >
- Basement Leak - Stone & Mortar Foundation
Have any pic`s? ....Much easier to help folks.
There may be openings in the mortar below ground,may be openings above ground or BOTH.
Any openings below and above ground provides an entryway for water, find them & seal `em correctly....Outside!
Thanks for the reply!
I think I found the source. (I would've posted earlier, but we've been having trouble with our internet access in the neighborhood... grrrrr Comcast.)
This house has no gutters (I know, that's definitely on the A-list of things to take care of in the immediate future) and I noticed one corner of the house where the water was pouring off the roof and then pooling instead of running off into the yard.
I rigged up a temporary diverter, but I'm guessing the long-term solutions are 1.) gutters on the house, and 2.) landscaping to make sure the slope falls away from the house and the foundation. Does this sound like the two most important items?
I think I found the source. (I would've posted earlier, but we've been having trouble with our internet access in the neighborhood... grrrrr Comcast.)
This house has no gutters (I know, that's definitely on the A-list of things to take care of in the immediate future) and I noticed one corner of the house where the water was pouring off the roof and then pooling instead of running off into the yard.
I rigged up a temporary diverter, but I'm guessing the long-term solutions are 1.) gutters on the house, and 2.) landscaping to make sure the slope falls away from the house and the foundation. Does this sound like the two most important items?
well, you stated that it appeared water was coming 'through' the bsmt walls `n like i say, if there are any 'direct openings' on the Outside of the home, Below and/or Above ground, it would be wise to seal them tp stop/prevent water entry which i`m sure ya know can also cause mold.
if there are any openings below ground in the wall then they need to be fixed correctly to stop water entry but also to prevent radon,termites `n other insects from entering home.Radon is in the Soil and enters through cracks `n other openings in basement walls and floors.
sure, keeping water that runs off the roofs needs to be kept from wetting/soaking the house. That can cause deterioration in bricks,mortar joints etc `n can cause quite a bit of efflorescence.Gutters can keep that water coming off the roofm from hitting side of house but again.....If you have any openings on the outside they should be sealed.
On wind-blown heavy rains, any opening between bricks,around windows etc can allow water/moisture to enter, sometimes quite a bit of water can enter through these above ground openings and wind up on your basement floor. The gutters will help w/the water running off roof but doesnt stop wind blown rainwater from entering these openings, see what i mean?
