your corner

Post Reply | Watch this Post

Regina..since you having seepage in the corner your problem will probably be A) there is a crack and/or other opening on the outside of the wall where you see water inside(corner)..and/or you have a direct opening(s) "above" ground on the outside which might be in the form of open mortar joints,loose-cracked bricks,caulking needs around a window/door/or any line that enters your house(like a hose for central air unit).To find out...wait for a dry day and when your floor in corner is dry then lay a hose at ground level on the outside at the corner,against the wall and let it run full blast for up to an hour,or until you notice water on floor(you may have to move the hose a couple feet to right and left). If you get water in then your problem will be the basement wall in the corner area and you need to have it "hand dug" but only in the corner,say 4 or 5' on both sides at corner down to the footing.The dirt should be hauled away and any crack/openings should be sealed w/hydraulic cement and thick tar should be applied to entire parts of wall excavated w/visqueen apllied over tar,top to bottom,end to end in corner and then backfill w/100% peastone w/maybe a few inches of top soil at ground level.To answer how severe the crack is I highly doubt that any vertical,horiz or step crack is dangerous to the wall(would have to see them),it just needs to be sealed & backfilled correctly..and any pressure against it from heavy dirt or roots will be greatly lessened from backfilling w/peastone and getting rid of the dirt & roots that could further crack or push a wall.You should be OK! As for cost,depends on whats in the way on the outside in corner area.If there is an central air unit or concrete etc. then we would need to disconnect the a/c ,or would have to saw-cut ONLY 18 inches wide by 4-5' long apron off to be able to dig.If nothing is in the way, meaning within 18 inches of the wall then it would be less.For 10'total linear footage of corner w/nothing in the way I would charge $775-950..depending on "depth" on basement.A small job as such would be done in 4-5 hours. If there is an a/c at corner I would have to add $250 to remove & replace unit,thats what my a/c guy charges..but anyone who has new unit will prolly want to have whoever installed the a/c come and disconnect/reconnect it so the homeowner doesn`t lose any warranty they may have on a new a/c.I do not charge a homeowner for the use of my 14" cut off saw and labor to take out cement aprons.Now..IF you do not leak when running the hose against the wall at ground level(for a good hour)..then the direct openings that are allowing water in should be above ground level and you need to run the hose against the house,from lower part slowly upward to the roof,a little left & right and only soak a small area at a time,you want to be as precise as possible,and when you begin to leak inside then whatever area you were just soaking is the problem(you should be able to see most openings,look real close) and needs to be sealed.Including basement windows,new or old,and including those vents/screens in the windows.You can call me direct for free if ya like...or anyone who has problems,gl.