Basement water evidence

General Inspection Topics General Inspection Discussion
41

Hi, Mike.
That appears to be a return register. Unfortunately, not enough information.
Age of build.
Lot slope.

As to the return register. Outside wall?
Unmount the duct register. Look into the register and tell us what you see. Look for corrosion and how far the corrosion extends.

As for the column next to the cast iron cleanout.
You see bulk water? The water we drink and bath in?

IMO. The ductwork is good area for condensate to be created. Bulk water follows in the direction of slope.
Column. Posable plumbing fault. Drain clean out cap leaks or ruptured pipe. Either or…

As for the lot drainage experts.
Did any of the experts scope the weeps tiles or do a preliminary excavation to assess the perimeter drainage field near that SUSPECT area? If not, highly unusual for experts. Lol…

Story.
Client. 2 year old home. One foundation crack. exposed.
No efflorescence. No abnormal moisture in wood or concrete. All normal/average.

The basement window leaked when they watered the 2 >< 7 foot conifer tree next to the basement window.
A: I told them remove the trees. B: I told them to caulk the basement window. C: Have the crack injected with polyurethane.

Moving forward. They did not want to bother me again.
They called in 3 specialists, all excavation contractors that do perimeter drainage and injection work.
All 3 said they required new perimeter drainage and weep tiles. Prices ranged from <15,000 to > 30,000 all sides.
Remember. This is a 2 year old house.
They all said they required a new perimeter drainage system and weep tiles. Same scenario. Exterior. Interior. Mixed exterior and interior. LOL!!!

I passed by free of charge and did an analyse with all my tools.
Only one of the excavator foundation repair specialists came back with a reply. No apology. An estimate for $2,000 to inject 6’ feet of concrete. They had to prepare all the surfaces prior the work and replace the drywall at there own expense.

This excavation company works for real estate brokers.I know them now for ><15 years. I did the same work on occasions only professionally.
I have 2 seller’s declarations with invoices of that company charging $570.00 to repair 3 cracks of the same dimensions on 1 property. A legal declaration. Hm? Damn straight legal. Legal enough to tie them up in claims court.

I told my clients to make a consumer complaint on all three companies.

Good luck.
Robert

42

Mark, can you provide me with your email or phone number when you get a chance please.

Thanks,
Mike

43

shtt Mike, are you in Southfield? lol lmk i’ll be around today from like 12:30 to 4:00 586 777 7973

one thing i’d do to start, if you haven’t already is snake/rod that clean out and others, yep. I have had/seen quite a few that needed that, was part or all of their problem. Lmk

44

this homeowner, like some others had a 2-part problem, needed this partially replaced (had a crack in pipe just under floor) and snaked plus they had a few hairline ext-cracks in block wall, driveway side wall

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had NOTHING, zip, to do with a supposed problem with drain tiles

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yeah had to saw-cut approx 18" wide in order to hand dig and waterproof the wall

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so after doing BOTH, the EXT waterproofing and replacing a small part of that pipe and snaking the rest, NO more water has entered his basement, this was about 10 years ago.

say again, there were NO problems in any of the drain tiles and what we have seen repeatedly over 41 years is, there almost always is NOT any problemw/drain tiles and the few times there were, they still were NOT the problem as there were EXT cracks in the F wall which IS where the water was entering

45

say again, there were NO problems in any of the drain tiles and what we have seen repeatedly over 41 years is, there almost always is NOT any problemw/drain tiles and the few times there were, they still were NOT the problem as there were EXT cracks in the F wall which IS where the water was entering

??? You make less sense everytime I listen.

The system, perimeter drainage, contains a perimeter field. 3/4" aggregate equals roughly 99% percent of the drainage SYSTEMs in most cases. The weep tile lay near the bottom.

Inform the members about. how weep tiles are positioned. Horizontal cracks formations. Cold joints. Honey combing.

I know you are an honest hard working man, but please realize. Ramilbing does not make a good teacher to some.

46

I know you can write to read. Please indicate the opposite.

‘As an excavator’, I concur. To excavate soil you do not need a moisture meter.

47

Robert, no disrespect, but I think you win the prize for rambling on.

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48

He has been well known for that Joe. :rofl: :wink:

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50

Well… … … at least he is consistent for sure.

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51

say again for the nth time, thought you’d GET IT by now Bullwinkle, the exterior drain tiles have NOTHING to do with the fact that there are exterior cracks in wall, clay soil expanding n contracting against the wall, underground tree roots etc, zip.

52

That LONGGGG horizontal crack you gloss over eludes to the fact you are an Excavator, that waterproofs and repairs foundation walls. No foundation expert.

Its amazing you have any knowledgeable follows here.

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None taken.

54

So expert. Did have the backfill soil analyzed from an accredited laboratory to see if it was too expensive? Remember, impervious soil, IE backfill, has a high percentage of clay.
Send Marcel Cyr, your MB advocate, the results please. Here can post them on the MB with your permission.

The pic 09_17 resemble clay brick at or below grade.
I can not make out CMU in pic 10_18. Looks like poured concrete.
Pic 20_20 appear to show brick to close to grade. A wide gap between the concrete driveway and the residence with finish grade below the driveway and a gutter at the corner of the home.
The lot is not graded effectively period from what I can tell.

*Note: That horizontal crack, pic 10_18, looks close to the top of the perimeter drainage aggregate field. Hm? Runs almost perpendicular the footing. Hm? I see no CMU lines.

55

you are a sad sack of crap man, i’ve thoroughly explained the problems, solutions, where is your brain at man?

56

Mark. I am not here to listen to your attempts at explaining foundation issues. I hope others refrain from using your posts to build narratives.

You appear to have little regards for interior systems yet provoke nasty comments at businesses that provide that service. Ever think the client is culpable?

I was treated unfairly by members that attacked my verbiage for not being professional. As I explained before. Take the INACHI courses. Very worthwhile.

57

Are you seriously asking if the client could be responsible?

Culpable for what? Trusting the salesperson? Not having a degree in structural engineering?

I am confused!

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Dang, one is never too old to learn a new word. LOL

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59

Southfield MI,

a tad longer so sorry, maybe listen to homeowner from 2:35 -----
other estimates $10,000, $24,000 and $40,000

he snaked clean out about 2 years ago, roots, so they ‘might’ have got in again, just saying it’s possible so, BEFORE spending $ on possible-unnecessary crap ranging from 10,000-40,000 lol, try snaking all clean outs, one doesn't have much to lose in doing this and there are quite a few homeowners that only needed to do this or it was part of their problem.

It may not do anything, but again not much to lose, ya dig?

The register area, sure there might be 1 or 2 etc cracks in wall, cannot see. If i can’t see what i need to see then, lol i say so and give them the option of running a water test in this area to see if water begins to enter onto floor, if so, then there is 1 or more cracks etc in wall, if not the problem is elsewhere but we don’t LIE to people, don’t dream some american shtt up to … sell the job, no. SEE the difference between Danny O’Con and my balding azz? uh huh

60

Sussain. An excavator and/or foundation waterproofing contractor does not have a degree in structural engineering. Nor do most so called foundation drainage and repair experts.
Ask Mark if he holds an engineering degree.

The ones I have worked for or with, foundation experts or structural engineers, do.

Clients choice.
Mama/Sir: Exterior perimeter drainage system is $10,000 (per side.) 4x10,000.
Interior system: $15,000 dollars.
Both guaranteed. 5-10 years.
They both divert water to a gray water or sewer system.

What they do not explain is foundations and footings remain saturated with interior systems.
So what you say?
1: Any surface damage remains.
2: The exterior perimeter drainage field further degrades.
3: Cheaper inferior system.

Which system would you choose if you did not visit this forum? Or even if you did only planned on moving within 3 to 5 years?

Hope that helps.
Leave feedback if you wish.