My sump is constantly filling with clear water from one of the drain tiles (interior or exterior of footing), causing my sump to run every 5 minutes or so. It did not do this for the first year or two when we bought the house. It now fills constantly, even if it hasnt rained in weeks.(eliminates grading questions) The pump and check valve have been replaced (as the old pump burned out). Is it possible that our city water mains leak? could a test for flouride in the water determine that? I would like to finish my basement, but fear a pump failure. I am planning on a backup pump install, but would really like to know where the water is coming from and if possible stop it. None of our nearby neighbors (less than 10 ft away) have problems, but there homes are older and may not have sump pits. Our house is 6 years old, and sits up higher on the gradual slope than others. We are closer to the water main, but that too was just replaced. I am at a loss.
2007-01-13 10:58:00 · 9 answers · asked by bigdonut72 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
What the ground water is doing at the houses next to you will not tell you anything as the veins that the ground water flows through change and twist so there is nothing that you can do to track it. Your house is new so there is no way to for see what will happen with the water flows.
As far as you sump pit and pump it is doing its job so be happy about that. You might need to get a bigger pump and larger outlet piping to handle the extra flow.
2007-01-13 11:06:36 · answer #1 · answered by zen522 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another thought on the subject is this. Are you on city sewer or on a lateral, airation system, or some other type of septic system. If you have any of these that put your waste water either into the ground or on top of the ground after treatment this could be your problem. My thought at first was that you have a high water table in your area since you said that your house was at a higher grade then your neighbors. All the answers about a broken water main or a broken line into your house or a nieghbors house are all possibilities also. Question; When your basement hole was dug did you or your contractor notice any ground water coming in the hole before the footings and walls were put in? It could be that you have a natural spring feeding in under you floor in the basement also. I wish I could give a more precise answer but there are oh so many variables that with out digging around the foundation or busting up concrete flooring you really cannot tell. Also, good luck. P.S. Talk to a licensed water proofer and get some ideas from them too.
2007-01-13 19:59:15 · answer #2 · answered by Bear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, quite a dilemma. I really like your idea of having the water tested for fluoride. That would seal you case and city would have to resolve it ASAP.
I was curious if one of your neighbors on the block were experiencing some drainage issues and regraded so the water would come your way instead? Do the water test I guess would be my thought and look elsewhere if it's not the case. Artesian Spring? Good luck in finding this soon. Take care.
2007-01-13 19:08:39 · answer #3 · answered by JB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the water company tests the water to see if it is their water they are testing for the trace element that they put in...It could be your main going into the house...We fixed our main and our basement is dry after years of lotsa water...Pricey repair but all the water company has to do is shut off the water at your connection and listen...you will know quickly...My son and I had to plug the hole where the old line came in because we were getting water there but I am dry
2007-01-13 22:05:53 · answer #4 · answered by Patches6 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ground water. Does anyone in your neighborhood have a sprinkler system. Those alone could cause your problem. Especially if they did not drain and blow it out properly in the Fall. A leak in a system can cause havoc for neighbors, not to mention a high water bill.
2007-01-13 19:08:58 · answer #5 · answered by James 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are all kinds of possibilties, but the basic answer is that you have underground water entering your basement. You'll have to have someone verify the source, examine the area afftected, and recommend a solution. Without more detail and not knowing the explicit situation, this is all I really can tell you.
Good luck.
2007-01-13 19:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be coming from a naturally occurring spring that may have been graded over when the building lot was graded. it just took six years for the water to reach your drain tile.
2007-01-13 19:14:37 · answer #7 · answered by danmoore05 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry to hear about it. could be the reason your lot was the last one to be built on the block. check with the town and see what the building inspector says. he/they would have had to sign off on the o.k. to build a house there. good luck.
2007-01-13 19:32:56 · answer #8 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have a fire hydrant nearby? maybe the water line has broken underground
2007-01-13 19:07:22 · answer #9 · answered by cheezy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋