Basement flooded? Question for all you plumbers out there....?

Question

We're trying to figure out why. The sump pump works, the injector pump seems to be fine(however not sure howv to test). There is no standing water, just a soaked carpet The only thing that we could think of, is the heavy rain that we just got. But we've had heavy rain before with no flooding. Any idea's, anyone?

its a brand new construction lke 2 years old..

Answer 1

heavy rains you say..........a basement window? even if closed it could be possible that it leaked in from there. an injector pump or an EJECTOR pump? you have basement plumbing fixtures I assume? To test the pump just run water and stand by the ejector pit until the pump kicks on and listen for the water to be expelled. Test the sump pump the same way except you have to run water into the sump pit.

The only other possibility I can think of is really bad, your drain tile is plugged or crushed, water is accumulating in that area and coming up through the concrete somewhere.

Take a walk around the basement while someone runs the water flushes toilets etc etc upstairs. Listen, look see what you can find. Look for wet spots on the walls, ceilings near windows.

The heavy rain you described does make me think that it may have puddled outside of a window and then leaked in that way, I do hope that is the case in a 2 year old house.

Answer 2

I'm almost afraid to answer this question but, contact the builder of the construction and the other people that had houses built by them. It sounds like hydraulic pressure that's pushing water through your basement floor, from a poorly sealed floor.
This happens when they're in a hurry and shoddy construction isn't in question. The only recourse while the home is still new and maybe under warranty is for court action if the builder isn't willing to return to correct the problem. Of course it's going to be a big job. I've seen it take a summer and a lot of digging. And then, they had to come back. You may want to think of waiting for dry weather and cleaning up, selling and getting out. It's another shoddy way to get out but ? the only other way is to pay.

Answer 3

Check water lines and water heater unit for leaks. Just replaced an electric water heater for a customer who walked into her finished basement for the first time in about a week to find water squishing up from under her feet in the carpet. The weld around the top element opening had cracked and was pouring water out into the carpet and floor. Her sump never kicked on.

Answer 4

I trust the above solutions that propose doing it your self however in case you simply should not have the time I'd advise calling a fireplace and flood recuperation contractor. They are extra highly-priced than doing it your self or calling a nearby handyman however they have got alot of enjoy cleansing up and solving flood issues. A plumber will probably be competent to eliminate the water however surely may not be competent to supply you any answers to hold it taking place one day. A well recuperation contractor will have to be competent to arise with a everlasting approach to support hold you from having to manage a foot of water for your basement once more or no less than have a few suggestions to particularly support with the difficulty.

Answer 5

Remind me of my fathers house. Builder didn't seal the basement wall on the attached garage side. No water can leak there? Guess where the water came from. He installed some gutters and a drain and it fixed the problem. Trouble is that he specifically told the builder to make sure to set things up so that he wouldn't have to use gutters.

It is spring time. Frost where you live? If so, the ground may still be partially frozen below grade. Water can't drain through frozen earth nearly as well as thawed earth. Plus it is still water logged from any snow you may have had.

Answer 6

Likely yer foundation isnt sealed properly anymore.. it happens...