There is a crack in the basement wall near the sump pipe exit. The crack leaks under certain weather conditions, when water pools in that area. Proper grading was never done around the house when it was built and I believe grading will stop the leak. I plan to try this fix first then it may not be necessary to dig out and repair the crack. I plan to bury the sump pipe then grade. What type of earth should I order for grading? i.e. clay, sand, topsoil? What is the recommended slope of the grade?
Answer:
My suggestion for grade has the earth ten inches higher next to the house than it is five or six feet away. That way, it ends up being roughly three or four inches after a year. I prefer to use all sand for backfill and then good top soil to finish things off.
