We purchased our house in 1991 and only this last fall we have noticed a leak in our laundry room. Unfortunately it was under my washmachine well, a new washingmachine later the leak was still there and it occured days after rain or melt of snow well, now the leak has greater flow of water and immediately during the rain or melt of snow. My husband pulled back the drywalll and insulation to see that there is an extensive crack previously fixed by the owners before us. Am I correct in thinking this will require digging down the exterior wall, cleaning the concret and repairing then laying gravel or some other materials to wick away the water from the area and sloping the new earth away?
Answer:
You're on the right track but it will take a bit more than just repairing the crack. You'll want to make sure the drainage tile along the footings is working and you should be able to do this with a garden hose that you push in there while the water is running in it. If you just turn on enough water supply to slightly stiffen the hose, it should go around corners. A marker every ten feet or so on the hose will tell you how far you've penetrated. It should go in far enough to reach the full length of the wall opposite the one you're working on. Go in both directions and once you know it has reached, you can turn the water on fully. If none comes back, that direction is probably working.
In the interests of retaining credibility and in fairness to all, I cannot recommend prices, people nor companies for various projects. Courtesy of Ren Molnar, Construction Consultant at HomeFocus.com. I can also be reached at (613) 748-3003 and Home Focus – The Radio Show is broadcast live 8 to 10 A.M. (Ottawa, Ont. time) on Saturdays on www.cfra.com.
Remember, even if you don’t do your own work around the house have to hire someone, you put yourself at a great advantage when you can intelligently discuss a project with the various trades people.
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