I have several inter-related questions re: my home in Windsor, Ontario. I have a 35-40 yr old 3 level side split house, purchased 14 years ago. At the time, there were signs of previous water in 3rd level at front of house (i.e. water marks 1/4 - 3/4 " high along bottom edge of paneling, and water marks between vinyl floor tiles. Over the years I added earth outside & disconnected the downspout, which went directly into the ground at that corner, which resulted in improvement. Now 1 or 2 times/year there will be a bit of water oozing up between the floor tiles when there are very heavy rains, but only about 2' in diagonally from the corner (previous marks are 6 to 8' along the walls). The walls are paneled, with no insulation, there is a vapor barrier, and there is efflorescence at the very bottom row of cement blocks under the panel and in the other room at the back of the house. At backside of house, same end as above water problem, there is a below grade entrance, 5 steps down to door. The sidewalk leadin to the steps is parallel to house and slopes in to meet it, and where it meets, the sidewalk is 1 1/2 to 2" below the top step (large crack between sidewalk and step). Inside wall opposite is unfinished and twice in 14 years there has been a bit of water between the floor tiles a few feet in from the wall area, about 1 foot wide. As with other areas, there has been efflorescence on the bottom row of blocks since I purchased the home (no worse now). Outside the house, as you go down those steps to the below grade entrance (the house is on your left and block wall on your right and in front) several of those blocks on the wall to the right are pushing out. At the front corner, do I need to/should I be addressing the water issue. Am thinking of fixing up the room. When first bought house had received quote to dig up inside, but the problem is not as bad now. I had conflicting opinions about the approach so did nothing. At the back, I know I need to fix the sidewalk slope and block wall. Is that enough, or should I do/need to do something more extensive, e.g. digging up the foundation to address water issue? If I need to dig up the foundation, should I do the entire house i.e. sides? The other half of the house is over a finished crawl space, which has not had a problem, and also abuts a cement drive, patio, gardens, etc. The rooms discussed above actually only cover half of the ground area (i.e. half the width and full depth of the house).
Answer:
A 14 yr. old concrete block wall that leaks is best excavated all the way around. At that point, a number of things can be done. First, you have to find some way of getting water away from underneath the concrete slab floor so it stops going there because as long as it does, it will keep coming up through the cracks that have catered to it in the past. Second, repairs should be done to the blocks. Third, an impermeable sheet needs to be applied to the walls all the way around to make sure water can no longer get through them. Rather than 4" drainage tile, I'd be tempted to move up to 6" with the sock on it and at least 24" inches of crushed stone over it before back filling. The grade, when back filled, should slope at least ten inches in the first five feet so that when it settles after the first winter, it will still be about half that.
