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eoren1_gw

High water table - new sump? french drain? other advice?

eoren1
14 years ago

We recently purchased a 1940's colonial in Massachusetts. We have a kitchen and basement remodel planned/in the works. A few days ago, I learned that our neighborhood has a high water table and that most homes have sumps running all day. At least 3 houses on the next street over have had french drains installed with success at reducing the sump pump on time and resolving the occasional flooding issues.

We demo'ed the basement yesterday and it actually looks pretty good without effluorescence on the walls and minimal amounts on the floor. No evidence of mold or major water leakage on the wall panels that we took out (they have been there at least 40 years). The sump runs every 5 minutes because of a very stupid design - small bucket without holes. Basically, the water fills from the top and is emptied out but it never actually empties very much.

Current plan is to install twin sump pipes and larger buckets that have holes throughout.

The basement is going to be finished with 2 inches closed cell spray foam on the concrete walls and dricore on the cement floor.

Wondering if anyone thinks a french drain would help in this situation. We had planned on digging up most, if not all, the vegetation around the house anyway. Seems like a good excuse to dig a bit deeper and drop in a pipe and sand if that would help matters.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

E

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