Water seepage through foundation and possible causes.

9 years ago

I read through some other articles but wanted to post and get some feedback regarding my personal situation. For the past 10+ years I would get seepage through my foundation whenever it would rain hard for a few hrs straight or steadily for a couple days. It's never really been a huge issue so I have dealt with it with a shop vac . Maybe 30 -50 gal on a bad storm. The seepage occurs right below where my main sewer line exits the house. The 2nd issue here is that I have a root issue as well so twice a year I snake the main sewer line and use rootx foam as a preventative measure. Today I actually did the maintenance and was surprised to see no roots at all. I usually pull a good amount out. Due to my home being at the end of a down sloping hill and last house on city sewer line I've had the city sewer back up into my home. The city has told me to call up every 6 months when I do my cleanout and they come and flush the line in the street. So my cleaning went without issues today but about 6 hrs later I noticed water seaping through the wall. No rain at all. Hasn't rained for days. Water was clear and not smelly. Called my plumber and he can't make it until tomorrow evening. I opened the sewer line trap to make sure it wasn't backed up and it's flowing fine. So my question is can my main sewer line be busted or is it ground water? And if so where would it be coming from if it hasn't rained. Another thing I don't understand is the curved pipe. What can it be? I have noticed it before but never questioned it. You can sort of see in the first pic 2 wet spots one on each side of pipe where water is coming in. My plumber asked me to turn all faucets off and see if I heard running water . His concern being that my water main was busted but if so my basement would be flooded . The 2nd picture posted shows the shut off valve for my sprinkler system which I have not turned on yet for the season. Can that have anything to do with it. Sorry for the long post but wanted fo see if anybody had any feedback .

Thanks

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Comments (2)

Vith
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I would say the curved pipe (copper which was painted) is the source of the water problem, considering the mold buildup there. What the curved pipe does, requires more details from you. My first guess is there is an unsealed sump pump below considering the hole in the floor. Your basement probably has a lot of humidity and possibly mold issues with an unsealed sump pump like that.

No clue where the pipe goes, but if you dont know anything about it and if it is a sump pump, the pump may have failed which means its not keeping water away from your foundation. If I was you I would want to know where the pipe goes beyond the wall, it is a very odd looking installation.

If its not a sump pump, maybe its a water run to a garden faucet or something. I still think its the source of the the problem either way considering the mold around it.

Also, get someone to install a backflow preventer into your main sewer line so you dont get sewage backup in the future.
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Peter Hatzakos
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for the response.

I don't have a perimeter foundation sump pit. My house is odd. Due to the house being on a hill I have a split level basement. So you come down about 12 steps from first level and the bathroom where the main sewer line is located is inside a utility closet that never gets any ventilation. Then below that is the main basement which is technically above ground still with full size windows. Beneath the bathroom or the area I have shown in the pictures I have a large above ground sump with a sewer ejector pump inside for the bathroom in order to pump the waste out up to the main sewer line. It's a sealed sump. The water meter and shut off valve is located there. I do agree that the basement suffers from humidity issues. No real ventilation down there so I should run a constant humidifier.

I have my plumber coming today and will further investigate what the curved pipe is and how to rectify the situation. Their is no garden faucet located on the other side unless it's old and buried under the deck that was installed prior to me purchasing the home.

The water did stop last night and wall is totally dry today so very strange.

Room Below main sewer line and bent pipe showing water dripping down wall. Main shut off valve and partial view of sump cover.

Plumber came by and said that curved pipe is my water main. Wants me to have front section infront of pipe digged up to see what's going on.
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Water seepage through foundation and possible causes.

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Vith

Peter Hatzakos
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Water seepage through foundation and possible causes.

Comments (2)

Vith

Peter HatzakosOriginal Author

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Peter Hatzakos
Original Author