Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:56 pm
Hi, I have a problem with water getting into my solum when it rains. Soil is clay in the street and other houses have the same problem. On heavy raining it now rises to 2 inches in depth, maybe a bit more.
Home report advised to get plastic sheeting laid with sand in the solum to deal with dampness. Unknown to us water was coming in at a depth of 9 inches at worst.
Water pooled in the garden. We got a local business to put in drainage with a soak away. This has as good as solved that problem. Also reduced the water depth in the solum to about 3ins.
We got the sheeting down with the sand by another local firm. Was promised 2ins of sand. They must have run out as never seen it spread so thinly. Don’t believe it made any difference to water getting in. Just stops the water getting out.
We were also advised by local firms to get a sump pump or seal the area completely. Also advised to get vents to remove dampness forming on joists. Don't want a sump pump as there is always the upkeep. Was told sealing would be over the top as area will never be used as a room.
I read about French drains and decided to put one around the back of the house as clay was not at the depth where water collected. Clay is higher up. First time of heavy rain water came in. The water disappeared the next day. Thought this had resolved problem. Next time the water came and stayed for 4/5 days after rain stopped.
Dilemma is how to stop the 2/3 inches of water getting in. Should I remove the plastic sheeting? Could the sheeting be stopping water getting in and make it worse by removing? Thought about raising solum approx 2 inches about water level with hardcore. Thought about GEO-materials and sealing completely. Know I need vents and they will be installed. Water is clean and only comes in after raining. Solum has layer of perforated concrete. House built mid 1960s. From under joists to concrete layer is about 3ft.
Anyone got good ideas? Have I missed the obvious? Are there other options?
Home report advised to get plastic sheeting laid with sand in the solum to deal with dampness. Unknown to us water was coming in at a depth of 9 inches at worst.
Water pooled in the garden. We got a local business to put in drainage with a soak away. This has as good as solved that problem. Also reduced the water depth in the solum to about 3ins.
We got the sheeting down with the sand by another local firm. Was promised 2ins of sand. They must have run out as never seen it spread so thinly. Don’t believe it made any difference to water getting in. Just stops the water getting out.
We were also advised by local firms to get a sump pump or seal the area completely. Also advised to get vents to remove dampness forming on joists. Don't want a sump pump as there is always the upkeep. Was told sealing would be over the top as area will never be used as a room.
I read about French drains and decided to put one around the back of the house as clay was not at the depth where water collected. Clay is higher up. First time of heavy rain water came in. The water disappeared the next day. Thought this had resolved problem. Next time the water came and stayed for 4/5 days after rain stopped.
Dilemma is how to stop the 2/3 inches of water getting in. Should I remove the plastic sheeting? Could the sheeting be stopping water getting in and make it worse by removing? Thought about raising solum approx 2 inches about water level with hardcore. Thought about GEO-materials and sealing completely. Know I need vents and they will be installed. Water is clean and only comes in after raining. Solum has layer of perforated concrete. House built mid 1960s. From under joists to concrete layer is about 3ft.
Anyone got good ideas? Have I missed the obvious? Are there other options?