Water engineer for basement water issues
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
We have had a few issues with water coming in where the addition to our house meets up with the original part of our house. We've met with a few foundation/water repair places to get estimates, but we're not completely confident in what they've recommended, as a couple seemed to be more pushy sales people than actual water or foundation engineers. Further, they've all recommended very different things at very different prices. Is there such a thing as an independent groundwater or water runoff engineer who can come look and recommend a solution? Any idea how to go about finding one?
Alternatively, if you've worked with a company that you liked and who really did fix the problem, can you recommend them? So far we've met with S&S (the least pushy, btw), JES (the most pushy/sales-y), and NV. They might be great, but all have mixed reviews. I'm sure all companies have mixed reviews, but it still gives us pause when we're talking about spending thousands and don't want to have to do this again in the future. Thanks. |
Anonymous
| None are particularly trust worthy. Is the addition that you have common in your neighborhood? If so, talk to people with the same addition because they've likely had the same issue |
Anonymous
| JES are complete scam artists. Do not use them and believe the horrible reviews online. Call Mer Waterproofing in Lorton. They used to be Mer/Morrison and have been around since the 70s. They are old school pen and paper but they will get it done. If they can't, no one can. |
Anonymous
| I didn't have the same issue as you, but I went with a local contractor over the JES non sense. Very glad that I did because there were more issues discovered and the contractor was able to fix at a reasonable rate. JES made it very clear their workshops was very limited. |
Anonymous
One more recommendation - call Paul Davis of Suburban VA in Manassas. They don't do this type of work (mostly insurance remediation and restoration) that said they will know reputable contractors that do. |
Anonymous
|
The basement waterproofing business is full of charlatans. You don't want anyone who does a lot of marketing, if they wear a uniform or drive a truck with fancy logos steer clear.
The problem is that rainwater is running down the foundation and finding cracks to get in. The solution is first to keep that water away from the foundation in the first place, and then to give it a place to go where it can be disposed of safely. The exact details depend upon the site and how it was built. But if someone starts talking about "groundwater" or "water table" or similar mumbo-jumbo, cross them off your list. |
Anonymous
| Is it seeping all the time, or is it rain related? |
Anonymous
I can't say for sure. We've only noticed the problem after a big rain, but I don't know enough to know if there might always be a little level of seeping. |
Anonymous
Do your homework before you get someone to sell you a solution you don't necessarily need. Remember, their job is to sell to you first, then to solve your problem second. Lots of people get stuck with just the first part. So: Look to see where rain flows when it rains hard - grab your umbrella and walk around in it. (Not during a thunderstorm, though.) Look for anything flowing towards the house or ponding next to it. Your yard should slope away from your foundation for 8 or 10 feet. Make sure gutters and downspouts are freeflowing - especially important if you have minimal or no eaves. Have downspouts drain well away from your house, especially on the uphill side if you're on a slope. You can use a host to test. You want to be sure it's easier for water to go around your house than into it. |
Anonymous
| Gah: hose, not host. Sorry. |
Anonymous
If you've only noticed the problem since putting on an addition I'd say it's almost certainly rainwater. It's almost always rainwater anyway, but it's extremely common that new construction disrupts the flow of rainwater and causes issues. |
Anonymous
The water in my neighborhood literally pushes up out of cracks in the street. Groundwater is a real thing. I have no idea if OP has this problem but in our local soil and geology you may have basement water problems even if you clear all the water from your roof and around your house. There may be other parts of the country or even spots locally where redirecting surface water is all you have to do. But the poster who keeps insisting this is always true is wrong! And no, I don’t sell basement waterproofing. |
Anonymous
| Make sure the grading of the soil is done correctly in the new addition. |
Anonymous
|
I would hire a Civil Engineer who is a licensed PE in your state. All PE firms will have at least 1 civil engineer who is a licensed PE. Have them evaluate and write up (a) findings and (b) recommended actions/options.
The key is to get the evaluation and advice from a PE who does not work for a contractor, repair firm, or mitigation firm. Hire one from a PE or A&E firm. |
Anonymous
| We had an awful experience with a big GC. 2 of our neighbors used Desert Dry and rave about them and have had no issues. We’re in Alexandria and I think they are maybe in Springfield? |