Huge deal breaker. We just spent 18k to waterproof our basement with the French drain and all and then had to fix all the drywall and floor they ripped up. If you do go forward you need to get a real deal on the house so you can waterproof.

Do you know any company can fix this problem in Fairfax county ? i talked with waterproofing company & they could not help us. I am so afraid of the big rain. Thanks

Move on, OP. If you buy that place you could be in for years of trying to figure out how the water is getting in, attempting fixes and more fixes, and living in fear of big rains.

We had a very flood-prone basement, but were able to fix it with new gutters, re-grading the back yard, drain cleaning, and a clever leaf trap of DH's own devising. Sometimes in these big storms, a lot of leaves come down and block off where the water is supposed to drain.

If you like the property, investigate more.

Sorry, I would consider this a huge deal breaker. You have no idea what is causing the water in the basement - high water table, grading, foundation crack etc. It will happen again and it will cost thousands to fix because finding the actually leak is very hard to do.

- Signed a homeower with water in the basement and a brand new french drain system.

If you plan to ever finish the basement consider it a HUGE deal

We have had historic levels of rain recently. Investigate more but not a deal breaker.

Anonymous wrote:You need to regrade the exterior and possibility dig up the foundation to seal. it is a BIG no no, there should never be water or even dampness in your basement.

It's not necessarily a big deal. If it is happening when it hasn't rained, then it may be ground water which is a big deal and requires a sump pump. But if it happens after rain storms it may just mean that the rain gutter need to be cleaned or adjusted. We had water in our house'so basement after it rained the very first day after we moved in (my wife gave me an earful about that), but fixing the gutters seemed to take care of the problem.

It wasn't a massive amount of water, and was in a corner of the basement. Hopefully there's some factor to explain it (condensation?) it's a relatively new home

As said above, if the grade is toward the house or flat and the foundation is cinderblock, water can enter. How old is this home? Is there external weeping tile (pvc piping along foundation footers leading to sump pump?

Grade should be 6 inch drop every 10 feet from foundation. No plants within 24 to 36 inches of foundation. No tree branches over roof. Roof in good repair. Gutters and downspouts in good shape with extensions 10 to 15 feet away from house down grade.

Water is getting through foundation. That is a bad sign unless there is some obvious factor to explain it.

Sorry no has should be damp or have water in the basement.

With all the rain we've been having, I wouldn't be surprised if you did see some (a little) water. I would look into it, but it should be a "show stopper."

Anonymous wrote:You need to regrade the exterior and possibility dig up the foundation to seal. it is a BIG no no, there should never be water or even dampness in your basement.

Most basements do have dampness. But water is a show stopper.

You need to regrade the exterior and possibility dig up the foundation to seal. it is a BIG no no, there should never be water or even dampness in your basement.

Went to view a home a few days ago just after that huge downpour and noticed some water in the corner of the unfinished basement. Is this a big Nono? What could potentially be the cause of this? Thanks for any input.