General Waterproofing questions

[billylegend38]

3 waterproofing questions, please.

Background: I just bought my second home, a nicely-kept 1968 home in CT with a perimeter basement drain, new Zoeller cast iron sump pump and radon remediation system.

1) My biggest concern is that in times of heavy rain groundwater seeps in through the seam created by my sewer (septic) line exiting the foundation. I know that in the past the prior owner had this seam break open and had to have the concrete patched. I've tried to correct the grading outside (previously poor) and sealing the seam inside with Great Stuff, but still get the problem. What can I do? I was thinking about digging on the exterior of the foundation to expose the sewer line, and sealing the seam there with Great Stuff too, then filling the area below the piping with gravel to encourage the water to sink further. Any suggestions?

2) I also get seepage in my bulkhead where the hatchway meets the concrete. The hatchway is the original and is rusted badly in some spots on the sides, but oddly enough the majority of the seepage comes in via the front of the hatchway, where I cannot detect any cracks. I Great Stuffed it too, but no dice. What can I do here? Am I limited to replacing the hatchway and hoping for the best? The seepage rotted out the last set of bulkhead steps and will eventually do the same to my new steps should this problem go unchecked.

3) I run a dehumidifier, and tonight I tried to test my sump pump by pouring a small amount of water from the dehumidifier bucket (needed emptying) into one of the drains exposed on the perimeter drain system, thinking it would empty into my sump hole and be handled by the pump. The water never made it to the sump hole. Should I fear a clog, or is this normal with a small amount of water? I noticed that when installing my radon system the perimeter of the foundation was hollowed out and filled with gravel. Is this true for the entire perimeter? This might explain why the water didn't flow - it's quite possible I didn't have enough to force it to flow into the sump pit.

Thanks!
Bill

[pbwsteve]

1)Sewer lines can be a challenge. I would recommend that you have a professional seal this line and/or tie it to your existing drainage system. Contact a Basement Depot Accredited Contractor in CT check under the listings "Basement Waterproofing or Foundation Repair".

2) As far as your bulkhead. I recommend that a Trench Grate be installed across the inside of the bulkhead and tie it to your existing sub floor drainage system. Again the same BD Accredited Contractor could do this simple repair for you.

3) 1 bucket from a dehumidifier will not be enough if the water is down. By the way you should also tie in your dehumidifier (by a hose) to your sump pump. That way you would not have to empty it manually.

Thanks for visiting.