Flooded basement

[Taken]

Oh yipes…sucking up water in a wet vac, then the struggle to dump down a drain…

I would guess the engineer who sits in an office, handed a “new EPA CODE” for a basement emergency escape (without a walk-out door design) thought putting a barrier wall for dirt AGAINST an in ground wall and glass window would be a “brilliant” idea to satisfy the EPA…without consideration of the nightmare of the homeowner.

Personally, I would construct a temporary brace from 2X4” covering the well and angled away from the house and attach/ cover with plywood, tin, or whatever would deflect the water away from entering the well.
Yes, the light the window allows in would be obstructed…but then these days we have electricity and flash lights for emergencies.

Curious what the “contractor’s” digging solution suggestion will be.

And remember, any wood, drywall, carpet padding, not visible, behind trim or whatever that was saturated, will begin another issue of growing spores of mold and mildew that will go unnoticed for some time.

Sorry for your dilemma.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[mailmandan]

Oh yipes…sucking up water in a wet vac, then the struggle to dump down a drain…

I would guess the engineer who sits in an office, handed a “new EPA CODE” for a basement emergency escape (without a walk-out door design) thought putting a barrier wall for dirt AGAINST an in ground wall and glass window would be a “brilliant” idea to satisfy the EPA…without consideration of the nightmare of the homeowner.

Personally, I would construct a temporary brace from 2X4” covering the well and angled away from the house and attach/ cover with plywood, tin, or whatever would deflect the water away from entering the well.
Yes, the light the window allows in would be obstructed…but then these days we have electricity and flash lights for emergencies.

Curious what the “contractor’s” digging solution suggestion will be.

And remember, any wood, drywall, carpet padding, not visible, behind trim or whatever that was saturated, will begin another issue of growing spores of mold and mildew that will go unnoticed for some time.

Sorry for your dilemma.

Glory to God,
Taken

I have two homemade covers made of 2x4's and chicken wire to prevent the grandkids from falling in. I wrapped them both in clear waterproof plastic and it does slow down the amount of water that runs into the window well but water still finds a way. Until that well is dug out with proper drainage installed I will have to deal with water coming in. The ground is just too saturated right now from the multiple storms.

 

[Taken]

I have two homemade covers made of 2x4's and chicken wire to prevent the grandkids from falling in. I wrapped them both in clear waterproof plastic and it does slow down the amount of water that runs into the window well but water still finds a way. Until that well is dug out with proper drainage installed I will have to deal with water coming in. The ground is just too saturated right now from the multiple storms.

I wondered about the potential issue of kids or critters falling in the well. I also would suspect plastic covering chicken wire would be a flimsy guard to deflect a heavy downpour.

Agree the saturation is going to be a challenge. We have a mix of sandy loam, clay, and plain old dirt…Exposed sand washes away, the clay is gooey, may dry hard, then cave to open pockets below…. and dirt tries to absorb. We have hilly property, thus do have particular spaces that are regularly tended for redirecting water effects of heavy rains/storms.

Please keep an update for your contractors solution. Again, hope it is not a break the bank solution. ;-)

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[mailmandan]

I wondered about the potential issue of kids or critters falling in the well. I also would suspect plastic covering chicken wire would be a flimsy guard to deflect a heavy downpour.

Agree the saturation is going to be a challenge. We have a mix of sandy loam, clay, and plain old dirt…Exposed sand washes away, the clay is gooey, may dry hard, then cave to open pockets below…. and dirt tries to absorb. We have hilly property, thus do have particular spaces that are regularly tended for redirecting water effects of heavy rains/storms.

Please keep an update for your contractors solution. Again, hope it is not a break the bank solution. ;-)

Glory to God,
Taken

The plastic covered homemade covers are surrounded by sand bags so although helpful not a permanent fix. They do prevent direct rain from coming in through the main opening. The backyard slightly slopes towards the back of the house and water though limited will still find a way in until better drainage is established.

 

[mailmandan]

Here we go again folks. Rain throughout the night again and most of the day tomorrow. Help me Lord Jesus.

 

[GTW27]

Here we go again folks. Rain throughout the night again and most of the day tomorrow. Help me Lord Jesus.

Blessings in Christ Jesus mailmandan. I am sorry to hear of this flooding. I said a prayer in agreement with you. When the rain stops and the water reseeds it is easy to put off getting the proper draining work done. I live in old mobile home on a hill. I know because of calling, these storms in this country will be getting worse and worse. I have had thunderstorms here (Western PA) that have been dropping tornados. A prayer of faith The Lord hears and He is faithful to help. My prayer when it is at it's worse is "Lord have mercy" over and over. It is then the storm splits, or goes another direction, or disolves. He is truly amazing. When the money comes a little underground shelter will be built with the proper drainage and ventilation. I am not a prepper but The Lord prepares me for the things to come. And these things are coming.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Here we go again folks. Rain throughout the night again and most of the day tomorrow. Help me Lord Jesus.

Praying Brother

 

[mailmandan]

From 3-4 am it's go time! Shop Vac is ready.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

From 3-4 am it's go time! Shop Vac is ready.

View attachment 47252

Wow.. do you have a sump pump?

 

[mailmandan]

Wow.. do you have a sump pump?

Yes. It works fine. We just had too much rain in a short period of time. Poor drainage in the egress window wells was the problem. Will get that fixed if it ever stops raining!

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Yes. It works fine. We just had too much rain in a short period of time. Poor drainage in the egress window wells was the problem. Will get that fixed if it ever stops raining!

Crazy year.. Hope you get a break soon bro

 

[mailmandan]

I spent the last 2 hours filling up a 10 gallon shop vac and dumping the water into a bathtub.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

Is it still raining?

 

[mailmandan]

Is it still raining?

No. It stopped around 6:30. I just woke up from a 2 hour nap. I can't sleep for very long. Too paranoid about rain.

 

[mailmandan]

Rain has been taken out of the forecast for the rest of the day. Thank God!

 

[mailmandan]

The next chance of rain here will be Sunday. Please pray we can find someone to dig out our egress window well and place proper drainage in it before then or at least that the rain will be minimal and not flood the well until we can find someone.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

The next chance of rain here will be Sunday. Please pray we can find someone to dig out our egress window well and place proper drainage in it before then or at least that the rain will be minimal and not flood the well until we can find someone.

Consider it done bro

 

[APAK]

The next chance of rain here will be Sunday. Please pray we can find someone to dig out our egress window well and place proper drainage in it before then or at least that the rain will be minimal and not flood the well until we can find someone.

If someone is going to dig out the egress well, I hope they then take the extra time to open up and dig further out around the outside the well to ensure sufficient gravel is laid, and to place a 2 inch perforated pipe there if not already installed; all sloped down and out, AWAY from the foundation...

I would do it if I was there....it just takes some time if only one person is working at it...

 

[mailmandan]

If someone is going to dig out the egress well, I hope they then take the extra time to open up and dig further out around the outside the well to ensure sufficient gravel is laid, and to place a 2 inch perforated pipe there if not already installed; all sloped down and out, AWAY from the foundation...

I would do it if I was there....it just takes some time if only one person is working at it...

Is it dug out by hand? I heard the gravel and dirt in the well is typically around 19" deep. I know one company who has done great work for a friend in regard to egress window drainage and drains in the yard, adding dirt around the foundation etc.. but they are booked up for 2 weeks.

 

[Taken]

Is it dug out by hand? I heard the gravel and dirt in the well is typically around 19" deep. I know one company who has done great work for a friend in regard to egress window drainage and drains in the yard, adding dirt around the foundation etc.. but they are booked up for 2 weeks.

If their regular schedule is M-F, you might consider offering a cash bonus if they would be willing to work for you on a week-end. ??
If you consider asking, I would suggest to ask to speak to the owner directly, not the secretary.

Glory to God,
Taken