muzikmaan9
Member
Nick here, new member. Just inquiring about the basement in my new house. I basically just want it decent enough to be able to store some things, play drums, and workout. Here's its' story:
About 400sq ft below grade 13ft ceiling, concrete floor, cinderblock walls, also with two connected smaller cemented in craw spaces higher up at/above grade.
Seems like a pretty dry basement. Previous owner mentioned seeing "a couple tiny puddles" over the years and just last May 2019 installed a french drain system w/sump pump. Previous owner drylok'd about half of the walls.
Fast forward to me moving in July 2019. From experience, seeing that every downspout aimed right at the foundation, one of the first things I did when I moved in was extend every spout 5ft. I noticed an area on the walls was discolored and the drylok chipping so I took a scraper and chipped off any loose parts. Some tiny spots had the cinder block deteriorating just a tad w/efflorescence, so I cleaned each spot out w/masonry cleaner than patched with hydraulic cement. The area in question is I believe the same area the main water source comes in to the house and feeds all areas including the sprinkler system.
I had an "expert" come check out the basement and tell me the walls with the discoloration and chipping will still have moisture problems only being able to be fully rectified by excavation from the outside and installing their own brand french drain/sump pump. My wife and I just moved in. I'm sorry but excavation of any sort is NOT an option, nor will it be for a long time. The "expert" than stated that I may be fine for years to come if I just get a dehumidifier and just keep an eye on the walls.
My question is the preservation of the foundation. I don't plan on finishing the room, but I also do not want to run into foundation issues in the future. Only thing I definitely want to do is use a penetrating sealer for the floor, than maybe a floor coating(epoxy?) so that I can do the things I want to do like workout, play drums, store some things etc... but what is in my best interest regarding the walls, if anything? If pictures are absolutely necessary, I'll try to upload.
Nick
About 400sq ft below grade 13ft ceiling, concrete floor, cinderblock walls, also with two connected smaller cemented in craw spaces higher up at/above grade.
Seems like a pretty dry basement. Previous owner mentioned seeing "a couple tiny puddles" over the years and just last May 2019 installed a french drain system w/sump pump. Previous owner drylok'd about half of the walls.
Fast forward to me moving in July 2019. From experience, seeing that every downspout aimed right at the foundation, one of the first things I did when I moved in was extend every spout 5ft. I noticed an area on the walls was discolored and the drylok chipping so I took a scraper and chipped off any loose parts. Some tiny spots had the cinder block deteriorating just a tad w/efflorescence, so I cleaned each spot out w/masonry cleaner than patched with hydraulic cement. The area in question is I believe the same area the main water source comes in to the house and feeds all areas including the sprinkler system.
I had an "expert" come check out the basement and tell me the walls with the discoloration and chipping will still have moisture problems only being able to be fully rectified by excavation from the outside and installing their own brand french drain/sump pump. My wife and I just moved in. I'm sorry but excavation of any sort is NOT an option, nor will it be for a long time. The "expert" than stated that I may be fine for years to come if I just get a dehumidifier and just keep an eye on the walls.
My question is the preservation of the foundation. I don't plan on finishing the room, but I also do not want to run into foundation issues in the future. Only thing I definitely want to do is use a penetrating sealer for the floor, than maybe a floor coating(epoxy?) so that I can do the things I want to do like workout, play drums, store some things etc... but what is in my best interest regarding the walls, if anything? If pictures are absolutely necessary, I'll try to upload.
Nick