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Hi jmc Actually, a typical home would need both the french drain and the sump pump. The french drain's job is to collect the ground water around the foundation, thus relieving the hydrostatic pressure and keeping that water from making into the basement. The problem is that, french drains are...

Hi Inspector D, I did mistakenly post the 2001 (yeah, I need better glasses) link but these reports are published annually and there is a 2011 version as well. I completely understand your concern about posted links. Last thing we want here are spammers, but I assure you I have no...

Remodeling Magazine's 2001 Cost vs. Value Report can help you calculate that. It gives you an idea of the average cost for some of the main improvements, and how much you can expect to get in added value to the property, nationwide and per region/state. Remodeling Magazine: Home...

Here's one more thing for you to look into. The moisture in your attic might be due to humid air from the conditioned area and your basement (or crawl space), leaking into the attic due to the "stack effect". Since you are going through all this expense to optimize the attic, I suggest...

Even if you plan to sell the house "as is" it is a good idea to get a professional written estimate. For a number of reasons: - As InspectorD said, you will have to disclose it and if you do not you will be liable for any damages incurred for failure to disclose. - It would be very hard...

I agree with InspectorD. It does look like you have sinking slab problem, which is unfortunate, specially since you've only owned the home for 3 years! But you shouldn't be alarmed at this point. It can be fixed, and the sooner you do it. the less expensive it will be. Foundation settlement...

The problem with the drain tile configuration you have is that it will rely on gravity to discharge the collected water into the storm sewer system, if the pitch isn't just right towards storm drain, water accumulates in the pipe and finds it is way into the basement all over again. I also...

According to the US Center for Disease Control, if the carpet was wet for more that 48 hours, it should be removed and discarded, because of mold concerns. In other words, that is how long it takes for mold to begin to grow. Therefore the foul smell and the spots may be due to mold. If you have...

Hello Blue... A friend of mine wrote this nice book on Foundation Repair which she made available online and for free. It has a lot of useful information about types of soil, common causes of foundation problems as well some of the technologies available to fix them. It is written in an...

According to the EPA and the Center for Disease control, there is no safe or effective way to remove mold from porous and organic materials. These need to be taken down and discarded. You will probably need to replace the vanity or at least the part of it that is now moldy. I'd consider getting...

I agree... seal the concrete as best as you can and count on having to reseal it every once in a while. Brick is extremely porous and soaks water like a sponge. The problem with it is that, in the bathroom the wall doesn't get a lot of chance to completely dry out in between showers and with...

I am thinking a sectional that you can bring down piece by piece, or something you can bring in boxed and then assemble yourself in the basement, like some Ikea modular furniture. Did you check your local building and fire codes? I ask because some building pr fire codes demand that you...

As always, InspectorD is right on the money :) You really need to do your homework and get a couple more opinions, specially when it comes to foundation issues. However, since you are eager for more info, let me recommend this: A colleague in the industry recently published a book about...

Does it leak all around the perimeter of the basement or just in one spot? Basement leaks like the one you describe are caused by an over saturated soil around the foundation. That soil which was once dug for the basement to be built and then back filled is not as hard packed as the...

Hi Steve.. Some building codes in US still insist in recommending crawl space vents, and that might be the case in TN, which is why you see the new homes being built that way. Some codes actually forbid closed vents. However, slowly, things are changing. Many codes now allow for closed...

Alternatively, you can have a new drain tile installed inside your basement, along the the perimeter of your basement walls. It works just like the external drain tiles, collecting the water and diverting it to a sump pump. With the advantage that they can be installed without digging out the...

Most basement finishing systems are usually sold and installed by manufacturer's dealership network. Hardware stores, however, carry some brands of basement wall systems and they carry generic flooring options that are waterproof. Go for floating and interlocking options rather than anything...

It doesn't seem to me that the article is discussing drainage and de-watering systems but finishing systems, and pointing out that basements are prone to moisture from a number of sources, including infiltration from the back fill and that for that reason, homeowners should avoid using organic...

The grading and extending the water spouts will definitely help. The main cause of basement leak is an over saturated backfill. That soil around the foundation, which was dug out so that hey could build the walls and then back filled is more loose than the hard packed unexcavated portion. It is...

Here's my advice. 1- Avoid using the wood frame, fiberglass, drywall combo in the basement, unless you love remodeling and would like to refinish your basement several times over the years.(and don't mind living with a foul smelling basement in between remodels). Even the driest basement has...