When it rains, it pours.....

[Tinkerin_wit_tools]

I live in the northwest Georgia area and as you know, there has been quite the rainstorm the past few days. While going down into my basement, I heard the sump pump making one heck of a racket, something I have never heard since I moved into my home a few years ago. Upon further investigation, another area of my basement had a small flood.
There are a few areas outside my home where water just sits until it dissapates a few days after it rains, and I assume that this is where it came from. As I followed the noise of streaming water, I saw a crack on the inside of my foundation that was the culprit and although it wasn't huge, it was a steady stream of water coming in causing a puddle to form in the unfinished area of the basement. Earlier this year, I purchased a pressure washer so I can strip the paint from the outside and re-apply a fresh coat of water blok to the outside to prevent just such an occurance. But I was too late. There are portions of the outside that are peeling off and I was going to wait until spring to accomplish this. I just figure that I will just weather the storm for the next few months until then and start my project. Is there anyone that can recommend a patch for concrete? I assume that I will have to dig a few inches below ground level when I was going to start my project anyway, so it won't be a big deal for that, anyway. Since I am a simple man that never had a home before, I am just learning it as I go. Any input or recommendations are appreciated.....

[HayZee518]

if you want to correct water infiltration through your foundation you'll have to dig more than just a few inches. water always seeks its own level. before you built your house the ground was able to pass water down and down. but when you built your house you put an obstacle in this path. so now you need to circumvent this water passage by means of a drain tile and a foundation seal. the house footing is 8 ft or more below grade, the foundation is "keyed" into the footing but there's always this miniscule space between the foundation and footing. asphalt paint is supposed to seal this area but doesn't always do it. a spray on rubber sealant is better - it doesn't break down as asphalt paint does.

[thedcdude]

Before doing any foundation work, I would try to fix the drainage problems in your yard. Are the puddles outside coming from roof drainage? Is your yard sloped toward the foundation? It's very important to stop water from collecting around your foundation. Even if you fix the cracks, it still may not keep the water out. Landscaping and gutter extension is usually cheaper and easier then waterproofing basement walls.

[Tinkerin_wit_tools]

You know, I thought about that. The gutters seem fine, and they do have a protection screen going from underneath the roof shingle and overlaps the end of the gutters. I think that would be fine and free of clogs. My land is uneven and I am sure that I can easily fix that where dirt is concerned, but there are some areas that are poured concrete walkways that go to the back door. Those are some of the areas where puddles accumulate when it rains and without calling a masonry contractor to even them out, I don't know what else I could do when it comes to that.
Essentially, you are saying that I need to start looking from top of the house then work my way down. That makes sense. Thank you, but when I get down there, is there still anything I can do to patch the concrete blocks?

[thedcdude]

I would try to see where the pooling water is coming from. Unfortunately, you will have to wait for the next hard rain and go out in it. See where the water from your downspouts goes. Does the water in the yard tend to stream and flow in any direction. The water that falls straight down on your walkway is probably not significant. It's the water that falls on the surface of your whole yard and then flows to one spot that does the damage. As well as all the water that falls on your roof and flows through your downspouts. The area of your roof could be several hundred square feet. All of this water is directed to 2 or three downspouts to pool in areas that may only be a few square feet. Extend your downspouts as far from the house as practicle. For water in your yard that flows toward the house, build a berm or drainage ditch to divert it.