Basement floods due to surrounding wetlands? French Drains?

Question

There is a house I looked at but the basement floods due to the surrounding wetlands...

does anyone know anything about the COST of French Drains?

Or any other SOLUTIONS for the problem?

The house was built in 2004 and it is perfect condition and everything I want (besides the flooding basement). Thanks for all your help and any suggestions!

Answer 1

Alton is on the right track here. The other posts are fear-mongering. I would look at the house with an open mind if it is suited to your tastes with a good home inspection done. I would make the offer contingent upon the drainage issues being taken care of and having competent contractors do the work. In addition to this I may have some money put into escrow that you have a right to draw on for a year to repair anything with drainage and water that may happen. The seller obviously knows about the water and will be receptive to any reasonable offer and contingencies. Good luck!

Answer 2

I say install a diving board, might as well get the best out of it!

Answer 3

The best solution to this problem is to have a Home Inspection performed after making an offer on the home. Have the inspector pay special attention to grading and drainage issues. The inspector may also advise you to hire a drainage contractor or an engineer to advise you on what steps would need to be taken. In all likelihood it isn't so much the location of the home in proximity to the wetlands as poor construction practices when the home was constructed. Having an inspection done will give you a way to back out of the deal or at least adjust the selling price of the home.

Answer 4

If someone built a house with a basement, in wetlands, you really don't want that house.

The next question you'll post will be something like, "how do I keep my house from sinking"?

Or, "my house is leaning, what can........"

Or, "I have this huge crack........."

Answer 5

UGLY situation!   You are going to have to dig out to below the foundation level and install gravel/drains to a sump! Then you are going to have to cut the basement floor and install french drains all over the place all leading into a sump with serious pump...but this is the tip of the iceberg! IF you have water like this coming in the basement, there is NO reason to believe that you are not in a situation where dirt is being washed away from the foundation, and the house might very well be unstable! I wouldn't touch this place with your money, let alone mine! IF the dirt washes out from under the foundation, guess what happens....you got it, the house sinks, but unevenly, so cracks begin to show up all over the place. It could well be that NOTHING can be done to stablize this place....stay away, run, do not walk, to the nearest "other house" that is dry. It is more than probably that this house should never have been built where it is. I hope you listen, for I have seen this before....good luck, Goldwing

Answer 6

If the basement has been flooded then there are probably many more problems like mold that you will have to deal with. Find another house!