I have learned many things after buying this house.
1. Expect the unexpected.
2. That home repair class in High School has paid it self off and then some.
3. When one crisis is finished, another one is sure to follow.
I came home the other day to hear the sound of running water. I saw a glimmer of water downstairs as well. Our infamous leak was back! This time I could see exactly where it was coming from though. It was leaking stronger than ever, I would guesstimate around 1-2 gallons per minute!
When the house was built, instead of using quick set concrete or mortar to seal the hole for the water line, caulking was used. After 33 years, it has given out.
So I quickly went to Menards and purchased some items, one of which being “Dry-Lok Fast Plug,” a quick setting cement. This stuff claimed to actually seal an active water leak, and it does!
After some trial and error, and much needed help from my “women,”the leak stopped. But solving that problem, only created a new one.
It rained cats and dogs the next day, and the leak was back, more than ever. There was no dripping sound, instead I found that water was “sweating” or coming directly through our concrete block foundation. This is caused by hydrostatic pressure that builds up next to the house.
This is just an assumption, but I believe there are insufficient drainage systems in place around the house. The rear of the home seems fine, and shows no signs of any water being there. The front is a different story though. I believe part of the problem lies in the topography immediately in front of the house.
But alas, it’s winter and no major excavation can be done. Which means the problem cannot be fixed at this moment. I hope my uncle Ted can help me out on this one.
So I guess until spring comes, we will have to deal with the problem.