Sudden Contstant Flow of Water in Sump Pit

[Madpotter]

I have been in my home with basement for 7 years. The last 2 years, a lot that was formerly lower than mine was somewhat raised and built on. Since then, I have a constant, year round flow of water into my sump pit.

I recall the builders of that home saying they hit some bad soil or water when they were digging and therefore raised their house a good 3 feet higher than mine. There is a also a swale between the homes.

Anyways, I need to find a way to drain this new source of water so my sumps do not need to work all the time. I have no places to install a footer drain to daylight either.

Is it possible, that this is a perched water table that the builder next door disrupted and now finds its way into my basement first? If so, and we drill down with soil testing to discover this, could we simply drill through the perched water table, deeper down into the real water table, to drain the perched water table?

How does one figure out and solve a problem like this.

I look forward to all replies.

 

[CESSNA1]

MADPOTTER: I do not know from where the water is coming. I do not see how adding soil to raise the ground level will cause water in your basement, unless the builder did soemthing in addition to what he is saying. Was the swale put in by you or the builder next door? Is the swale properly sized and draing in the correct direction. Swales are usually put in for storm water. ASSUMING the water is coming from next door you could put in an underground drain pipe on your property to drain the water off the property. If it is is a perched table it will eventually stop, but when is the question? Before doing anything talk to the city engineer on what you can and cannot do. Some governments may balk at drilling through a perched water table and even draing a water table to the city street and storm drain system, even though your sump pump is doing it now. I have seen an environmental company drill through a contaminated perched water table and contaminate the water table underneath.

This could also result from a situation in another area that for some reason is inceasing the water flow. High rainfall could also raise the water table.

Good Luck
Dave
Good Luck
Dave

 

[Madpotter]

The builder next door says he hit some water 7.5 feet down when digging, hence he raised his house up high.

But I am in Indiana clay. Isn't that enough of a barrier between the homes.

Now the home next door is about 3.5 feet higher than mine, and his footer drains I would guess flow ground water down (or up if their is rising water under his foundation) through the gravel bedding around his sewer line, and down to the main sewer line. Then, I would guess this water travels down several feet further until it finds my sewer line. Since I am lower, with not a lot of fall for my sewer line (not horizontal but not a lot of fall), then couldn't this water, and all the water from the homes up the street, find my sewer line gravel bed as easy access into my basement drainage system?

Would this water be hard water?

 

[ctmtwilliams]

O.K., Now that I have read both of your threads (this and Watering travelling along sewer gravel fill into basement) and evaluated your two completely different scenarios, I believe that you have a simple case of shallow groundwater. The shallow water table has risen since you moved in seven years ago. In my opinion, a seven-year history for groundwater is almost insignificant. As I stated in the other thread: “Sufficient “new” housing upslope from you could be adding additional water from landscaping. Its not an uncommon problem.” Potential additional water from adjacent properties could be contributing to a natural rise in the shallow water table.

“Is it possible, that this is a perched water table that the builder next door disrupted and now finds its way into my basement first?”

It is unlikely that the addition of fill material to the adjacent property in anyway affects groundwater on your property.

“If so, and we drill down with soil testing to discover this, could we simply drill through the perched water table, deeper down into the real water table, to drain the perched water table?”

Being a Registered Geologist in the State of California, I must say that I have never heard of anyone being allowed to drill though an aquitard for the purpose of draining the overlaying aquifer (perched or otherwise). In fact, stiff penalties would be assessed to the professional who would allow this to occur.

Before you run out and start digging up your yard, I strongly suggest that you hire a local Geotechnical firm to give you a professional assessment of the situation.

 

[roncity]

Another possibility is that the new house has a waterleak , either in the water supply line, ( maybe even in the street in front of the meter ) or maybe in their sewer line .
If the flow is constant , year round, it's likely a water supply leak.
If the flow varys daily ( when the neighbors are on vacation? ) then it's a sewer leak...unless your area is on septic tanks..then the daily flow will even out...
track the actual times the pump runs for a month or so, record rainfall , and test the water....