Water seepage in the basement

[OnTheBrink]

We've had, in the last week, 13 inches of snow and I don't know how many inches, but it poured rain all day yesterday. This morning, I noticed water in the basement and it appears to have come from the floor, as opposed to seeping in at the walls. Other than shop-vac the water out, what can I do about this? My house is old and there is no sump-pump. Can I have one installed?

[Amy in NH]

The only thing I know about sump pumps is due to having a stone foundation and dirt floor in which we are currently installing a vapor barrier in anticipation of pouring a pad in the future. I believe they require a french drain which is a trench dug all the way around the inside of the foundation, then filled with perforated PVC and pea stone/gravel. There should also be appropriate drainage (gravel) under your foundation to drain the extra water into the drain, which is sloped to the pump which is sunk in a hole in one corner.

Our property is in between a natural spring (think people filling jugs and bottles with water from a rusty pipe sticking out of the side of the hill at all hours of the day and night) and a river. We haven't been here for a springtime yet, but I'm anticipating some amount of water in the basement. :rolleyes:

[TRILLIUM]

Look at the grading around your house. Are all your drainspouts leading the water well away from your house. Sometime some simple changes can help.

[OnTheBrink]

One does, one doesn't! I'll have to get an extender for the one that doesn't.

Thanks!