When water has no place to go

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Every building has variations of these solvable problems. Obviously, it’s ideal to simply prevent them. Avoid cutting into the floor slabs to create hidden trenches, called French drains, because every other cause should be eliminated first. Giving up and accepting water into your home just to pump it out is a waste and only a last resort. Remember, we live above the water table, an underground lake stretching from coast to coast. Pumping water out from under your house is like trying to empty an ocean. If you do it, consider that you’re doing it for your whole neighborhood, at your expense. Plug the hole and monitor other areas first.

© 2013 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd.,Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper,architect.

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