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ANSWER:

To work properly, drainage systems of all types need to be kept free and clear so that water from sudden downpours or spring snow melts can flow through and away freely. Before exploring new options I would first check to see if your 10-year-old system is clogged with leaves or other debris. Something as simple as a blockage in the pipe would allow water to build up in your backyard and make its way into your basement. You could start by trying to flush out the system with a garden hose. If this doesn’t work and the water doesn’t drain away, you may need to call in a professional drain company to clear it.

A second thing to check is the grading of the ground around the foundation of your home. The landscaping and walkways should slope away from the house so that water is directed away from your foundation. The same goes for downspouts that carry water from your roof Since you’re at the bottom of a hill and get water run-off from the neighbors above, the soil or planting beds may have been eroded over the years, allowing water to pool around the foundation and eventually leak into the basement. Maintaining a proper slope away from your foundation is a simple yet significant part of keeping your basement dry.

If the above doesn’t address your flooding issue, there are many great foundation waterproofing and drainage options now on the market. They all involve excavating around the outside of the foundation, applying a waterproofing membrane and weeping tile pipe to keep the water from building up to the level of your basement floor. A key component of all of these systems is that the water that’s collected must have somewhere to go – other than your basement – whether that is to a storm sewer or sump pit. Contact a reputable foundation waterproofing company in your area to determine the options for your specific situation, easy to find in the Home Renovation Guide’s basement directory.

Expert's Bio

Charles Bull manages a design build construction company in Toronto, Canada, spending his days looking into everything from permits to the latest green building methods. With more than 15 years of experience in residential real estate, construction and renovation under his belt, Charles knows the answers to your home renovation queries — or will find them out if he doesn’t!