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Current planing on finishing the basement in my house and I

 

Customer Question

Current planing on finishing the basement in my house and I have a question. I have a sump pump in my basement, and around the basement floor there is a 1/2 to 1' gap between the foundation wall and the floor... is that connected to my sump pump?

Can I just put the wall over the gap or do I need to close the gap first?

thanks

Submitted: 343 days and 7 hours ago.
Category: Engineering
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  walkereng replied 343 days and 6 hours ago.


walkereng :

I can help

walkereng :

Can you see if there is any gravel when you poke something down into the gap?

walkereng :

In general, you only have floor drains in your slab that would collect any water that might over flow from an appliance or water heater. The sump pump is made to collect water from the outside of your basement walls. When the house was built, you generally place gravel backfill against the walls to allow any water to migrate down to the base of the walls into perferrated pipes that go into the sump and pump the water out.

walkereng :

I would not expect those gaps to be there to allow water to drain under the slab.

walkereng :

You really do not want moisture to come up through the gaps into your basement and make it damp. I would seal the gaps before you frame in the basement.

walkereng :

If you feel you have received a satisfactory answer to your question, click the Accept button. Experts are credited for each accepted answer they provide. If you have additional questions, please let me know. Thanks

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Expert:  walkereng replied 343 days and 6 hours ago.

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Expert:  walkereng replied 343 days and 1 hours ago.

If you feel you have received a satisfactory answer to your question, click the Accept button. Experts are credited for each accepted answer they provide. If you have additional questions, please let me know. Thanks

Customer replied 341 days and 15 hours ago.

Thanks for the reply... But when I look in the gap there is gravel.

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Expert:  walkereng replied 341 days and 5 hours ago.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. Is there gravel in the gap all the way up to the top of the slab? Most all slabs are poured on a gravel base.

If you are finishing your basement, there is no need to leave the gap since you should not be having water in the basement above the slab.

Sorry for the mis-communication.

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  walkereng replied 339 days and 12 hours ago.

Do you have any follow-up questions?

Expert TypeBachelor's Degree
Category: Engineering
Pos. Feedback: 98.0 %
Accepts: 81
Answered: 5/8/2012

Experience: Over 27 years of comprehensive experience

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