Sidewalk settles, basement getting water

There is a sidewalk along the side of my house. It has settled in an area maybe 40 feet long so that it no longer pitches away from the house but rather towards it. I get a small amount of seepage. The basement is finished, but in my utility room which is partially finished, i see water trickle to a floor drain from the basement wall during heavy rains. There is sometimes dampness in a closet down there, but nothing major ever.

I know the obvious and proper way to fix this is to rip out the sidewalk and repour. This would be quite expensive as there is also a fence attached to the concrete sidewalk and the working space is tight.

I am wondering if there is anything less drastic than replacing a 40 long sidewalk to ease the problem. i think pouring on top of the existing concrete (to make it slope the right way) would probably just break off (I am in a climate that freezes). I am wondering if using caulk or something like that on the small gap between the foundation and the sidewalk would help any.

Reply to
Michael Cortese
Loading thread data ...

dags mudjacking

Reply to
chaniarts

What kind of fence and how is it attached to the sidewalk? As the sidewalk started settling and pitching toward the house, did the fence also start to tilt toward the house?

Someone mentioned mud jacking, which may be an option. But, depending on the fence situation, mud jacking may also move the fence at the same time.

I don't know the cost of replacing sidewalks these days, but about 5 years ago it was about $100 per 4'x4' square to have an existing sidewalk removed and repoured. I assume it is more now, but you may want to get a few estimates.

If you don't fix the problem, the water damage could get worse and maybe leave you with an expensive mold problem.

But, again, things like how the fence is attached to the sidewalk etc. may make a big difference in terms of what you can do and what it may cost.

Reply to
Jay-T

the fence is 6 foot wood panels attached to metal posts. The metal post appear to go into the sidewalk, but I the sidewalk was poured afterwards as post holes here have to be at least 3 feet deep due to the frost. I guess I am saying the sidewalk butts the post on 3 sides, and isn't in the same concrete, but breaking the sidewalk would have to be done carefully around the fence posts.

The fence has not moved at all. That side of the sidewalk did not settle.

I have heard mixed things on mud jacking. Also, I tried to get some estimates, but it is hard to find people that do that. I think due to the scarcity, the price is high.There are tons of people that pour concrete.

Reply to
Michael Cortese

.

I'd guess it would be labor intensive to mudjack a sidewalk. Some pictures would probably help people come up with ideas.

Reply to
jamesgangnc

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.