Wet basement

[flying belgian]

I believe bentonite is used in dam applications as well.

FB, what are the chances you have some underlying contributors such as springs and bed rock that might inhibit or add to water permeability? I don’t know the address, but know that area has alot of changing soils.

Good point but I don't think so. Only comes in when we have a heavy rainfall. That's when all the water from the parking lot runs against my house.

 

[showcrop]

I've used bentonite clay from the feed store to seal up more than a handful of basements/chimneys without any repeat offenders...its the same stuff that is used to cap wells. Craziest stuff you've ever witnessed...if you fill a container 1/2 full and then add water the top half inch will get wet, but it won't penetrate any deeper. All I've ever done is dig a trench next to the wall, maybe 6" wide and 10-12"deep, put 6-8" bentonite in the trench and cover it up. You might get water one more time but once it gets wet, it'll swell and seal. Cheap too, $20/50# bag here. Any way you could stuff some of this down between the asphalt and the building? Maybe blow the seam out with compressed air and fill it in?

This is not a ground permeability problem. It is just the joint between asphalt and concrete, which is normally above ground but that the water comes up to during heavy rains.

 

[flying belgian]

This is not a ground permeability problem. It is just the joint between asphalt and concrete, which is normally above ground but that the water comes up to during heavy rains.

showcrop hit the nail on the head. I just need to seal that joint. The neighbors driveway/parking lot slopes toward my house instead of away from my house. I've owned the house for 30 years and he had it blacktopped how many years before that. Not a problem even in above average rain years as long as it is not a gully washer. I've stayed ahead of it for the most part with calk or that black bin tar. But the freeze thaw of Mn winters pulls the joint apart separating the seal. I think if I would seal it twice a year I could stay ahead of it but I was just wondering if I could find a more permanent solution.

 

[Vito]

I'd check with the town or city to see if the neighbor is allowed to shed water on your property causing a hardship.

Vito