Water Seeping From Floor

[Scott J.]

Out here in Southern California we just had a very unusual 4 days of rain and a renter called me and said their carpet was wet and they couldn't find the source.

Luckily it was in the corner of the house and the wet spot was only about 1' x 1'. After pulling up the carpet and removing the soaked pads, it was clear the water leaked in from outside. The pads I threw away held all the moisture, but I still Shop-Vacced the carpet and left a fan there for them to run for a few days.

We just bought this place in 2012 and have had this same tenant the whole time. They said there were sandbags stacked against the wall there on the outside so the previous owners definitely knew. Didn't show up in our inspection though.

1. What type of professional do I call to seal the exterior wall (plumber, etc.)? This one really stumps me.

2. Is replacing the carpet pad something that I can do? Seems easy enough.

3. Do I basically just pay for it if it's less than my insurance deductible and if it's over than run it through them?

Thanks!

[Lee Smith]

I don't know California houses, but we get lots of rain in Indiana. Typical problems stem from gutters and downspouts which empty right at the foundation, and yards that taper downhill to basement walls.

I had a house that the entire back yard ran downhill to the basement window.. I ended up bringing in a few tons of dirt to change the grade and channel water away from the house.

If the previous owners put sandbags up, then you may have a grade problem.. If you have gutters, try running the downspouts away from the house by 6 feet or so.

Here's a link to show you what I am talking about.

http://www.epa.gov/iaplus01/technical/moisture/images/large/30.jpg