"mm" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:27:35 GMT, "Donna"
wrote:
I have an image that your low spot is only 2 or 3 inches lower than
the rest of the floor and only 3 to 4 feet across. You havent' said,
so that's my image. If that is the case, the sump pump will run for 4
or 5 seconds and remove all the water around it, and then wait until
more gathers. Wouldn't that mean that parts of the rest of the floor
are also wet. Maybe they dry out faster after the rain stops, so that
part of the floor doesn't bother you.
Actually, the low spot is where the coal chute enters, and the water
gathers. Sealing the chute seems to be the first step, *then* if that
doesn't solve the water problem (along with repairing the door or putting a
lip on the outside edge to keep water from running under the door. Gee,
can't wait to trip over that coming into the basement.
I can't picture this area, but there is bound to be a way to dig it
out, or seal it without digging it out without earth moving equipment.
There are millions? of coal chutes that have been sealed after they
aren't used, maybe just with a piece of wood or metal plate screwed
on** and the edges caulked, but again, I have no real image of the
situation in my head.
**Or some sheet metal formed into a box cover, by folding at the
corners, sort of like wrapping paper is wrapped around a gift box.
Again, I have no image.
I can't really describe it -- it was such a bear to make *any* progress
excavating it by hand, that I never was able to make enough headway to be
certain about what i was looking at. What I really need is something like
an really durable Archemedes Screw insert off-color joke of your choice
here to get the coal and dirt and rocks out of the hole. A small backhoe
won't do it. Nothing I can seem to rent is small enough and stable enough
to get into that corner and dig that coal out.
ARen't you losing heat through this 12 x 12 inch hole? Again, my
image of a coal chute.
Yes, lots. I'm less concerned with that than with the water draining into
the basement room, though. One problem at a time.
Donna