Water issues in basement

Mike Hughes

New Member
Bidding on cleaning basements of newly constructed homes. The cleaning company that I am subbing for thinks the water will be soaked up by the gravel underneath the floor............it has about a one inch gap around the entire edge of the basement.........and if he is correct, the water should go into the ground...........what do you think?? Too good to be true?

I dont do new const work usually, but this is a decent opportunity......70 houses. Basements, garages, and sidewalks.
 

timhays

New Member
try one before you bid. see what happens,normally the ground is so compact it wont absorb much water,although you wont be putting that much water in there,i always shop vac my water out in places like that.
 
E

ernie50

Guest
You should'nt have a problem. There should be 12"-16" of drainage gravel around the perimeter of the foundation. You can always go to the site and ask the constuction manager and ask for drainage specs. I do new construction basements a couple times a week and have never had a problem.
Ernie
 

Bill B

New Member
Shop Vac. If a lot of water, use a "zero clearance" sump pump. Most basements have a low spot (or 2 or 3).

Mike and others, in reading your posts I wonder if I am missing cross marketing opportunity. I clean brick on new houses, and sometimes demud prior to owners moving in, but have not targeted basements and garages. How do you normally clean (pressure and what chemicals if any)? How do you charge?

Mike, a superintendent at one of my jobs taught me a trick you may be interested in. When this builder constructs a garage with the drywall extending all the way to the floor (no concrete apron), to remove the drywall mud and garbage he first broom and vacs, then mists the floor with water to soften the crap. Allows to sit for about 1/2 hour, then squegee, followed by rinse. Tried 2 weeks ago and worked very well, and keeps from blowing water and junk onto drywall.

Good luck.
 

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