Good evening,

I've been struggling with a small leak in my mom's poured concrete foundation. There is a leak between the power line to the well and the water line coming from the well of an apparent pin hole size. During thaws, especially the spring, it becomes problematic and a lot of work. A sump pump feels like an overreaction - any suggestions on how to repair and what type of contractor would have a solution? Interior solutions have failed rather miserably.

Thank you in advance for your help!

If you are sure it is a plumbing leak, then chiseling up the concrete and repairing it is the only way to go. If the leak is close to the edge of the slab it is sometimes possible to "tunnel" under just enough to fix it. Any experienced plumber will have knowledge that will help you.

From your comment about the leak getting worse during the thaw, though, are you sure it is truly a plumbing leak? That is the first thing that has to be done, before spending a lot of time and money on a fix that won't help: determine where the water is coming from.

Good luck!

You need to excavate the pipe or wire and seal the hole from the outside. If its a pipe you need hydrolic cement. If its just a wire running through a hole in the concrete you need to get an electical contractor to remove the wire and properly place conduit and seal it,
Do not bother with using caulk as it will not work. If it does its only going to be short lived anyway.
in any case you must fix this from the outside.

Thank you for the responses!

I have 2 differing suggestions, so I'm going to try to explain more with hopes of getting complimentary opinions. I've had some bad experiences with contractors so want to be as informed as I can be.

There is an electrical line with a ribbed, conduit cover and another round water line side by side with water infiltrating between them as they enter the basement. Does that change your previous advice?

Secondly, what type of contractor would you suggest to address your advice? A plumber? A well company? I don't have the ability to take this on confidently so I'll be looking for some help. My mom and I haven't had the best of luck individually or collectively with contractors perhaps because we don't have enough knowledge or naivete.

Thank you for your time.

Call a good plumber first. The thing that concerns me is not know whether it is an actual leak in the water line, or just ground water finding its way in through the openings. The fact that it gets worse during the thaw makes it sound like it could be the latter, though it could be that the soil normally absorbs the small leak except when it is saturated.

It is not technically difficult to chip up the slab to see what you're dealing with, but it is a fair amount of hard work, and the fixes for a plumbing leak vs. a ground water seepage are very different. See licensedwaterproofr's (sp?) postings for a very complete discussion of dealing with moisture.

So if I understand what you have.
Exterior well with a water pipe and a electrical feed in another pipe that has ribbed exterior?

Is there a sleave in the wall in which both the plumbing pipe and electical pipe runs through? There is supposed to be one, but quite often then not its not put in by the well person when they hook up the system.

Is the water coming in from around the pipes where they enter into the basement? Or is the water coming into the basement from the inside of the pipe with the wire in it?

Also does the water come in all the time or just after rain and wet weather?

If the water comes in just after wet weather, the seal where the pipes come through the wall has failed. You must dig outside to expose the entrance area and seal this off with cement and asphalt coating. Forget about using caulk, will not stay or hold.
Be aware that the pipe with the wire in it may beginning to decay or rust. It should not, but if it is you will need a well person to change it. As the wire will need to be changed from the well head back to the control box in the basement.

If the water comes in from inside the electrical pipe, it has rusted out somewhere and you will need to dig the entire wire out and replace. Again job for well person.

If the water comes in all the time, then again a well person is the one to get. As the pipe feed from the pump to the pressure tank has failed somewhere outside or where it runs through the wall. Most likely where it enters the wall as settlement of the soil on the outside often shears off the pipe where it enters through the wall.

You both are great - thank you!

There is not a sleeve for the electric feed and water line which I believe is the source of the problem. They are both appear to be just set in the concrete foundation side by side. My novice investigation of leak shows that is it between them as if there is not a good seal from the outside which is not suprising without the sleeve which seems likes a much more logical construction technique.

It only leaks during spring snow melt and extraordinary rain. Unfortunately we have 5 feet of snow of the ground which ought to provide hours of entertainment when it melts!

It sounds like I should try to find a reputable plumber and guage their answer based on the information I've received from you both. I'm also assuming I should try and get a plumber when it's actually leaking to help assure that my guess is correct.

Thank you so much again and I appreciate any additional advice you have.

You do not need a plumber, If it only appears to leak with poor weather then its just a sealent issue. Besides you will end up paying them to dig, so why not attempt yourself first.

Dig down, Carefully, you do not want to hit the pipe or wire with the shovel.

You should call the 1-800 dig number in your area and have them mark the area for any utilties that may be effected. Its the law. If you end up calling someone else to do it they must call before they dig. Both you and them can get fined if caught.

Anyway dig down to the pipe and wire, Should not be to deep or hard. Clean the area really good with a stiff brush and clean water until all is clean and any loose debris. Let dry. Purchase roof asphalt that comes in a caulking gun tube and inject it into any space around the pipes, then smear it all around the opening. Neatness does not count so put it on heavy. Look while you have the hole dug for any cracks that may contribute to the problem.

If you see any leaks in the pipe or corrosion on the wire conduit while the hole is open then call the plumber or electrical contractor.

Once done, put a small plastic bag over the cement while its still wet to protect it from backfilling. Be sure not to bury any large stones or debris other then clean fill dirt back.

Sit back and enjoy a dry pipe entrance. You saved youself a few hundred dollars doing it yourself!

The whole job should only cost $10 for asphalt cement and $5 for the asprin for the sore back from digging.