My first post... sorry if it's too long.

Unknowingly we have been backwashing our pool system through our weeping tiles, on the west side of our house, for 9+ years. We've recently developed a crack in the poured concrete foundation in close proximity, but on the south side of our house. We have witnessed a visible drop in ground level (2-3") on the outside of our house in the same general area over the last 9 years as well (both west and south sides). Our house was built in the 70's.

I've had a couple of quotes and can get the crack, on the south side, fixed for around $3500 (hand excavated). I figure I'll get a scoping of the weeping system along the west side, done once we've excavated.

My questions is: "How urgent is a repair to the weeping system, along the west side, if problems are found?"

I'm really not worried about our house sinking, but I am a conscientious homeowner. Money is always a problem and it could be rather expensive to do a large repair. If we redirect the backwash and eavestrough flow from that system, would it suffice or is the weeping system so critical that regardless of how much flow there is, it should be fixed immediately?

Thanks for reading it through. I look forward to anyone's opinion

I'm not sure that the discharge from the pool has caused the crack.

Nevertheless, since you will be excavating to repair the crack, you will be able to check the status of the weeping system in that spot. It is about 30 years old. Do not be surprised if you find it clogged solid with soil. In that case, it will have been useless for some time.

From what you have described, the best things to do would be:
1. Repair the crack in the foundation as planned. If the weeping system is clogged, leave it alone.
2. Install a yard drain and a pipe to use when you drain your pool, to direct the pool discharge around the house and to daylight on the far side, or to an existing municipal storm drain, if readily available. A 4-inch plastic pipe should suffice.

I'm assuming no water enters the crack in your foundation. That is why I suggest ignoring a clogged weeping system.

You may find that the crack was caused by a tree root, or a rock in the backfill, or hydraulic pressure, but in the latter case, you probably would have gotten water inside the basement. If the crack is almost vertical and located near dead center of the wall, it may be a shrinkage crack; however, if so, the crack would probably have happened early in the life of the house, such as within the first year.

Good luck, and please let us know of your success.

Thanks for the heads up Richard. I guess I missed some critical info. Yes, the crack on the south wall is leaking water, as is an previously repaired crack further up on the west wall (previous owners - never leaked since we've owned the house). Both are minor leaks.

I am sure that both of these leaks are occurring because of recent rains and the spring thaw have saturated the soil around our house.

If I can go back for a minute to your comment regarding the weeping tiles being filled with dirt/soil. If this is the so, then the weeping system around our entire house is most likely flawed. It begs the question: "How urgent are these repairs?" Should they be fixed immediately or it this something which, we could save up for over the next few years and redo the whole house at that time?

Cheers,

If the water is only entering through the two cracks, repair the cracks as recommended here by LicensedWaterproofer. You may never have any more cracks or water problems. If so, then why make a big mess to repair a weeping system? If you repair thecracks and while doing do, you find that the weeping system is still functioning, then celebrate.

I would still put in a little drainage system to take the pool discharge past the house.

Thanks Richard. Between you and my Dad you've saved me thousands of dollars and considerable worry over what is probably nothing.

Cheers,