After pulling my hair out for quite a while to figure out why I get some water in my basement about twice a year during a hard, wind-driven rain, I believe I have finally figured it out. I believe that the water is coming in where stone veneer that goes about four feet up my outside walls meets vinyl siding. I suspect something wasn't done correctly and water can get in at the top of the stone veneer. So, now I'm wondering whether I have a minor problem that is easily fixed, or a major problem with poorly done work. Does anyone have experience with this and where I should start to figure out the extent of the problem and how to correct? Thanks.

IF that's the problem, the fix is fairly easy. What you need to do is slip metal flashing about three or four inches up under the bottom of the vinyl siding, and extend it over the top of the stone veneer (which I assume is out anywhere from 4 to 6 inches from the face of the vinyl), and then down about a half inch over the face of the stone. You may want to have this half-inch leg bent back on itself to stiffen the edge. You may need to have the flashing bent for you by someone who has a bending brake.

You can use any of a few colors of hard-color anodized (one trade name is Duranodic)aluminum, so that the color harmonizes with your existing colors. It comes in silver, three shades (light, medium and dark) of bronze, and black, usually.

You may also want to set the flashing in a full bed of non-hardening sealant on top of the stone.

IF that is really the source of the problem, those steps should take care of it. To be sure, why not drape some (about a foot) 6-mil polyethylene film over the top of the stone, taped to the bottom of the vinyl siding, and to the stone as best you can, and wait for the next rain. If no water, then you've found the culprit. If still water, then you're only out a few bucks, and next I'd consider whether the stone itself is absorbing water and directing it into the house. Depending on the stone and mortar, that is not unheard of.

What you could do then is cover all the stone with the polyethylene film, and see what happens when it rains next. If no water, then you've found the culprit here. If still water, then the next suspect is the shelf on the foundation where the stone sits, which is probably below grade. That will take some digging to investigate, so I hope it isn't that.

Let us know how things work out.

Chi--Richard,

Mr T, how ya doing?

I still have the pic`s you sent Tim and like i mentioned throughout our emails, it was possible for water to penetrate brick venner and the shelf any siding/windows etc above ground in that area, and the bsmt wall was another possibility. If there was a crack/other opening in that area of bsmt wall then, you have a 2-part or ++ problem and all need to be correctly sealed.

The actual fix if the problem(S) are above ground is not my specialty.

If i remember, you did run a water test at ground level BUT, if that shelf was also soaked during the water test then, thats at least part of problem, the way the water test is done is very important

any opening/gap where siding meets brick water can FIRST enter, any seam in the siding and its possible any window above this area, screened or not, can allow water to enter. these and any other tiny-large gaps/spaces/openings allow water to enter, especially on those wind driven longer rains out of the...same direction.

Have seen all these be part/all of a homeowners problem/leak, also have seen a lil opening around a door bell, and a slightly ajar milk-chute turn out to be those lucky homeowners entire problem.....got milk?

Richard, LW -

Thanks for your replies. So, LW, I see you monitor more than just the foundation board. I did consider e-mailing you over this, but figured it wasn't your specialty and that I'd at least start here. Yes, I am questioning whether I ever had a problem with the wall. But, I suspect that I did so I'm trying not to sweat the expense of digging it up.

But anyway, obviously that didn't solve my entire problem. It is very clear to me now that my problem is above the ground as my dampness starts at the top of the wall, which is about 3 feet above ground. Also, I have taken a watering can and poured it along the vinyl-veneer joint and had water instantly pouring in the basement.

Thanks for recommendation on the PVC. I agree with you and have tried that. The problem I am having is that any tape I've used lets go before I get an appropriate rain storm to see what happens. Can you make a suggestion of something that would last, without being too hard to remove?

As I said, at least I can reproduce the problem with a watering can, at least right below my front door where I have tried it. I would like to find some method that could narrow it down before I attempt a permanent fix, like you suggested. Still makes me angry that the builder screwed this up, just hope its a minor problem that a fix like you suggest can fix. I guess I'm not surprised given everything else with this builder.

LW - LOL, can you imagine if I'd paid someone for an interior dewatering system, and then found out the water was pouring in through the wood above it? I'm sure they'd do a song and dance about how it wasn't their problem, but it wouldn't speak well to their thoroughness to make sure they had the correct problem identified!

Chi,

yesterday, just happened to see your name is all and YEP, you would have been out alot more money,still had the problem. most could care less about defining the problem,lolol, they see a 'job-**$' and will bllchtt people to no end to get it.