[bosstones]

Anyone have a walk-up basement? Looking for experiences w/ it and if water concerns are really that prevalent. Granted, that is dependent upon a lot of things like location, grading, etc...

For reference, what I was looking at would not be completely below ground level or a post-construction add-on. The depth would be something like this pic (no iron railing, though).

[ShopVac]

Initially, I had that with mine. Ended up putting in a large sunken patio so it didn't feel so tight walking out the door. Patio has a 2nd drain to help with water...but I'll state that my winters typically build up a ton of ice.

In either case...Water never comes into my game room / basement.

In these pics...The first one where the black tar is on the wall, this was covered with dirt.


Afterwards, I just painted it

[Mandi90TT]

My garden level basement has shallow window wells, and I haven't had a problem with water, even after snow. Not the same, I know, but I'm interested to see this thread, as I think I would eventually like to convert it to a walk out

[bosstones]

Thanks, guys! ShopVac, I didn't want to call you out by [screen]name, but I was certainly hoping you'd chime in. I thought you had mentioned doing something like that in the home reno thread a while back.....the thread that you walked away carrying the championship belt from.

I'm in the Chicago area so I do get rain, snow, and ice. Our builder would have a drain on the landing, but we were thinking of pushing them for a small terrace/sunken patio as consideration for no longer being able to put in a walkout.

[Ric in RVA]

As an insurance agent and past claim rep I wouldn't own a house with that big of a stairwell.

I have had multiple clients tell stories of seeing water spurt around the door jams and seeing it 2 feet deep on the outside.

Even with adequate drainage all it takes is that little pile of leaves to clog it and your finished basement is wet.

Water coming under the door is not covered by insurance either.

One of my clients who has one that flooded his basement during a huge thunder storm built a rather elaborate cover he deploys that sheds water off to one side.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by bosstones

Thanks, guys! ShopVac, I didn't want to call you out by [screen]name, but I was certainly hoping you'd chime in. I thought you had mentioned doing something like that in the home reno thread a while back.....the thread that you walked away carrying the championship belt from.

I'm in the Chicago area so I do get rain, snow, and ice. Our builder would have a drain on the landing, but we were thinking of pushing them for a small terrace/sunken patio as consideration for no longer being able to put in a walkout.

I'd strongly suggest some sort of cover to keep much of the snow and ice out of where your doorway is. I've been looking to do something, but keep changing my mind on exactly what...

[bosstones]

Thanks, guys. The lot is midway down the slope of the street but water is exactly my concern. There is not much (yet) in the way of leaves and such to cover/clog the drain, but that doesn't mean there aren't other things.

I was thinking if perhaps a larger terrace or sunken patio w/ additional drains would help, but am not sure. The wider area is also a wider collecting pool. Maybe a lookout basement is the way to go then. The grading is about 2' shy (post scraping) of the 10' minimum for a walkout so we're looking into what Plan B is.

[Ric in RVA]

Interesting.... Gallons per hour per area calculator.

https://water.usgs.gov/edu/activity-howmuchrain.html

[08njSTEP]

My dads house has a walk out. No patio and 4-5 steps down. He hasn't had any water and there have been some serious rains/snows. Now the yard drains away from the house pretty steep on that side. The big problem he has is leafs. Non stop coming into basement. The door area is a magnet for leaf and no matter how often he cleans they still make it into the basement.

[ShopVac]

Originally Posted by 08njSTEP

My dads house has a walk out. No patio and 4-5 steps down. He hasn't had any water and there have been some serious rains/snows. Now the yard drains away from the house pretty steep on that side. The big problem he has is leafs. Non stop coming into basement. The door area is a magnet for leaf and no matter how often he cleans they still make it into the basement.

Yeah - when my area was smaller...this was definitely an issue. Not so much now that it's opened up. My neighbor still has a similar design to what I had, constantly running his leaf blower in that tiny area

[nyalpine90]

use proper area drain, 3" or 4" size and slope to direct the water into drain.
correct size and correct slope makes a big difference.

[csu87]

Typically they have some sort of drain in there or they at the very least slope it away from the house so it puddles at the opposite end.

I believe it is code now for it to have a drain though if it is new construction.

[Wingnut335]

I'm actually in the process of designing a home. I initially wanted to do a walk out basement, but due to the grading of the land I will most likely pursue a walk-up basement. At a minimum, you'll want an exterior floor drain. If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, then I suggest you put an in-slab snow melt system. Of course, that's a cost adder you'll have to think about.

[bosstones]

Thanks, guys. Wingnut, I'm in the same boat. I just opted for the walk-up. I checked out the model home that is on a lower elevation on the next street over and the sump pit was dry....so I'm rolling the dice.