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City of Ann Arbor SSWWEP - Citizens Advisory Committee Coordination — City of Ann Arbor

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2.74 -C- Did the original designers of the FDD program consider the fact that pre-1982 homes were not built nor waterproofed with the critical function of a future sump pump installation?

Posted by Lori Byron on 22 Dec, 2013
Category: Category 2 - about potential recommendations

Frank Burdick’s Log Number: 15
Submitted by: Burdick log
Category (1,2,3): 2
Status: Closed
Estimated date to address: N/A

Q. FDD installations rely solely on the sump pump to get rid of footing water that is now allowed "into the house" at the sump pump location in lieu of staying on the exterior of the house at the former sanitary connection. Did the original designers of the FDD program consider the fact that pre-1982 homes were not built nor waterproofed with the critical function of a future sump pump installation?

A. There is no functional difference between a house built with a sump pump and one built without. 

Comments

Frank Burdick on 14 Jan, 2014:

This response is INCORRECT.  Building foundations constructed in areas with high water tables or where the intended use of the basement is to be "finished". a "water stop"  is installed between the footing and foundation wall.  See a  tyoical  product as shown on the attached link; http://bometals.com/products/waterproofing/strip-applied-waterstops/synko-flex-sf302/.  Introducing a sump pump to a structure that was not buillt with a sump pump in the initialdesign can and does lead to unintended consequences. This is especially a concern in very old homes ie +50 years. Older homes with dry basements are likely to be very susceptilble to new flooding from sump pumps.