1/2" holes drilled every 3" inches around foundation????

amerren · 04-12-2010, 09:42 PM

We are remodling our basement and in the process removed a plastic like trim from around the bottom of the foundation. We then saw that there are these 1/2" holes drilled in the wall just above the floor every 3 inches or so. If you stick your finger in the hole you can feel water but we do not have any water in the basement. We do not have a sump pump just a couple of drains in another area of the basement near the washer. Can we fill these holes w/ hydraulic cement? Is this some type of drainage system? We want to put up drywall over the cement block and finish the floor....

CrpntrFrk · 04-13-2010, 12:07 AM

Might be for termites.

amerren · 04-13-2010, 07:24 AM

I know that at one time the house did have termites, I think in the 70's. Is it ok to fill them in then?

joed · 04-13-2010, 08:45 AM

Interior drainage system for a leaking wall. Is the wall block? The holes are drilled into each cavity in the blocks to let the water out. The plastic strip channels the water to a drain or sump. It's a cheap fix for a leaking block wall.

It does nothing to fix a leaky basement. It just directs the leaking water to a drain so you think your basement is not leaking.

amerren · 04-13-2010, 09:05 AM

ok so what can we do? I do think they must be draining into the drain at the other end of the house. We are finishing off the basement, is it ok to fill them in? We have been here 6 years and have never had a wet basement.

itsreallyconc · 04-13-2010, 11:45 AM

those holes were there BECAUSE there WAS a wet bsmt at 1 time which will now probably return,,, its your home but, knowing this now, i'd be thinkin' seriously of repairing the damage done BEFORE ' finishing off the basement ',,, since its your house, you have to decide ' ok ' or ' not ok ',,, wouldn't do it in mine !