[Donedeal]

During very heavy rains over a few days span I'll get water coming in around my basement door. I attached a picture of the grading. Would it more worthwhile to put in a French drain or see about regrading this area?

 

[woodchopper65]

regrade would be the best, does any part of your property go down hill from that location?

 

[Donedeal]

Theres a leveled area and then a subtle gradient after that. I'll look into landscapers for regrading. It happens so infrequently I wouldn't want to sink a lot of cash into the job.

 

[woodchopper65]

the cheapest way would to remove some soil grading away from the door to the lower area and then gravel back over it..

 

[ZTMAN]

Based on the pics showing the way the brick courses are aligned around the door opening, I assume some one cut the door in well after the house was built and didn't feel like cutting bricks . Looks like they dug down to get the door opening to fit. You should get rid of the ditch.

 

[Bondo]

Based on the pics showing the way the brick courses are aligned around the door opening,

Ayuh,.... It's Obviously pitched right into the doorway, lookin' at the brick lines, 'n concrete reveal on the other side,.....

Regradin' is the Best fix,....

 

[joecaption]

Looks like someone was trying to form a funnel to direct all the water toward the door.
What happened to the threshold under the door?
No doors threshold should be any closer then 2" of the grade.

 

[dd57chevy]

I would agree with the grading viewpoints . Not sure there's an easy fix here . That door (as is) may be causing more problems than it's worth . A couple of questions :

1. The BIG question is : Is this the only access to the basement ??? If not , I'd think about eliminating it & restoring the foundation and a proper grade .

2. Is there a pressing need for exterior access to basement , ie: firewood , other ??? If so , maybe an old mode coal/firewood door (w/out stairs , not designed for foot traffic).

Unless you live in a "code-free" zone , I doubt you can put in , say , a 70" (short) door !