Expert: Dan Griffin - 5/26/2008

Question
New construction, roof has been installed, walk out basement  we had a little rain went to the property and all the walls that are in the ground are damp about 2 feet up at the bottom seams and were the floor meets.  Should this be happening?  Not completely bricked in this area.

Answer
Megan, there is no simple easy answer to your question.

Basements can be made waterproof, though that would be fairly expensive and rare.  Most basements are made damp proof.  A good damp proof system will have a tar or rubber based "paint" on the outside of the wall with special efforts made at the bottom.  There will be a French drain sytem around the outside perimeter that is piped either to daylight, a storm system, or a sump pump inside.  If there are known water problems the French drain will be repeated on the inside perimeter with 6" of gravel under the slab.

Good drainage grading is essential for any water problems.  Code requires 6" minimum exterior grade below finish floor with the grade falling an additional 6" in the first 10 feet.  Gutters and extended downspouts will help.  Your sump sytem may not be powered up.  The soil around your basement is not well settled.

Discuss these issues with your builder.  I don't think you should be seeing moisture, let him show or explain why you do and the steps that have been taken.