Expert: Joe Turner - 3/19/2008

Question
I had a new house built in August 2007 and there is water coming up into the sump hole in the unfinished basement. (I'm assuming its a sump hole: 2'x 2', full of gravel. There is NO sump pump). There are NO pipes feeding water into the sump hole. The basement is dry everywhere else, but humid and have a de-humidifier running.  The main drainage pipe for the entire house passes through the sump hole connecting down and out to town sewer.  

They had installed perfed PVC french drains around the perimeter of the foundation/footings. I thought this would eliminate any water build up? The builder said its OK to have water in the sump hole and it will never overflow out of it because of the french drains on the outside. The french drains were placed on top of the footings, not next to them.

Although the water is not overflowing out of the sump hole, I'm concerned that it will eventually come up and flood the basement in the years to come. I'm also concerned that the standing water will start to smell and stink up the house. The water already has a slight odor. I am considering finishing the basement, but I don't want to do this is it will get flooded. Should I be worried? Should I be asking the builder to correct anything?

I can provide photos as I took many during construction.

Thanks,
Jose

Answer
This is a difficult question. I think the builder is correct under normal conditions but if you are smelling sewage, you have a problem. Get an expert who has credentials in this area and pay to get an opinion. I would make this a condition of sale and specify that YOU get to pick the expert and the builder gets to pay. Call you local state contractor's office to find an expert.
JT