Question
Our house seems to be sitting on a spring.  We have a sump pump in our basement that pumps out water even if it hasn抰 rained in weeks.  When is does rain, water pools in the backyard and the sump pump runs non stop.  There is so much moisture so we have to empty the dehumidifier daily and we are concerned about mold in the basement.  We just purchased the house nine months ago and had plans to finish the basement, but now feel we shouldn抰.  Is there anything we can do to dry up or redirect the flow of water beneath our home?  Also, we only have .25 of an acre, flat and rocky, in southern Connecticut.  The sump pump currently empties in the street.  Where should the pipe empty?  Thank you for your help.  

Answer
Wow, sorry to hear of all this.
First, yes you can dry your basement but it may be very costly.
You should consult local experts in your area who do these repairs but in general you have three options and may need to do more than one.
First you need to stop the surface water from reaching your basement. You can create swales in the yard to direct water around the house and ensure that it does not pond for any significant time. You can install french drains or catch basins to capture and divert the water around the house. You can also be sure the land slopes away from the house for at least 6 feet.
Now, once you have done all that you need to water proof the basement.
The best thing to do is to excavate around the house and re-apply waterproofing as needed, there are many types. Then back fill with gravel and install a french drain at the bottom. Drain to day light.
The other option is an interior waterproofing application.
Both of these options are very costly, typically more than $10,000.00
The pump needs to empty at a lower elevation. I am not sure if it is permissible to empty onto the street. That would be a local code issue.
Check my other postings, as I have discussed this issue many times in the past.

Sean J Murphy
SEI
Southeastern Engineering
Amenity Architects
www.amenityarchitects.com
www.southeasternengineering.com