QuestionI purchased a house 10/06 Being a single women alone i got taken advantage of. I was never told of the ongoing problem with the back yard. Basically I have a pool in the back yard . The water broke threw my cellar wall and needed to be repaired . It has happened again. and i became very ill from all the mold. Please give me some kind of information or where to go for help. I am lost! Thank You ! I have a mess
AnswerUnfortunately, you have TWO problems: Mold & Drainage. The one problem (drainage) is enhancing the other (mold growth).
For the mold, I would suggest familiarizing yourself with the EPA's website on the topic & possible solutions:
Residential Mold Problem:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html
Handy check List:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/mold_remediation.html
As to grading/Drainage problems, this is an all-too-common issue. Here is a 2-page article from the builder抯 perspective:
http://www.ienga.net/newsletters/vol9no2_grading_drainage_problems.pdf
And here is a Landscape Contractor抯 suggested solutions:
http://www.teamgreenlandscaping.com/drainage.htm
If the drainage is not corrected, expect more problems in the future. It may or may NOT be correctable - if you have a high groundwater table, for instance, where will the water go?
I would direct you to either your city/county engineering department, or a competent, Local Civil Engineer or Landscape Architect for specific solutions to your backyard/basement water & mold problem.
Good luck! -Marc