On Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:51:31 -0400, "EXT"
wrote:

How is the water getting on top of the floor and where does it "drain" to,
as you say.

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

The sump pump is in a spot in the crawlspace. During heavy rains and
for several days thereafter it is common for it to run often, that is,
it empties, then fills up in 1-2 minutes and empties again. It does
not run all the time.

The pump keeps up with the water in the pit. The pit itself does not
overflow. However, water seeps up from underneath the floor in
different parts of the basement. A puddle often forms in a spot about
10 feet away from the pit. It is also common for the cement floor to
get wet in the immediate area surrounding the pit.

It does not appear as if the water is coming in through the walls. It
seems to come up from the floor, due to a high water table, which is
common in this area.

The previous owner installed the sump pump. For all I know he did it
himself by simply digging a pit, drilling some holes, and sticking a
pump in there. I do not see any evidence of drain tiles or any other
mechanism that might lead water into the pit.

So, what would be needed to make sure a proper system is in place to
ensure that the sump pump pit gets the groundwater before it rises in
other areas? What kind of contractor should I hire for such a job? I
am very wary of hiring any "waterproofing" specialists since scams
abound...