The water problem might be something simple. Does all the
ground surrounding the house slope away from the house? It could have
settled over the years. Even a few inches right against the foundation
will matter.


How would a grading issue only cause melting snow water to enter the basement
but not heavy rain water? I'm not saying it's not a grading issue, just curious as to
how it would cause the symptoms that Leza is experiencing.


Ice & xnow builds up on the ground and forms an ice dam -
perhaps from foot traffic - even if only a few inches deep -
it might affect the natural run-off during the springtime melts -
creating a puddle near the foundation which has nowhere to go
but down. If the homeowner monitors the sump pump activity
- it will provide a good time to examine all the various
basement wetness causes - hence solutions.
As suggested - foundation grading is a common culprit.
A couple times over the years when I've seen some winter puddling
near my foundation - I've hacked a small run-off trench into the ice
with a pick-ax, just in case.
John T.