> I have a small apartment that is in a cinderblock constructed building
> (with concrete floors.)
>
> The building is at the bottom of a small hill. The problem is that the
> ground water seems to seep into the building about 3 or 4 times a year.
Inch, sounds like the quickest and easiest solution might be to install a
drywell and sump pump through the slab. Cut a hole through the slab, and
excavate for 24" or so. Depending on your type of soil, you may need to
install some sort of casing for the sides to prevent the earth collapsing.
Then stick a common sump pump in the hole, and plumb it to a drain well away
from the house (or your septic system). You can even reclaim part of the
floor space by laying a lid over the hole, with a cutout for the power &
water lines.
> Now, I've paved around the building to help rain water get directed away
> from the building, but it seems that the water is still getting in (from
> undernear maybe?)
Being at the bottom of a hill, you may well be on top of a part-time spring.
Water enters rock layers at the top of the hill, then runs down the hill and
comes back up through cracks under your building. Not much flow rate, but
potentially a lot of pressure.
> Is there a waterproof coating I can put on from
> the inside?
There are lots of them you can try. They do work sometimes.
> Do I need to rip up to aspalt and install some kind of drain system?
That's probably another option.
> I don't mind calling in a professional, but how do you find someone that
> is not just a fly by nighter?
If you figure that one out, let me know ! But you might start with the
chamber of commerce for the nearest town, and see who has had a business
license for a reasonable length of time. Probably not the cheapest way to
go, but someone with an established business is less likely to leave town,
IMO.
Randall
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