How to fix such a terrible basement in an old house?

Question

This is an old house (Indianapolis area) built in 1930. The basement looks really ugly to me. It's a partial basement. As a newbie, I don't know how these old basements are built. I only saw the concrete basement before. What's the material of this basement? How to fix it? Any name of the material of such an old basement so that I can google it? Do you see any costly structure issue? The house will be used for mid-low end rental. Any advice and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

BTW: Do I have to attach/upload pictures one by one? It seems that I can't upload them all together.

Daniel Cullen · Answer

If you haven't yet closed on the property or even if you have it is in your best interest to get a foundation repair contractor out there stat. That basement is a nightmare whether it's living space or not. The extremely damp conditions will infiltrate to the unit/s above and will drastically reduce the useful life of everything in the bsmnt. incl. the water heater, furnace, electrical panel, etc. Start with gutters/downspouts and exterior grading in order to reduce the seepage and moisture intrusion. Then consider installing a perimeter drainage system and sump pump if the bsmnt. is still wet. Not only does the bsmnt. in it's current condition represent a potential health hazard and maintenance problem it also detracts from the value of the property and will complicate a future sale.

Dennis M. · Answer

You need some floor jack stands not those skimpy posts . Needs cleaned up and you can put up barriers and use mortar to fix a lot of that water problem . A little clean up too . it would be cost prohibitive to try and get it nice . You just don’t wNt your furnace water tank etc getting ruined . It’s not like anybody’s going to live down there so I wouldn’t get too carried away .

Austin Dickey · Answer

@Lei L. I think your best bet is to get an inspector out there before you buy. And then bring a contractor down there to price out what you’re looking for.

Lei L. · Answer

sure, thanks @Denisha K.

Denisha K. · Answer

Just speaking from a perspective of being born and raised there, ALWAYS get a thorough inspection when underground basements are involved because some issues they could present could be very costly

Lei L. · Answer

@Lynnette E. @Daniel Cullen @Matthew Paul

Thank you all for the advice! I will find basement waterproofing professionals to check it out before doing anything. Hopefully, it's not too expensive.

Matthew Paul · Answer

You have some issues there . Some look structural .You will be doing some footer work , some block work and a lot of parging or stucco work  and concrete work , and drain tile with a sump pit .  Without a basement door everything is up and down steps thru the house .

Lei L. · Answer

@Mike D'Arrigo Thank you. Is the wall made of concrete? Doesn't look like the concrete wall I have seen.

Mike D'Arrigo · Answer

@Lei L. Basements don't need to be pretty. They are not living space. The most common thing to look for is cracking in the concrete wall (cracks often time are just settling and are not major) bowing in the retaining walls, and sagging in the ceiling joists. You should always get a home inspection which will identify anything major.

How to fix such a terrible basement in an old house?

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