What is this pipe and why is it leaking?

[Earle Wood]

Hi guys and gals,

I have a pipe that runs through the footing in my garage's foundation to the outside of the house. Rainwater comes through this pipe into my garage. Here are my questions:

1. What is this pipe for?
2. Can I plug it?
3. Are there other solutions for how to keep the water out of my garage?

Additional details:

• My sump pump works well.
• The walls on the inside of the garage are dry. The wall on the outside is wet (because it is raining), but there are not sheets of water running down the wall. It is just damp.
• This only happens when it rains.
• It has gotten worse over the years. Perhaps related, the soil directly outside of that pipe's location has gotten higher on that wall because of landscaping.

I appreciate any help that can be offered. Thanks.

 

[LLigetfa]

Perhaps related, the soil directly outside of that pipe's location has gotten higher on that wall because of landscaping.

Lower the grade. It was a mistake to raise the grade.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Earle Wood]

Lower the grade. It was a mistake to raise the grade.

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, I'm not responsible for the landscaping. The HOA did that. Just accumulated mulch, year after year, for 17 years.

The question still remains: what is that pipe for? Can I plug it?

 

[LLigetfa]

My guess it was meant to be a way for water to exit the garage. Water appears to be collecting on the other side of that wall. I think it should be excavated and french drain be put in to take the water away from the wall.