I just bought an old Victorian house in Plymouth. There was standing water in the basement, which I thought just needed pumping out because it had accumulated after heavy rain. When I moved in and started pumping, I discovered a finger-width-sized hole in the floor (looks drilled, very deliberate?) that bubbles up new water with every pump with a fair amount of force. It ALWAYS returns to the same level after pumping it out then stops, like a foot deep. No matter how many times I pump it comes back to the same level, it's hard to tell but heavy rain seems to make it rise slightly. High water table was suggested, but I've pumped it a bunch of times with zero effect, and it's a terraced house halfway up a steep slope, all the houses have basements and only mine has this issue. I've had someone check my drainage pipes, all found to be okay. A natural spring has been suggested, but would it return to the same water level every time? The water company has tested the water, and found trace amounts of chlorine, but not enough for them to think it's their water apparently... I'm at a loss for what to do. If I just put a sump pump in with the constant flow it's at it's gonna be running 24/7 and electric prices aren't cheap to begin with...
Water Bubbling Up Through Hole in Basement
- Thread starter Renvaar
- Start date
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Leaking water main or a load of water sat underground which is discharging elsewhere at the same level as it stops at?
The water company has been out and weren't much help, so if it is a leaking water main I'm not sure what to do there... They did take further samples but I heard nothing back from them and it's been a couple weeks... If it's simply groundwater I find it odd basements on either side of me, particularly the one below me aren't flooded, we're on such a steep slope so it's odd I'm the one house with the problem...
Looks like you have a natural spring beneath your house Del Boy.
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Chlorine content means tapwater
But if they say not much, it might be because it mixes with rainwater, probably from a drain, or possibly because it passes through a lot of soil or rock.
If yours is the only house with it, in the street, then it is surely a leak rather than high water table.
Perhaps you could sell it to someone with a swimming pool or car wash.
But if they say not much, it might be because it mixes with rainwater, probably from a drain, or possibly because it passes through a lot of soil or rock.
If yours is the only house with it, in the street, then it is surely a leak rather than high water table.
Perhaps you could sell it to someone with a swimming pool or car wash.
I've thought about that but it means going through 6" of concrete, and I'm worried making the whole bigger will bring up even more water, plus I'm not sure I'll find anything more than dirt and water?
Sounds like you need to chase the water company...
Drill a small sump hole , small boat pump with float switch , costs a few £ a year to run .
It might be the water table for your area .
It might be the water table for your area .
You're not the first person to suggest a boat pump! The drainage specialist I got out to check the drains said he could make a sump hole, he'd be much cheaper than the big companies I've had out who are gonna quote thousands, and he's known locally as very trustworthy and good at his job. I had a look on Amazon though and couldn't find such pumps? Could you suggest one so I have an idea what I'm looking for?
Edit: For it to be the water table by the way, I find it odd that the house directly above and below me are both (as far as I know) totally fine... Being on a slope... Why does the water seem to just stop (or start and stay?) with me...
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Search bilge pump.
floodandwaterpumps.co.uk
APP HD-15 Submersible Site Pump50mm Outlet for HD
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DIY sheds also sell submersible pumps, likely to be cheaper than a yottie shop.
www.screwfix.com
Edit
But not as cheap as foxholes link
If excavating a sump in your cellar, it is best to line the pit with no-fines concrete so water can seep in, but without the pump sucking the earth out as mud, leaving a growing cavity under the house.
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Edit
But not as cheap as foxholes link
If excavating a sump in your cellar, it is best to line the pit with no-fines concrete so water can seep in, but without the pump sucking the earth out as mud, leaving a growing cavity under the house.
I have one of those now for 50 quid from Amazon pumping the water out when it gets to around a foot and a half of water. What worries me though is they are quite high wattage, 400W for mine and that was at the low end, and with the speed the basement fills up it'll be turning on and off for most of the day constantly pumping, not only will it cost a lot in energy bills, but likely burn the pump out pretty quick?DIY sheds also sell submersible pumps, likely to be cheaper than a yottie shop.
Submersible - Search Results | Screwfix
Order Submersible at screwfix.com. Free next day delivery available. Buy online & collect in hundreds of stores in as little as 1 minute. Free returns. 30 day money back guarantee.
Edit
But not as cheap as foxholes link
If excavating a sump in your cellar, it is best to line the pit with no-fines concrete so water can seep in, but without the pump sucking the earth out as mud, leaving a growing cavity under the house.
The "no-fines concrete" is a good tip, didn't think about that, thanks
Have you tried plugging the hole, to see what happens?
You say the hole appears to be deliberately drilled, perhaps whoever drilled it, went through the concrete and hit a drainage pipe?
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