leak in the basement...water coming in around pipe?
#1
11-29-08, 09:49 AM
leak in the basement...water coming in around pipe?
OK...let me start off with this is not my house yet....but I am considering buying it from the bank.
The last two times I visited the basement, there were no leaks around the sewage pipe that goes in the wall in the basement. Today I went to take some pictures and take another look ah the house and my real estate agent noticed water dripping off of the 4" septic pipe that goes out to the yard. I verified that the pipe was not leaking above where it was dripping by running my hand around the pipe...it was dry. It appears that the water is coming through the outside of the wall through the seal. We went outside to notice a downspout that empties about 4 feet away from the leak. So...my question is....is it possible for the water to find it's way 4 feet across and about 4 to 5 feet deep and going through the outside of the pipe and coming inside? That is my best guess.
Recommendations? I know that the gutter downspout is an issue...it would need be fixed so the water goes away from the foundation. Do you think I would have to dig this thing up and reseal this from the outside? I would have to imagine this could be costly?
Thanks...
The last two times I visited the basement, there were no leaks around the sewage pipe that goes in the wall in the basement. Today I went to take some pictures and take another look ah the house and my real estate agent noticed water dripping off of the 4" septic pipe that goes out to the yard. I verified that the pipe was not leaking above where it was dripping by running my hand around the pipe...it was dry. It appears that the water is coming through the outside of the wall through the seal. We went outside to notice a downspout that empties about 4 feet away from the leak. So...my question is....is it possible for the water to find it's way 4 feet across and about 4 to 5 feet deep and going through the outside of the pipe and coming inside? That is my best guess.
Recommendations? I know that the gutter downspout is an issue...it would need be fixed so the water goes away from the foundation. Do you think I would have to dig this thing up and reseal this from the outside? I would have to imagine this could be costly?
Thanks...
#2
11-29-08, 11:14 AM
It's hard to be sure, not being able to see the rest of the landscaping, but as long as the house isn't sitting in a hole and the water has a place to go, other than that basement, you should be ok. OK that is with patching from the outside. It can be done by hand, but a small machine and a couple of hours, $200, and it's done. And yes, water five feet away can cause a problem if it has no place to run to, away from the house.
There is another possibility, not so good. You said septic pipe, so somewhere out there is a septic system, and when they back up they will sometimes follow the soil around the pipe back to the house. A good investment before you buy, whether it is part of this problem or not, would be to have the system inspected. There should be an air gap on top of the tank. If it is full to the access lid, there is probably a problem.
Good Luck,
Bud
There is another possibility, not so good. You said septic pipe, so somewhere out there is a septic system, and when they back up they will sometimes follow the soil around the pipe back to the house. A good investment before you buy, whether it is part of this problem or not, would be to have the system inspected. There should be an air gap on top of the tank. If it is full to the access lid, there is probably a problem.
Good Luck,
Bud
#3
11-30-08, 05:11 AM
Thanks for the quick response.
I failed to mention a few things that are important.
One....the house is on city water/sewage so there is no septic system (unless you can still call this a septic system?).
The other....it was raining for the past few days. The house is currently unoccupied with no running water and no power. They winterized the plumbing with anti-freeze of some sort. These are the reasons why we suspected the downspout from the gutter with the water just sitting next to the foundation as the root cause. We will be contacting a plumber prior to making an offer.
Again...thanks for the response.
I failed to mention a few things that are important.
One....the house is on city water/sewage so there is no septic system (unless you can still call this a septic system?).
The other....it was raining for the past few days. The house is currently unoccupied with no running water and no power. They winterized the plumbing with anti-freeze of some sort. These are the reasons why we suspected the downspout from the gutter with the water just sitting next to the foundation as the root cause. We will be contacting a plumber prior to making an offer.
Again...thanks for the response.
