Pipe sticking out of the basement floor


  #1  
Old 07-24-02, 08:24 PM
Phonetek
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Pipe sticking out of the basement floor

I have this 1" pipe that sticks up out of my basement floor about three feet straight up. I recently purchased this home. The former owner told me they didn't know what it was for but they said not to cut it, cover it or remove it. They didn't know why but they said to just leave it alone. I have never seen such a thing in my life. I would like to know what it is for and to find a way on how to get rid of it. I would like to finish this basement but I really don't think a pipe attached to nothing in the center of my basement is very decorative. I think it has something to do with the water of course but I'm wondering if it was from when the home used to have a well and septic system. It now has commercial water and sewer. The basement also has 3 sump pits and pumps. One goes to the sewer, one goes out in the yard and the other goes to the old septic system. They are all still fully hooked up and functional. Not sure if that matters but I figured it it may help. They house is 75 years old and has no signs of foundation seepage, cracks on the inner walls or any water damage. Hope someone can help me out on this!
 
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Old 07-26-02, 06:31 PM
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Go to court house and see about getting blue prints or where to get them. Or maybe they can suggest where you can go to find out what the pipe is/was for.

Brian
 
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Old 07-26-02, 08:44 PM
Phonetek
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I have more information to add

I have done some research by asking around and I guess in this town that I live in this pipe was a common practice back in the day. They call it a "Water Stand Pipe". I still don't understand it's purpose but it has something to do with the water table and the pressure under the house. Again I was warned not to cut, remove or cap the pipe. I was told that my basement would flood if I did any of those things. I still don't get it. What and how does thing do anything? If it does actually do something, isn't there some way it can do it without sticking out of my floor? Also, I would like to add that I have tried to obtain the blueprints for the house from the village, hall of records and courthouse which all are the same place here and they do not have the blueprints for my home. The home was built by the original owner who is now deceased. I'm not sure how to get the blueprints now if they even exist, it is in fact 75+ yrs old. Thanks, any further help would be appreciated!
 
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Old 07-27-02, 09:03 AM
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Cool

My SWAG guess is that this "water stand pipe" is to allow any excess ground water pressure to come up in that pipe THROUGH the basement floor instead of accumulating under it, maybe buckling the floor somehow or causing it to seep leak.
I suppose that the water table is a problem for basements in your area.
Seems to me that three sumps would take care of anything like that.
I would cut it off enough above floor level to add a cap to see what happens. If you start having water problems, cut the cap off, add a collar and another length of pipe to replace it. You can use a Fernco coupling on it, if it's galvanized.
Good luck!
Mike
 
 

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