How to fix damp under house?

[znelson]

I recently had a plumber check out a blockage in one of my pipes. In doing so he found the pipe from the kitchen sink was leaking where it attached to the old clay pipe. The whole area is extremely damp. The weep holes are about one brick above the brick paths that run around my house. This part is also the front of the house so the lowest point on sloping down to the street. The plumber described it as “sludge”. I am hols at the moment so haven't seen it myself. Who would be the best trade to fix this or can i do myself with extraction fans etc? Any help would be appreciated. 

[EricL]

Hello @znelson 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about the dampness under the house.

In theory, if the leak has been fixed, water should now start to evaporate and get absorbed by the soil. If the soil under your house is not clay and has good absorbtion qualities the soil should in theory dry out. Unfortunately, it is difficult to guess how long that process will take.

However, if the water stays or is taking a very long time to evaporate it might be necessary to engage the services of a professional who offers high-capacity dehumidifier units for water damage or structural drying. 

The only other option that comes to mind is to dig and remove the mud in a traditional manner and refill the hole with dry soil.

Let me all on our experienced members @Nailbag and @AlanM52 for their recommendations.

Eric

[znelson]

Thanks Eric for your suggestions. I am hoping now it’s getting warmer it will dry up. Looking at the photo though i can see electrical and other cabling and plumbing that looks buried in the sludge so as you said I might have to rake some out. Not sure if the piping is discarded rubbish.  I have been at the house 6 years and no idea how long it’s been leaking. 

[Nailbag]

Hi @znelson 

as @EricL highlighted the plumbing issue has now been repaired so that takes care of the important issue. The weep holes being above the external ground work are clear so thats another important factor to put your mind at ease. 

The electrical cables laying in the ground I am confident they will most likely be TV antenna cables going to various points around the house, with some even being dis-used. I often see this as a result of TV antenna installers in general and in my opinion run cables with an out of sight out of mind attitude with no regulations to control how cables are run. There could also be ethernet cables in the mix to and all just as likely to be done by the previous owner. Lifting the cables out of the mud and pinning them to the joists is an easy DIY job using these clips. and tying up larger loops with cable ties. Do this before the ground dries out.

As you have noted you could simply let the ground dry out naturally, or help speed the process up by laying down some brick sand to absorb the excess. Even garden soil will do if you have areas in the yard you can afford to take it from. Again a DIY job or both could be achieved by a local Handman.

Nailbag

[znelson]

 

Thank you for your reply. Yes there is antenna cable everywhere! I do know that is an electrical cable for the stove going into the orange conduit. I will definitely loop those up before it dries out so they dont snap - good idea. 

The kitchen pipe was connected to the sewer (i have one of the older concrete outlets popping out of the bricks at the front) so the damp smells badly. Could i sprinkle it with damp rid or similar to quicken the drying up? (In addition to the sand) 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @znelson,

It might have been the connection between the kitchen pipe and the sewer that was leaking, but what you have there is sewage and not water from the kitchen. That's why it's such a built-up layer, not just dampness. It would also explain the smell. Don't worry, as it dries up, the smell will disappear too. I've dealt with this issue several times over the years under my house. Your best bet would likely be to cover it with sand or soil, which will help soak out any moisture. I don't believe Damprid would do much.

Mitchell

[znelson]

Thanks Mitchell. I think you are right. The smell is why i got the plumber in the first place as it was bad on the outside of the house near the weep holes and the toilet wouldn't flush. Very grateful for everyone’s advice. 

[AlanM52]

Hi @znelson,

Just saying... if you have a problem with the stove and call in a electrician and they end up under the house looking at that it is likely you will be informed that is unsafe and will quote you for a new circuit install from switchboard to oven.

When you are tidying up and bundling the cables do not include the stove cable (30 - 50 amp), run that away from the other cables and you may need these clips.

 

That is a lot of sludge for one kitchen sink leak. See what happens with the drying out thing and if that doesn't go away over time you may have to start looking for a disconnected or broken pipe section.

Cheers

[znelson]

Thanks Alan. My house is on a sloping block with the house behind higher and water naturally falling to that point. There is also a tap near the weep holes. I pulled up the bricks and looks like that could also run into there. So…many possibilities. Will try the sand and if that doesn't dry out will check the pipes. Thanks

 

[znelson]

Just an update. Was definitely sewerage. My son and i crawled under the house and raked //shovelled it all out into buckets and put down sand. I do not think it would have dried up quickly as there was lots of water.

No water coming from the pipe now though where it was fixed. So if it fills up again there is another issue. Access is horrendous so i hope not!