Child Item

How to stop ground water coming out from unconnected pipe?

I have an old pipe that is not connected anywhere which is next to storm water pipe that runs towards road.
The issue is when it rains, water comes out of this unconnected pipe and ground gets very damp in that area.

recently I dug that area and got plumber. Plumber put a cap to the pipe and asked me to monitor if water still gets out of pipe when it rains.

i see it still slowly fills up the area meaning water is also coming around that pipe.

This unconnected pipe is under driveway which is concrete and solid. No gravel around pipe. So, I suspect the damage to pipe is very near to the opening.

my questions is

1) how do I check the damage

to pipe?

2) if pipe is not leaking or if I can fix that leakage, how do I connect unconnected pipe to storm water pipe so water would not flow back. Unconnected pipe is around 1-2 inch below storm water pipe.

Appreciate your help.

Regards.

Find more posts tagged with

Repairing

Plumbing

Comments

JacobZ

Hi @approachmhn,

Thank you for your question about stopping groundwater from coming out of an unconnected pipe that runs under your driveway.

As you've capped off the other end of the pipe, I believe that you have groundwater tracking along the outside of the pipe and congregating at its end.

Unfortunately, there is no great way of dealing with the issue of water tracking along the pipe without removing the concrete, and I don't believe it is actually coming through the pipe so connecting it to the stormwater pipe is unlikely to help.

It is likely that you have clay in this area that will not allow the water to drain freely. I propose you dig what is called a soakaway underneath this spot. There are a number of videos online that show how these operate. You might like to have a look on YouTube for some examples.

If there is clay as I suspect, you'll get the best result possible by digging through the layer of clay to more freely draining soil. Once the hole is dug, fill the hole with drainage gravel and compact with a tamper to create a pit that allows the water to drain through the clay layer and soak away as the name suggests. Once tamped and working, backfill with soil to cover.

Allow me to tag some of our helpful members to see if they have any thoughts, @Dave-1, @Jewelleryrescue, @Nailbag, @JoeAzza.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

JoeAzza

Hi @approachmhn, I think you need to locate where this capped pipe is coming from first, try putting dye and water down each drain pipe one at a time to try and pinpoint the location, other than that @JacobZ suggest might be required, another way is to insert a drain camera to to see where the pipe extends to, however this would be at a considerable cost.

Dave-1

Morning @approachmhn

When I was "fixing" my stormwater pipes up and fixing my water ingress to the garage I found what I believe dto be a stormwater pipe. This pipe had 10cm slits along the length of it and was next to the foundation wall with a sheet of plastic for "waterproofing" the foundation. Plastic had perished, pipe was blocked so I ended up rerouting it and installing a new section. The old pipe still continues up under the house following the edge of the foundation. The plumber told me this was the way they drained water away from the foundations. As in subsurface water.

There is no end to my pipe as it goes up the center of my house (have plans to excavate it one day for a room and will chase the pipe back as I go)

If you dig down on the other sid eof your driveway to the same depth you may find this pipe. Then you will have a better idea of what it is and where it should go. The plumber should have had a camera and put it up the pipe to see how far it goes or if its compacted because of clay. Thats what happened to my pipes) You could feed a hose up the pipe and see the distance it will travel. Just remove the hose head is all.

Fixing water ingress issues in garage is the project I did and step three shows you the pipe I am talking about. (mine was also full of tree roots) I was told it should be connected to the stormwater piping tho never found out where even tho I dug the whole length of pipe up.

Dave

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/39718#Comment_39718

Thank you @Dave-1 , @JoeAzza and @JacobZ .

i have done camera inspection and it does end up just 2m away and can’t track further.

All my down pipes are connected to new pvc pipes and run till end to the road.

the disconnected pipe goes under driveway and under patio I think. All these area is concreted till patio brick wall and I can see water behind patio wall when it rains heavily. And I feel that water slowly comes out of this disconnected pipe because water drains on the other side slowly.

the land slopes towards the area where you see disconnected pipe.

I could feel few roots in it but it gets enough water out when it rains.

So, as a first step I am thinking to dig trench further and get the pipe connected to storm water pipe where the level of both pipe evens out.

this way I feel atleast 90% of the water will be going out.

if it still pools lots of water, then I would do what @JacobZ suggested above.

Does that sound good? Please suggest

i can’t find the end of pipe as I have tried camera inspection, also tried pressure wash through the pipe.
when I did pressure wash, enough water went in and slowly started coming back.

@Dave-1 You are an inspiration. All I need is your reference for both water ingress and this issue. Thank you.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/82048#Comment_82048

Hi @approachmhn,

Your plan sounds good to me, keep us in the loop with how it goes.

I'd be happy to assist further if anything new pops up, so don't hesitate to ask.

Good luck.

Jacob

Nailbag

Its sounding like you have root damage that extends well past where you have been able to feel them with your hand @approachmhn. This would explain why high pressure water at one end is of a lot lower pressure at the other. Roots blocking the pipe and breaks throughout is causing the water to divert out of the pipe and seal into the surrounding ground.

Depending on the extent of the root damage, it is possible to have them professionally removed and the pipe repaired with an internal liner, but this is very exy and there is a cost to do the investigation. But might still be worth a quote in any case and then you have @JacobZ suggestion off a soakaway system. These are very effective and have helped a mate install 2 off these in his front yard. he lives on the side of a hill and is effected by natural underground water rising.

Regards, Nailbag

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/82048#Comment_82048

Evening @approachmhn

🙂 Thank you for your comment.

I like your solution, its what I would do and I would keep an eye on the area as well, just to make sure it dosnt get too boggy/wet.

Dave

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/39718#Comment_39718

Hi @Dave-1,

on the higher side of the house, I dug along old storm water pipe and found this (pic attached)
As you mentioned in your comment above, I see a plastic wrapped around a pipe and running till end of house. Then connected to a clay pipe.
is this how your Drain pipe looked?

Because when I hose down the soil along the length of the house next to fence, all the water gets into this pipe and flows all the way to the lower I.e. other side of the house next to driveway and comes out of unconnected pipe.

Looks like it acts as a French drain.

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/82620#Comment_82620

Hi @approachmhn, if plastic is actually wrapped around the pipe and not underneath or off the the side, it sounds like they were attempting to prevent water from coming out of it instead of replacing it, hence why the water is leaching. Do you have any photos?

Also is there any water coming out of the end connection in to the clay pipe?

Nailbag

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/106102#Comment_106102

Thanks @Nailbag

All the water from end connection is getting into clay pipe.
I hosed down from the other side, and I see water flowing through the clay pipe.
I don’t see any leak from plastic wrapped pipe.
I also put the hose into the opening in clay pipe. I could run the hose nearly 3 metres on both sides into the pipe.
when I turned on the water, it just flows through clay pipe.

Also I noticed that plastic wrapped pipe is not hard one like PVC. looks like it is soft like an agi pipe. But not sure.

that little pool of water you see in photo is because of rain. I covered the dug area with tarpaulin but somehow rain water seeped through.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120208#Comment_120208

Evening @approachmhn

Mmmm maybe a little more gentle excavation is needed. Trying to figure out where pipes are going is problematic as we wernt the ones who "used common sense" and installed the pipes lol

The description you give does make me think of old drainage pipe next to foundations but no way could you be sure until you find where it connects up to. A plumber and a camera would help in finding what pipes are what. Do any of the three pipes in your photo join up together?

Dave

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/120208#Comment_120208

Hi @approachmhn That wrapped pipe if its black or white with slots in it, then is an ag pipe.

That capped pipe that was leaking water when it rains is definitely connected to either an agri system or storm water. If agri, it will be from. your property somewhere. If it's stormwater, it's possibly from either your property or even someone else's. I wouldn't have thought so myself, but a mate of mine has storm water outlets from neighbouring properties within his. And apparently decades ago this was common as ridiculous as it seams.

As @Dave-1 mentioned you might have to Dig up more ground, but to be honest this could go on forever. So I would go with his suggestion to get your plumber or one that has a camera to investigate.

Nailbag

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/128881#Comment_128881

Thanks @Dave-1 and @Nailbag

Plumber will come and check tomorrow. Will update after his inspection.

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/128881#Comment_128881

If the water is coming from neighbours property, and they are not ready to fix. Is there any option to deal with this?

With my neighbour’s permission, I hosed out water on neighbours side. Also, directly into storm water pipe. I don’t see any water coming out on the kerb side. But I see water coming out on my side through the pipe.

when I tried to talk, they were not ready to accept. They said all good on their side.

Any suggestions will help. Thanks

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134386#Comment_134386

Afternoon @approachmhn

Mmmmm Did you get a plumber to look at your pipes? If so you could hit them up for the ruling and where to go from there.

Otherwise -

-Your water company you are with, Id contact them and ask what is the rules. They may have FAQ on their website

-Contact your local council and ask, if they have rules and who enforces them. They may have FAQ on their website

If these arnt satisfactory then finding where the water crosses the boundry may be an option but only the last option. Working out how and where to fix it would be the least head achy id say.

We have heard that older systems did "share" pipes when they were not supposed to (years ago) maybe that could be a reason.

Dave

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137912#Comment_137912

Hi @Dave-1 ,

plumber was here today. He did camera inspection on my property as well as neighbours.

Neighbour’s old terracotta pipe is blocked towards the kerbside and broken at some places.
plumber told neighbours water might be just soaking into the ground and I might be catching that water. Cant say definitely.
He gave me 4 options:

1) Block the clay pipe and simply leave it. Water getting into pipe might just get soaked into ground and issue might resolve.

2) Remove all clay pipes from the ground. Block the end of clay pipe that goes under deck.

Dig a pit and pump water by connecting to storm water down pipe next to it.

3) Take out deck panels, dig under the deck and connect a pvc pipe. where ever he gets certain angle, connect it to existing storm water pipe.

4) put a new agi drain till the kerb side.

he said option 3&4 are expensive compared to 1 & 2.

Not sure which ones to go with.

any suggestions please?

Thanks

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140311#Comment_140311

Afternoon @approachmhn

Yeah thought it was heading towards those scenerios...

That comes down to pretty much your call.

Easy option with might be an answer for short term.

Harder option answer for long term.

For my place I chose the harder option 🙂 I dont regret it but it was a large job, check out my projects for stormwater rectification. I dont worry at all anymore about stormwater. And it also has future capacity if I ever want to extend the drain.

Maybe have a think about it and list things you want to do in the yard that the solutions would impact (shed guttering, concrete path, concrete slab) that may help decide what option to take. Do you have a preference already? There are no wrong answers, everyone comes up against these things. It is what YOU want and are comfortable with 🙂

Dave

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142043#Comment_142043

Thanks @Dave-1 .

My first choice is option 3.

second choice is option 2 but I am afraid the pump might be too loud.

Any idea about how loud pump might be. And also if we need to do any maintenance?

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143293#Comment_143293

Afternoon @approachmhn

The pump wouldnt be loud as its generally submerged.

And yes there will be maintence on it.

At least checking it and pulling it out of the water every month or so. Also depends on how much water is flowing into the pit will determine the size of pump. Think everything form a pond pump and upwards depending on how much water soak into the area. You will need a float switch for it as well.

You could always dig a hole/trench and then see how fast it fills by itself and then go from there.

Dave

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143293#Comment_143293

Hello @approachmhn

That is excellent advice coming from @Dave-1. The only thing I would add to the suggestion made is to use an Everhard Series 450 Stormwater Pit Case with a provision for an overflow pipe just in case you get a deluge. I propose looking at the Ozito 350W Dirty Water Submersible Water Pump as a possible pump for your project.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144217#Comment_144217

Thanks for the information @Dave-1

Going by this I still feel option 3 is better. A bit of work in pulling out some deck panels and digging to lay pipe.
The land is sloping down, so somewhere we should be able to connect it to existing storm water pipe.

Just need to do some more analysis.
It’s hard to decide now. Fingers crossed

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144899#Comment_144899

🙂 @approachmhn

Its always better to have a plan worked out, makes me breath easier when I am doing it and also as I tick off the stages.

One suggestion, if you are digging up anywhere think of laying a pice of pipe in as extra 🙂 Orange underground PVC as a just in case you may want to run a cable, network, whatever through it down the track, minimal extra cost but man saved effort. When I did the lights in my fron yard I also ran an extra 50mm electrical conduit through all my cable pits just in case 🙂 Havnt used it in the several years since I was installed it but its there in case I want say an electric gate 🙂

Dave

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145432#Comment_145432

Thank you @Dave-1 . That’s a nice suggestion.

And thanks @EricL for showing me the right products.

I have got an idea. Need your advice to know how feasible it is.

If I take out all clay pipe from the ground.
Then install https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhard-series-450-stormwater-pit-case-only_p4771372 . Connect both sides with a pvc pipe I.e water inflow pipe at low end of pit and outflow pipe at higher end of pit.

This gives me enough gap and also slope to run the pipe under deck and connect to existing storm water pvc pipe.

So, I don’t have to use submersible Pump.
when water rises in the pit, it flows out through higher end.

attached photo from lower end of deck and also my not so perfect drawing.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/145847#Comment_145847

Hi @approachmhn

The only thing that worries me is if the pit is overwhelmed with a large amount of rainwater from a strong storm. The pipe could get inundated with too much water causing a vacum lock. It's better to have a pump so that water is forced out out of the pit even in very heavy rain.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146165#Comment_146165

Thanks @EricL . Got it.
Can it be solved if we put a larger pit?

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146434#Comment_146434

Hi @approachmhn

I'm afraid not, you'll be eventually just making more room for water to collect in.

Eric

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146647#Comment_146647

Thank you @EricL.

The slope is about 1.2 m.

The other option I think of is take out 2-3 deck panels, run pvc pipe under deck and connect at a place where fall meets with other storm water pipe.
Apologies, if I am asking too many questions.
Just analysing scenarios before going for a fix. Thanks

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146825#Comment_146825

Hi @approachmhn yes thats an excellent idea. Just remember that legally, only a licensed plumber should be making that final connection to the stormwater point.

Nailbag

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/146971#Comment_146971

That sounds like a good option, @approachmhn.

Mitchell

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/147086#Comment_147086

Morning @approachmhn

One more thing to add about any standing water in a pit is you will get mossquitos.

Having a system that dosnt require maintenece and will work in a downpour while you are inside nice and dry except for running out to see if you work is working as it should be is a lot less worrying.

Dave

Child Item