Hello everyone,
Brief details: Single-family house with a basement made of precast concrete parts, built in 1979. The entire residential area was newly developed and built that same year. Located on the outskirts of town. The plot is connected to the road by a dead-end access path, with an elevation difference of about 2 meters (6.5 feet) between the road and the property.
After noticing that moisture returned following a water damage caused by heavy rain and subsequent building drying, we started looking for the cause. We have already excavated, sealed, and insulated part of the basement walls from the outside. Unfortunately, this did not change anything (except that our beautiful garden has been a construction site for months and the terrace was demolished).
We then decided to inspect the pipes and drainage with a sewer camera—our suspicion was a defect causing water buildup that then seeps into the house, or at least to get some clues about the condition of our pipes.
Yesterday, we lifted the inspection chamber outside on the property to access the pipes and insert the camera. However, at the bottom (which is about 4 meters (13 feet) deep), there is standing wastewater with a corresponding odor.
Here are my questions:
1. As far as I understand, there should actually be nothing standing down there—everything should flow away directly. Is that correct?
2. What does the bottom of an inspection chamber usually look like? According to the plans, there is a pipe coming from the house (which is visible) and an outlet pipe (which cannot be seen due to the level). I imagine a channel that leads directly into a "pit" opposite.
3. According to the officially approved wastewater plan from 1979, made during construction of our house, the drainage, rainwater from the roof, and wastewater are combined and led into the inspection chamber. The mixed water is then collectively discharged into the sewer system. Is this common? I always thought these were separated.
4. If we assume a blocked or defective wastewater pipe, should a company contracted by us fix it, or is it the municipality’s responsibility?
5. If we assume a blocked or defective wastewater pipe, is it possible that the rising water level from heavy rain pushes back into the pipes and drainage, preventing the rainwater "in the ground" from being drained, causing it to build up and push into the house? Wouldn’t we then have strongly smelling water inside the house? (We don’t, it’s just damp.)
I look forward to your feedback.
Best regards,
xola123
Brief details: Single-family house with a basement made of precast concrete parts, built in 1979. The entire residential area was newly developed and built that same year. Located on the outskirts of town. The plot is connected to the road by a dead-end access path, with an elevation difference of about 2 meters (6.5 feet) between the road and the property.
After noticing that moisture returned following a water damage caused by heavy rain and subsequent building drying, we started looking for the cause. We have already excavated, sealed, and insulated part of the basement walls from the outside. Unfortunately, this did not change anything (except that our beautiful garden has been a construction site for months and the terrace was demolished).
We then decided to inspect the pipes and drainage with a sewer camera—our suspicion was a defect causing water buildup that then seeps into the house, or at least to get some clues about the condition of our pipes.
Yesterday, we lifted the inspection chamber outside on the property to access the pipes and insert the camera. However, at the bottom (which is about 4 meters (13 feet) deep), there is standing wastewater with a corresponding odor.
Here are my questions:
1. As far as I understand, there should actually be nothing standing down there—everything should flow away directly. Is that correct?
2. What does the bottom of an inspection chamber usually look like? According to the plans, there is a pipe coming from the house (which is visible) and an outlet pipe (which cannot be seen due to the level). I imagine a channel that leads directly into a "pit" opposite.
3. According to the officially approved wastewater plan from 1979, made during construction of our house, the drainage, rainwater from the roof, and wastewater are combined and led into the inspection chamber. The mixed water is then collectively discharged into the sewer system. Is this common? I always thought these were separated.
4. If we assume a blocked or defective wastewater pipe, should a company contracted by us fix it, or is it the municipality’s responsibility?
5. If we assume a blocked or defective wastewater pipe, is it possible that the rising water level from heavy rain pushes back into the pipes and drainage, preventing the rainwater "in the ground" from being drained, causing it to build up and push into the house? Wouldn’t we then have strongly smelling water inside the house? (We don’t, it’s just damp.)
I look forward to your feedback.
Best regards,
xola123
Some key details are still missing,
- Is your house 2m (6.5 feet) above or below the street level,
- Was the precast concrete basement sealed as a black tank, white tank, or just with a coating,
- How was the transition from the slab to the basement walls sealed,
- Is it waterproof concrete (WU concrete),
- What diameter is your drain pipe to the sewer system
- Is your house 2m (6.5 feet) above or below the street level,
- Was the precast concrete basement sealed as a black tank, white tank, or just with a coating,
- How was the transition from the slab to the basement walls sealed,
- Is it waterproof concrete (WU concrete),
- What diameter is your drain pipe to the sewer system
The plot is about 2m (6.5 feet) above the street level.
The exterior basement walls were sealed with a fully adhered waterproofing membrane (instead of bitumen), extending down below the slab. Thick Styrodur boards were installed on top of that, followed by a studded membrane. A new drainage pipe with the correct slope was installed.
This was done by an experienced civil engineer from our family.
However, this has not yet been installed all around the house—currently only at the back and around one corner. The front side, where the inspection chamber is located, has not been done yet.
I don’t know the diameter; unfortunately, it’s not listed on the plans I have.
Only the drainage pipe is specified as 100mm (4 inches).
I also can’t say which concrete was used in 1979. I have no idea if waterproof concrete (e.g., WU concrete) was even available back then.
The exterior basement walls were sealed with a fully adhered waterproofing membrane (instead of bitumen), extending down below the slab. Thick Styrodur boards were installed on top of that, followed by a studded membrane. A new drainage pipe with the correct slope was installed.
This was done by an experienced civil engineer from our family.
However, this has not yet been installed all around the house—currently only at the back and around one corner. The front side, where the inspection chamber is located, has not been done yet.
I don’t know the diameter; unfortunately, it’s not listed on the plans I have.
Only the drainage pipe is specified as 100mm (4 inches).
I also can’t say which concrete was used in 1979. I have no idea if waterproof concrete (e.g., WU concrete) was even available back then.
N
nordanney6 Nov 2024 12:20xola123 schrieb:
Unfortunately, I can’t say which concrete was used in 1979. No idea if watertight concrete was even available back then.Watertight concrete has been around for much longer. However, modern standards only came into effect from the 1990s onwards. You can assume it’s not modern watertight concrete (if anything like that was used at all).xola123 schrieb:
This was done by an experienced civil engineer from our family.Then he should also advise you now on solving the water issue. He knows the conditions in and around the house.
Experience shows that water in the basement usually comes from rainwater from the roof and downspouts, from the property’s drainage system, or from an undersized drain during heavy rain.
xola123 schrieb:
I am also assuming it is not waterproof concrete,Then water could also seep through the base slab. You need a professional for this. It’s not possible to provide further help from a distance.Similar topics