Flooding in basement

propertypooch

We've just had the results back from the survey on the house and the surveyor came back and told us that when he went round, the basement has flooded. According to the vendors for the first time (we don't believe this, they've been very difficult).

The house is victorian, and there is a sub-hole in the basement...he also mentioned about rising damp in the kitchen.

We're so close to signing, but we would be crazy to buy a property that is liable to flooding, even if it is only an inch.


Are there any solutions or should we get out?

Help!

N79

Ask your surveyor - they will point you in the right direction and its what you pay them for!

bris

It can be tanked, but is expensive, if you really like the property try and negotiate on the price to reflect this. The vendors will struggle sell ing the property with a flooded basement anyway so a deal could be done if they are reasonable about it.

Jenniefour

An inch of water means there's water coming from somewhere and tanking isn't going to solve that. That is not normal damp cellar. Someone needs to find out exactly where this water is coming from, if possible, and then explain what work needs to be done. Get back to your surveyor to ask who should take a good look at it. It may turn out to be something that is easily fixed or it may turn out to be a much bigger job, such a nearby leaking mains water. If what the vendors are saying is true - it's the first time - then there is a problem. If what they're saying isn't true and its happened before then there is still a problem which they're trying to conceal. Don't buy until you're satisfied you know exactly what's going on.

poppysarah

It's not been raining a bit has it?
Imagine if it rained a lot ...

poppysarah

Jenniefour wrote: »

Don't buy until you're satisfied you know exactly what's going on.

Very useful advice.

Do not be rushed.

G_M

1) A pipe has burst/is leaking in the house.
2) A mains has burst nearby.
3) The washing machine flooded.
4) There's an underground stream nearby that's altered course/overflowed.
5) It's been raining hard and this happens every time.
........

Cost to you to fix after you buy:
1) £50 - 500
2) £0 (but 6 months nightmare)
3) £50
4) £2000 - £20,000
5) £1000 - £20,000

oneeye1

walk away believe me

propertypooch

thanks to everyone.

the surveyor suggests that it is residual water coming in....and we could install a pump...however we would be still left with a house where the basement floods. We really like the property but are not sure whether we would be mugs by taking on a property with the that risk...

I know it's ultimately our decision, but any thoughts on which way to play it?

Jowo_2

I take it there's no drain in it which is common to some cellars and will just wick away any ingress or is it blocked or not coping with the water coming in? Could you speak to the neighbours and see if they are affected or if this is a rare event?

Someone suggested tanking it and I think I recall an earlier thread where someone says the problem is that it can divert ground water into the neighbouring problem and expose a person to litigation. Not sure if I am providing reliable recall, though.

Jenniefour

Ask the surveyor who he can now recommend to get in there and try and find out what's causing the problem. Personally, and it's up to you, I wouldn't go for installing a pump and I know some people would be very happy with that as a solution. G_M's post very helpful - what you need to know is why there was an inch of water on the cellar floor, where did it come from. An inch is quite a lot of water.