Just uncovered a Man Hole under our Living Room Floor? What's it for? Why is it here?

bobbentos

Hi all

We are renovating an old run down terraced House. To give you an idea of the House condition we have had to take every ceiling down and take every piece of plaster of every wall. This is not a problem as we knew the state of the House when we bought it and it was priced accordingly. Also, the House has only been lived in by a lady who recently died at over 100 years old, and I am told it was lived in by her parents before her. The House wasn't even listed on the land registry! That should give an indication of the House etc. There has never been any serious work done on this House except a re roof about 5 years ago. There is even an Outside Toilet in the Shed that is in perfect working order!

So...Now, while the House is a Shell the last thing to do is the Living Room Floor. It was noticed at first viewing that the Living Room Floor bows up into the middle like a volcano. Of course, we knew it needed remedying and we summised that with this being A CONCRETE Living Room floor then only Water Pressure could of caused the Concrete to bow upwards & crack down the full length like this???

So.....on to today and we have started smashing through the concrete floor. It is literally about 3 inches thick! We started along the crack that occured (it looks like it was repaired about 10 - 20 years ago) and have removed about a Metre square of concrete in the middle of the living room. I don't know what I expected to find under the Concrete Living Room Floor, but I didn't expect to find a Manhole! Yes, a Manhole, that has previously been filled in with old ridge tiles, bricks, stones etc. Now, I'm guessing the floor has risen & cracked at the point of the Manhole because at some time or other Water has risen up that Manhole and forced the concrete upwards. Would I be right in assuming this?

It is worth pointing out that when we purchased the House the survey said the area was a flood risk area. However, in this Part of Manchester (Atherton) they say that about every House because it's an old Mining area. I know that because I live here too! Also, this is a HEAVILLY populated area with many, many terraced Houses. This particular House is smack bang in the middle of a block of terraced Houses on a long Road. There are many Houses on our side and also on the opposite side of the Road. None of the other Houses are empty, flooded etc. So, that rules out a serious flood problem. There is no sign of Water problems here. There are also no Rivers, lakes, ponds, canals anywhere close by. I am confident there is no serious Water/Flood risk etc as many of the Houses on the Street have been purchased in recent years. So...Back to my problem...

Why would there be a Manhole in the middle of a House Floor?

Any guesses what this Manhole would of been for?
Any ideas what we should do? Fill it with concrete?

Thanks all....

Ps. we are not planning on living in the House until it is done and there's no big rush, so we can take our time.

Any old Builders in who recognise this 'Problem'?

Cheers all

keystone

This is going to be fun. No I have no idea why sorry but am looking forward to the forum speculation team closing up in short order to deliver all sorts of ideas.

Cheers

af2909_2

keystone wrote: »

This is going to be fun. No I have no idea why sorry but am looking forward to the forum speculation team closing up in short order to deliver all sorts of ideas.

Cheers

Only suggestion could be to clear out and get a CCTV survey to see if it's connected to drain run.

fed_up_and_stressed

Im definately no diy'er but i suggest you speak to the local waterboard for your area

bryanb

af2909 wrote: »

Only suggestion could be to clear out and get a CCTV survey to see if it's connected to drain run.

Or open nearby inspection covers, pour in coloured water and watch for it in the drains system. A bit cheaper than cctv.

Hasbeen

Could be that the floor has settled over the years and the "manhole" has remained as built?

Is it square or round? - old filled up well?

Depends how deep it is when emptied and any outlets before filling with concrete.

Would hope an forum expert comes along to help you

mishmogs

I did wonder if it was a vent shaft for a canal but that cannot be it.

I think its an old well, a very old well but I would do the dye test.

You could write to the Coal Authority and ask them, What showed up on the Local Search/ Environment/Water Searches? I would go back to your solicitors and ask them to show you the search results. Were you given the old papers for your house upon completion? I have mine, and they may give you some information (long shot)!

Have a look on old OS Maps as they may show a spur off some type of waterway or ask your local historical group.

Hmm interesting and I hope harmless for you!

southcoastrgi

could it be a vent for an old mine (if you go down & find gold i claim half for suggesting it)

thefishdude

has the house been exended many many many years ago over an old ally way perhaps and it wasd amn hole in an allyway

Jaynne

Its not a drain that's the entrance to the secret underground bunker.

Morganarla

I'd be scared to open it in case I found bodies! :eek::eek::eek: