50cm of standing water in floor void

Walshy252

Hi all

Many thanks to those that supported with advice on my query ref cowboy neighbours. Unfortunately this isn't the only saga with our newly bought house.

We knew prior to purchase there was a damp issue in the downstairs bay window and were quoted to install a chemical DPC. Our survey acknowledged the damp issue though offered no potential cause. On moving day we decided to investigate more deeply and pulled up (and ruined) the woodchip floor panels and were shocked to find roughly 50cm deep standing water beneath the floor... clearly found the cause of the damp wall..

So obviously a chemical DPC would just mask the actual issue so we spent the next week pumping the water out and have now got it down to small puddles in the foundations. There is some mud and sediment which I have scooped out and found the concrete foundations running through the floor void. The intention was to get the water level down and then make observations to understand whether it was due to a historic leak or a current live issue. We ruled out internal leak as there was no movement to our water meter in a 24 hour period with all taps turned off. Severn Trent also checked mains supply (stop !!!! on our drive) and found no issue.

Tonight I was mopping up what was left of the water and by sheer chance happened across this as shown in video. It shows bubbles rising through the concrete foundations with a small amount of water. This takes place roughly once every 40 seconds and is only visible now the water level is down.

http://sendvid.com/uzak493p

Wondering whether anyone can offer an opinion on this. It must have taken a number of years for this to build to 50cm deep and may not be the only reason, but is a concerning find as the level of ventilation down there would not just simply remove the moisture. I'm wondering whether there is just a breach in the concrete and whether simply adding another few inches of concrete to the top of the existing foundations would help seal it up.

Thoughts appreciated and solutions rewarded with beer /gratitude

southcoastrgi

The video link doesn't work it says 404 video could not be found

Walshy252

Apologies dud video is no help to anyone

New link below and comments much appreciated

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2Ixfuer4A1SMGVSbVZvRUJRYlU/view?usp=drivesdk

Browntoa

Is it water bubbling up ? Looks like air bubbles to me from the video

Others may take an other view

tacpot12

I don't think a bit of concrete will do it. I think you will need to install drainage outside the foundations so the water table is lower than the ground under the house. Then ventilation will be sufficient.

I suggest you consult an engineer who has experience in remedial groundworks.

Walshy252

@Browntoa Yes water is coming up, enough to soak 4 sheets of kitchen roll over roughly 45 mins

@tacpot12 sounds like a useful next step, is there a good place to start looking for this expertise?