Could there be water under house?

honeybee3939

Hi

We have sold our property and have put an offer on a property which as been accepted. Everything is going through and a house survey should be taking place very shortly.

My question is that after heavy rain we noticed that the front garden had a very large amount of water which hadnt drained away but a couple of days with no rain it had gone. We have had a word with neighbours who have had the same problem, the problem been that the front gardens are alot lower then the house its self. Some of the neighbours have raised there garden level to stop this problem but i am a concerned that they may be water under the house, the house is approx 100 years old. I know the surveyors wont check under the floor boards and im not quite sure who to ask to check it out? Although the house is empty have we a right to be able to get someone to check that under the house is dry and if so who would be the best people to ask?

Thankyou for any reponces in advance.

selectcase

A full buildings survey would highlight any problems like this however water will hang around after heavy rain

budget_counsellor_shaz

Hi honeybee,

If its flooding that is your concern you can check out this website.

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/826674/829803/?version=1&lang=_e

Just enter your postcode.

Shaz

PasturesNew

I knew somebody some years back that had to have the area under their floor tanked because it would get very wet and fill with water when it rained... and the water was seeping in through the ground from ....












... a graveyard next door




ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Jonbvn

Hi,

I am a civil/struct engineer by profession, although I don't work in the residential business.

From what you are describing, I would guess that your house & garden may have poor draining soil, such as clay (common in London & SE). Since the level of the garden is generally lower than the surrounding areas, water will obviously accumulate there, and slowly drain into the soil. To address this problem, you could raise the level of the garden, or perhaps dig a French drain.

Of course there will be ground water under the house at some level, most likely below the foundations. This is quite normal. Generally speaking, the majority of subsidence is caused by drying out, not too much water.