Damp problem possibly caused by leaking drain. Any advice?

[Mottie]

We've lived in our house since 1990 and I’ve had the floor up in places quite a few times over the years and it’s always been the same - as dusty and dry as hell. Having the floor up in places during my kitchen refit I’ve noticed damp dirt and dust along the flank wall as well as a smell of damp. It extends approximately 9” from the wall. I’ve brushed the dirt/dust away and came to what looks like the top of the footings that the flank wall is built on. I’ve never noticed this before, ever. Also, if you look on the underside of one piece of floorboard, you can see traces of slug slime so it’s damp enough for slugs! I’m just wondering if Thames water didn’t make a water tight connection between my cast iron soil stack and the new clay drains they replaced last year - you can see the location of the pipe in the diagram. Any suggestions - get on to Thames Water or my insurance company?

Snail traces

Damp

Diagram showing location of damp and soil stack

 

[ree]

OP,
Why not post pics of the outside of both the walls in question?
Is there a down pipe and/or gully in the area?
Do any water pipes run in the area of your pic?
Can you show any air bricks on your sketch?
Rusty nails typically indicate a lack of crawl space ventilation & an excess of humid air.
All scraps of wood should be removed from the crawl space.
Did the Utility make the new repairs because you are on a shared sewage system?
Checking the soil pipe or its drain for leakage is simple enough if you can access a manhole or IC.

 

[Mottie]

Checking the soil pipe or its drain for leakage is simple enough if you can access a manhole or IC.

When they renewed the drains, they created an inspection chamber about 5 ft away, in my drive. I’ve been on to them and they are coming out to check the joint with a camera.

 

[danfre]

It could be possible to do a air pressure test, or maybe a bung at manhole and water test depending on pipework

 

[HERTS P&D]

Bung the soil stack where it enters the manhole and use dye in the upstairs toilet.

But hopfully the drain camera will find any problems, make sure you are home and make them tea and biscuits. Ask to see the camera going up the drain line and for them to point out any faults.

Andy

 

[Mottie]

Bung the soil stack where it enters the manhole and use dye in the upstairs toilet.

But hopfully the drain camera will find any problems, make sure you are home and make them tea and biscuits. Ask to see the camera going up the drain line and for them to point out any faults.

Andy

Hmmm. I might have cured it! I found a cracked waste pipe where it goes through the the wall. I replaced that but that was a job and a half! Still going to let Thames Water check it with a camera though.

 

[Mottie]

When they renewed the drains, they created an inspection chamber about 5 ft away, in my drive. I’ve been on to them and they are coming out to check the joint with a camera.

Well they’re working odd hours these days!

 

[Mottie]

They actually turned up just after 8.00 this morning. Checked with a camera and told me everything was fine. I’m pretty sure now it was a cracked sink drain in or right next to the wall. I may have possibly cracked it a year or so ago (the crack was not visible with the old kitchen units in) when I was mucking about fitting a one way valve in case the drain backed up into my sink and then again removing it when the drains were done. I suppose they must get a bit brittle after 25 years.

 

[Mottie]

make sure you are home and make them tea and biscuits.

I offered them tea or coffee but they were keen to spend 10 minutes with a camera and half an hour in the van writing it up.