We moved into our new home 5 months ago. Built about 1950-60 I reckon.
There is a horrific musty smell, mainly in the kitchen but sometimes through the plugholes in the upstairs bathroom.
It seems to get worse when it rains.
In the kitchen, I pin-pointed the smell and lifted a few floorboards. Underneath the joists is a shaft made of brick, about 4 feet square and coated with bitumen. There was 6 inches of stagnant water inside. I drained this but the smell is still there.
I notice after a heavy rainfall that the water drains away outside through one particular area of monoblocking. Does this indicate a collapsed drain below ground level?
There are no visible rodding eyes or manhole covers anywhere.
And does anyone know what that brick thingy is?
Thanks.
There is a horrific musty smell, mainly in the kitchen but sometimes through the plugholes in the upstairs bathroom.
It seems to get worse when it rains.
In the kitchen, I pin-pointed the smell and lifted a few floorboards. Underneath the joists is a shaft made of brick, about 4 feet square and coated with bitumen. There was 6 inches of stagnant water inside. I drained this but the smell is still there.
I notice after a heavy rainfall that the water drains away outside through one particular area of monoblocking. Does this indicate a collapsed drain below ground level?
There are no visible rodding eyes or manhole covers anywhere.
And does anyone know what that brick thingy is?
Thanks.
