WTH? What is it with this house and water???

I have a pond growing in my back yard, right at the foot of the deck. There is a patio walkway on one side of the steps, and water not only fills up in the space between the deck and the walkway, but on the other side as well (which is just straight ground and no walkway). Pete says it's because the walkway is blocking drainage, but that doesn't explain why it's filling up on the other side.

Considering we haven't had rain to speak of, any collection should have dried up long ago. So today I got out the ShopVac and sucked all the water up. Within about an hour it was filled up again.

I can't see any leaks and Metcom says there isn't a breach in the pipes. But that water is coming from somewhere and it's not just coming up from the ground.

So who would I call to look and possibly fix? A plumber? An excavator? A home improvement person? Who is the "find out where this water is coming from and fix it" guy?

WTH? What is it with this house and water???

I have a pond growing in my back yard, right at the foot of the deck. There is a patio walkway on one side of the steps, and water not only fills up in the space between the deck and the walkway, but on the other side as well (which is just straight ground and no walkway). Pete says it's because the walkway is blocking drainage, but that doesn't explain why it's filling up on the other side.

Considering we haven't had rain to speak of, any collection should have dried up long ago. So today I got out the ShopVac and sucked all the water up. Within about an hour it was filled up again.

I can't see any leaks and Metcom says there isn't a breach in the pipes. But that water is coming from somewhere and it's not just coming up from the ground.

So who would I call to look and possibly fix? A plumber? An excavator? A home improvement person? Who is the "find out where this water is coming from and fix it" guy?
Does it smell or look dirty? Is your hose under the deck? Are there any pipes or tubes under your deck? It has to be something more than your A/C drain if it fills up that fast. I'll look at it tomorrow when/if I stop by.

WTH? What is it with this house and water???

I have a pond growing in my back yard, right at the foot of the deck. There is a patio walkway on one side of the steps, and water not only fills up in the space between the deck and the walkway, but on the other side as well (which is just straight ground and no walkway). Pete says it's because the walkway is blocking drainage, but that doesn't explain why it's filling up on the other side.

Considering we haven't had rain to speak of, any collection should have dried up long ago. So today I got out the ShopVac and sucked all the water up. Within about an hour it was filled up again.

I can't see any leaks and Metcom says there isn't a breach in the pipes. But that water is coming from somewhere and it's not just coming up from the ground.

So who would I call to look and possibly fix? A plumber? An excavator? A home improvement person? Who is the "find out where this water is coming from and fix it" guy?

You mentioned your having a party tomorrow so poll your male guest - see what they have to say - maybe they see something that hasn't been seen before. You know... a 2nd set of eyes sorta thing. It is Saturday.. a weekend and a service call is more expensive on the weekend than say Monday or Tuesday (provide you aren't dealing with a river flowing at the moment). If they cannot figure it out, I'd suggest calling the Plumber first. Of course, they will check for leaks and advise you if you have a drainage problem.

I'm sure the thought of some expensive problem is bugging you though so hopefully it isn't anything complex and costly.

Its gotta be a water or septic pipe leaking under ground. Be pretty obvious it was septic though. Like IS said, seems to be to much to be coming from A/C condensate drain.

The more I think about it, I bet it is the A/C drain water. The A/C puts out more water than you think and depending on how and where it drains that area could simply be saturated. A lot of hot weather lately with A/C running constantly.

Its gotta be a water or septic pipe leaking under ground. Be pretty obvious it was septic though. Like IS said, seems to be to much to be coming from A/C condensate drain.

The more I think about it, I bet it is the A/C drain water. The A/C puts out more water than you think and depending on how and where it drains that area could simply be saturated. A lot of hot weather lately with A/C running constantly.

It's not septic - no telltale pew. It might be AC - I've been running it a lot the past couple of months. If I were smarter I'd have made a note of when it started so I could pinpoint a change that might have caused it. Alas....

But even so, I still want it gone. Standing water right by the house is no good. It breeds mosquitoes and mosquitoes can kill me with West Nile Virus. I read that on the internets.

It's not septic - no telltale pew. It might be AC - I've been running it a lot the past couple of months. If I were smarter I'd have made a note of when it started so I could pinpoint a change that might have caused it. Alas....

But even so, I still want it gone. Standing water right by the house is no good. It breeds mosquitoes and mosquitoes can kill me with West Nile Virus. I read that on the internets.

Has it always been wet in that area? If so, you might be dealing with an underground spring. If not, I'd tend to agree with the poster who says it's the AC. Can you contact the prior owner to see if it was an issue with them?

Perhaps you could put in a rain garden there. If you're worried about mosquitos, get some mosquito dunks & toss them out there (but check the labels first to make sure they're safe for dogs & cats. I know they don't hurt fish but I'm not sure about other animals.)

Seems this always happens to Vrai just before company comes over for a backyard party.

mosquito dunks
I did not even know this existed - thank you!

Seems this always happens to Vrai just before company comes over for a backyard party.
Shhh....it's a good way to get mens to fix my chit.

If the ground is completely saturated it's not the AC. You've seen my unit and it doesn't put out enough to saturate the ground in that area. You have to have a leak in the water pipes somewhere. And with the ground as dry as it is, it would suck up any water that AC unit can put out. Does the water company indicate you're using more water than usual?

If the ground is completely saturated it's not the AC. You've seen my unit and it doesn't put out enough to saturate the ground in that area. You have to have a leak in the water pipes somewhere. And with the ground as dry as it is, it would suck up any water that AC unit can put out. Does the water company indicate you're using more water than usual?

:whistle:

:whistle: :smack: Behave yourself.

:smack: Behave yourself.

:razz:

:razz::roflmao:

Does the water company indicate you're using more water than usual?

Nope. They even came out and checked in person. Even if it's just one of those things, I'd still like to have a pump or something that gets rid of it. Sucking all that crap up with the ShopVac, then cleaning it out only to have the water fill right back up again, wasn't really all that much fun.

Nope. They even came out and checked in person. Even if it's just one of those things, I'd still like to have a pump or something that gets rid of it. Sucking all that crap up with the ShopVac, then cleaning it out only to have the water fill right back up again, wasn't really all that much fun.

How deep is it? I have a pump, but it needs about an inch to work in.

Vrai, do you know if you have a sump pump. The way our house is laid out the ac condensing water goes down to our sump pump that then shoots the water out into our yard through a pipe that exits our house exactly under where our rear deck would be. Sometimes the pipe is buried underground and sometimes it is above the ground. As hot as it has been recently our sump pump has been kicking on 4 -5 times a day. Just a thought.

Nope. They even came out and checked in person. Even if it's just one of those things, I'd still like to have a pump or something that gets rid of it. Sucking all that crap up with the ShopVac, then cleaning it out only to have the water fill right back up again, wasn't really all that much fun.
Last Spring I filled in the low spots with dirt and dug some drainage troughs in my back yard to channel the water away from the house. I also had to put in some of that black tubing to assist in the drainage. It worked great when the rains came. It might be an option for you if the problem isn't something man (or woman) made.

So who would I call to look and possibly fix? A plumber? An excavator? A home improvement person? Who is the "find out where this water is coming from and fix it" guy?


The Ocean City Life guard? :shrug:

perforated drainage piping, cover by sm crush rock, then lil soil, reseed. not the same as private field lines type, but similar.

French drains are nice 2 if no downspouts to divert rain water.

may need a sm trencher or ditch witch. :shrug:

or chk this out. How to Install Perforated Drainage Pipes | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_7827771_install_perforated_drainage-pipes.html)

Oohhh...great suggestion! :yay:

Vrai, do you know if you have a sump pump. The way our house is laid out the ac condensing water goes down to our sump pump that then shoots the water out into our yard through a pipe that exits our house exactly under where our rear deck would be. Sometimes the pipe is buried underground and sometimes it is above the ground. As hot as it has been recently our sump pump has been kicking on 4 -5 times a day. Just a thought.

I do have a sump pump but it has a pipe that goes way out into the yard.

BUT! If that is the problem, who do you call to redirect it or build a drain? What kind of business does that?

Vrai, do you know if your sump pump exit pipe, exits your house in the area the water is collecting?? If the sump pump exit pipe exits in another area of the yard then this probably is not the problem. When you say the pipe goes way out into the yard do you know if the pipe is laying in the direction the water is collecting??

Just throwing another possibility out there; your washing machine have a overflow pan under it with the drain exiting out there? Washers on the 2nd floor usually have a safety pan installed in case of leaks.

So Vrai, did you get any ideas yesterday about the standing water?

I do have a sump pump but it has a pipe that goes way out into the yard.

BUT! If that is the problem, who do you call to redirect it or build a drain? What kind of business does that?

Had a similar problem at our house and it was indeed A/C condensate. You would be very surprised how much they put out in the heat of summer. It was not at all unusual for us to get a 5 gallon bucket full in less than 24 hours.

Call and escavating company to come with a small backhoe, dig a trench and put in a drain pipe that runs it well away from the house. Pretty easy fix really...for someone who has the equipment and knows what they are doing.

Don't even think you have to do that, if the problem just started, it could be blocked or broken PVC. Since there is not always water in that pipe, i don't think it has to be buried below the frost line, but i could be wrong. If that is the problem i would jst dig up around where the water is collecting and look at the pvc pipe and ig out from there.if the water is collectng along the path of the pvc pipe.

So Vrai, did you get any ideas yesterday about the standing water?

Yep. I think the consensus is that I have a broken water pipe. The water is not coming from inside the house but from underground, and we can see under the deck where it appears to be coming up from.

So tomorrow I'll call the plumber and see what he has to say.

10-4 good luck.

So tomorrow I'll call the plumber and see what he has to say.




turn the water off to the house .......

MetCom is on their way out to look! :thewave:

but if it's between you house and the meter, Metcom isnt on the hook for it. What they will do is have you turn off the water in the house, and look at the meter. If the meter is still running, you have a leak, and that you have to pay for.

Yep. I think the consensus is that I have a broken water pipe. The water is not coming from inside the house but from underground, and we can see under the deck where it appears to be coming up from.

So tomorrow I'll call the plumber and see what he has to say.
I heard (I think on T-bone and Heather) that a bad ground on the house can cause enough electrolosys to cause the water pipes to essentially disintegrate in the soil.

but if it's between you house and the meter, Metcom isnt on the hook for it. What they will do is have you turn off the water in the house, and look at the meter. If the meter is still running, you have a leak, and that you have to pay for.

It could be a Sump Pump line as well.. just not making it out to the actual drain..

but if it's between you house and the meter, Metcom isnt on the hook for it. What they will do is have you turn off the water in the house, and look at the meter. If the meter is still running, you have a leak, and that you have to pay for.

:yeahthat: I had to have the entire line from the road to the house replaced at a cost of almost $900. And that was 10 years ago before copper costs skyrocketed.

Anyway, the leak is in the backyard, right? So it's probably not the main water feed, that would come in from the front yard and the street. I doubt they would wrap the incoming line around the end of the house and come in thru the backyard.

Let us know, Vrai. You have us all curious!

:yeahthat: I had to have the entire line from the road to the house replaced at a cost of almost $900. And that was 10 years ago before copper costs skyrocketed.

Anyway, the leak is in the backyard, right? So it's probably not the main water feed, that would come in from the front yard and the street. I doubt they would wrap the incoming line around the end of the house and come in thru the backyard.

Let us know, Vrai. You have us all curious!

Dont be sure about that. the line I just had replaced in Dec did just that, went past the house, then turned and went to the middle of the rear and entered there. The new line goes about 9/10ths of the house, then enters the crawlspace there. Was done using thick plastic. Whatever scrub did it the last time, say 1999/2000, right before I bought, used a thin plastic, kept failing.

but if it's between you house and the meter, Metcom isnt on the hook for it. What they will do is have you turn off the water in the house, and look at the meter. If the meter is still running, you have a leak, and that you have to pay for.

I suspect this is going to be my problem, but they're coming out to look anyway. Will let you know what he says.

MetCom guy says that what's leaking is the piping coming from the sump pump and he showed me exactly where the problem was. So what needs to happen is a different solution for sump pump drainage, which is what Pete told me months ago. :lol:

For now, I will duct tape it and call the plumber tomorrow.

MetCom guy says that what's leaking is the piping coming from the sump pump and he showed me exactly where the problem was. So what needs to happen is a different solution for sump pump drainage, which is what Pete told me months ago. :lol:

For now, I will duct tape it and call the plumber tomorrow.

Pete was right and you didn't listen? :lol:

:yeahthat: I had to have the entire line from the road to the house replaced at a cost of almost $900. And that was 10 years ago before copper costs skyrocketed.

Anyway, the leak is in the backyard, right? So it's probably not the main water feed, that would come in from the front yard and the street. I doubt they would wrap the incoming line around the end of the house and come in thru the backyard.

Let us know, Vrai. You have us all curious!

Well, that was a bargain, even still! I had to replace a piece of PVC pipe which was small little 2" piece. The part cost $50.00. The backhoe & guy to dig and replace that part was $1700.00. My TH front yard is about 15' wide. :rolleyes:

Well, that was a bargain, even still! I had to replace a piece of PVC pipe which was small little 2" piece. The part cost $50.00. The backhoe & guy to dig and replace that part was $1700.00. My TH front yard is about 15' wide. :rolleyes:

You got the wrong guys.....my line was about 150', included the backhoe, the line, including running the line through the foundation and the hookup. total was $1100. My boys at Downs hooking it up as usually.

Pete was right and you didn't listen? :lol:

He gets to chalk that one up - usually it's me that's right and he doesn't listen. :lol:

You got the wrong guys.....my line was about 150', included the backhoe, the line, including running the line through the foundation and the hookup. total was $1100. My boys at Downs hooking it up as usually.

Contact info or business name, please? Looks like I'm going to need their services.

Pete was right and you didn't listen? :lol:

I do want to say, that Pete is bigger better stronger than me and faster than a speeding bullet but, never having seen or been to Vrai's house in less 2 hours of her post i did post this. " Vrai, do you know if you have a sump pump. The way our house is laid out the ac condensing water goes down to our sump pump that then shoots the water out into our yard through a pipe that exits our house exactly under where our rear deck would be. Sometimes the pipe is buried underground and sometimes it is above the ground. As hot as it has been recently our sump pump has been kicking on 4 -5 times a day. Just a thought. "
How about a little popcorn?

Contact info or business name, please? Looks like I'm going to need their services.

Vrai, can't believe, your sump pump PVC pipe is buried down so far that you need a backhoe there. Ours is is only like 12 - 14 inches down. I think i may be missing something here.

He gets to chalk that one up - usually it's me that's right and he doesn't listen. :lol:

You may need to update your I'm Right tread. :lol:

You got the wrong guys.....my line was about 150', included the backhoe, the line, including running the line through the foundation and the hookup. total was $1100. My boys at Downs hooking it up as usually.

Well, it was an emergency and I only had a couple of referrals to go by. :shrug:

edit: BUT!! I know more better peeps now!

I do want to say, that Pete is bigger better stronger than me and faster than a speeding bullet but, never having seen or been to Vrai's house in less 2 hours of her post i did post this. " Vrai, do you know if you have a sump pump. The way our house is laid out the ac condensing water goes down to our sump pump that then shoots the water out into our yard through a pipe that exits our house exactly under where our rear deck would be. Sometimes the pipe is buried underground and sometimes it is above the ground. As hot as it has been recently our sump pump has been kicking on 4 -5 times a day. Just a thought. "
How about a little popcorn?

:hot:

MetCom guy says that what's leaking is the piping coming from the sump pump and he showed me exactly where the problem was. So what needs to happen is a different solution for sump pump drainage, which is what Pete told me months ago. :lol:

For now, I will duct tape it and call the plumber tomorrow.

Pete was right and you didn't listen? :lol:

Team Pete!!!!! :thewave:

I do want to say, that Pete is bigger better stronger than me and faster than a speeding bullet but, never having seen or been to Vrai's house in less 2 hours of her post i did post this. " Vrai, do you know if you have a sump pump. The way our house is laid out the ac condensing water goes down to our sump pump that then shoots the water out into our yard through a pipe that exits our house exactly under where our rear deck would be. Sometimes the pipe is buried underground and sometimes it is above the ground. As hot as it has been recently our sump pump has been kicking on 4 -5 times a day. Just a thought. "
How about a little popcorn?

Sorry - got lost in transit. But here:

:clap:

Because yes, that appears to be what it is. The pipe from the sump pump is shooting water out under the deck. The pipe - it's that black plastic flexy stuff - is in two sections, and where those sections (are supposed to) meet is where the water is pooling, and then running down to the flooded area.

So tomorrow morning I will duct tape the two sections together firmly, then focus on a permanent fix.

My fix may entail digging a tunnel under my patio walkway to route a drain pipe that empties further away from the house.

My fix may entail digging a tunnel under my patio walkway to route a drain pipe that empties further away from the house.

I thought you did that when you had the initial flood. I guess not. :ohwell:

I do want to say, that Pete is bigger better stronger than me and faster than a speeding bullet ...

Ok, guy to guy, you should know this is not always a good thing.


Or were you trying to slide a knockdown in there? :lol:

Sorry - got lost in transit. But here:

:clap:

Because yes, that appears to be what it is. The pipe from the sump pump is shooting water out under the deck. The pipe - it's that black plastic flexy stuff - is in two sections, and where those sections (are supposed to) meet is where the water is pooling, and then running down to the flooded area.

So tomorrow morning I will duct tape the two sections together firmly, then focus on a permanent fix.



s7p_U1-xcEk

s7p_U1-xcEk

Not just one can, but two for only $19.99?

That there is a bargain.

Not just one can, but two for only $19.99?

That there is a bargain.

But wait! There's more! You also get a set of Ginsu knives FREE with your order!

Not just one can, but two for only $19.99?

That there is a bargain.

But not as fun as plasti dip and that is $7 or so at lowes.

WTH? What is it with this house and water???

I have a pond growing in my back yard, right at the foot of the deck. There is a patio walkway on one side of the steps, and water not only fills up in the space between the deck and the walkway, but on the other side as well (which is just straight ground and no walkway). Pete says it's because the walkway is blocking drainage, but that doesn't explain why it's filling up on the other side.

Considering we haven't had rain to speak of, any collection should have dried up long ago. So today I got out the ShopVac and sucked all the water up. Within about an hour it was filled up again.

I can't see any leaks and Metcom says there isn't a breach in the pipes. But that water is coming from somewhere and it's not just coming up from the ground.

So who would I call to look and possibly fix? A plumber? An excavator? A home improvement person? Who is the "find out where this water is coming from and fix it" guy?

:sinkhole!: :jameo:

Sorry - got lost in transit. But here:

:clap:

Because yes, that appears to be what it is. The pipe from the sump pump is shooting water out under the deck. The pipe - it's that black plastic flexy stuff - is in two sections, and where those sections (are supposed to) meet is where the water is pooling, and then running down to the flooded area.

So tomorrow morning I will duct tape the two sections together firmly, then focus on a permanent fix.

Sorry, just got back to the thread, thank you ma'am thank you. I still don't think this will end up being a super big deal with a backhoe or excavating equipment. Just curious if you saw where the break was to duct tape it how far down was the it buried??

Had a similar problem at our house and it was indeed A/C condensate. You would be very surprised how much they put out in the heat of summer.

Wife walks down to the basement this morning and right away I hear her say "$hit". And I say "F' me", now what?

Water everywhere (contained to the closet).
Finally was able to figure out it was a clogged pipe from the air handler to the pump.
Hopefully I cleared it.

Hopefully I cleared it.

Nope, still clogged.
Can't get the snake (or any thing else) past the two 90 degree turns.
Looks like I may be cutting some pipes.
F'me.

:huggy: Hope you get it fixed!

DoWhat, did you fix your basement condensore leak???


YUUUP.
No more water, for now.:buddies:
...

Freaking water, I'm tellin' ya. I HATE that crap!

Nope, still clogged.
Can't get the snake (or any thing else) past the two 90 degree turns.
Looks like I may be cutting some pipes.
F'me.

Air compressor.

Air compressor.

I have a garden hose connector on mine, works really well.

Vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda

In case the pipe has that not so fresh feeling?

Tore apart the pump. That was some nasty $hit, but it is nice and clean now.

In case the pipe has that not so fresh feeling?

:killingme I use this in my drains in case they have that not so fresh feeling.

Vinegar and baking soda

This lady ain't sitting very lady like.

UKmMh_SX92c

[QUOTE=DoWhat;4914273]This lady ain't sitting very lady like.

That should be in the drunk posting thread, that woman was clearly not sober.

[QUOTE=DoWhat;4914273]This lady ain't sitting very lady like.

That should be in the drunk posting thread,

Where is that one?

[QUOTE=Bay_Kat;4914275]

Where is that one?

This one

http://forums.somd.com/chit-chat/254239-dwi-unforgivable-crime.html

That should be in the drunk posting thread, that woman was clearly not sober.

I do hate getting sand in my vinegar.

Peter Brady's volcano actually erupted and spewed. Hers was lame.

This one

http://forums.somd.com/chit-chat/254239-dwi-unforgivable-crime.html

Thanks.

I do hate getting sand in my vinegar.

Peter Brady's volcano actually erupted and spewed. Hers was lame.

Especially when your vinegar costs about 300 bucks! :killingme