Cellar under water - again (on Underhill Road )

[hat282]

We are on Underhill Road and since last September we have had problems with our cellar flooding. There seems to be no pattern to the flooding at all and it does not always coincide with bad weather - in fact we awoke this morning to find several inches of water even though no rain overnight. We have had our drains relined recently as it was suggested this was the cause - patently not though. I don't want to go down the tanking route as I think the water will just find a different point of entry into the house but I am now at a loss as to our next move to solve this. Anybody else having the same problem or, even better, found a solution?

[Carrie]

It may well be due to a change in the level of the water table - if so a better route than tanking is to install a cavity membrane with a sump and pump - a friend of mine has just had this done by Assured Preservations but I would imagine all damp proofing companies would offer it - basically the water collects in the sump and then gets pumped out into the drainage system

[hat282]

That is an option I have been considering too so thanks for that. I am just curious at the inconsistent nature of the flooding as I can understand the water table levels changing during wet weather but in dry weather could it really have a sudden rise?

[Penguin68]

I am just curious at the inconsistent nature of the flooding as I can understand the water table levels changing during wet weather but in dry weather could it really have a sudden rise?

It depends what is going on around you - the water table in London overall is rising as industry (e.g. brewing, but not just that) is much reduced and that used to be a major water user. If someone else has stopped, or started, pumping water close to you, that would effect you - as would a general water leak from a main which gets into 'your' bit of the water table. There are underground streams that run in the 'valley' between Underhill and Wood Vale (there's a well/ spring in one of the gardens in that valley) and these are fed by water coming down the hills. Building work (i.e. excavation) could effect the local water table - and that could be happening some distance from you. Someone else taking protective action as has been suggested to you could be diverting water that they would have had towards you (i.e. it has to go somewhere else).

Rainfall is by no means the only influence on local water table level changes, and (apart from flash flooding) its effect is not normally immediate.

But this is quite a boggy area (probably because of underlying London Clay). If you look at the Langston Rise end of Camberwell Old Cemetary you will often see standing water - and that's on the top of a hill!.

[hat282]

That is really interesting - thanks you. I need to do something but quite what remains a mystery!

[Amelie]

Have you asked Building Control at LB Southwark to come and have a look? If there have been any kind of works at or around your house over the years that might have something to do with the problem, and Building Control may have relevant records or someone with some expertise about the local water table.

[pablogrande]

So penguin68 what you are saying is in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of our neighbours we need to start an ED brewery?

[Penguin68]

So penguin68 what you are saying is in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of our neighbours we need to start an ED brewery?

Well, that would clearly be the public spirited thing to do, very much down the lines of the Conservative self-help line about societal response (and for that reason alone probably not attractive to some forum-ites!)>:D<

[SteveT]

Willow trees grow fast and drink loads of water which may help your cause.

[Colonel Blimp]

When water mysteriously appears in your cellar Thames Water should be contacted. The most likely cause is a nearby blocked/collapsed drain or sewer, so the water could pose a significant health risk.

I would inform Thames Water, and argue, that the cellar contains sewage water and let them prove otherwise. They'll try everything to wriggle out of it, but usually it turns out to be their responsibility.

All the best.

[NewtonMembranes]

Hi there

You can ring us for some free technical advice if it would help, 0800 533 5396. We have a network of specialist basement waterproofing experts and could recommend a good company in your area.

John Newton & Company are the leading independent provider of basement waterproofing and damp proofing solutions in the UK

Good luck with it

Lucinda Muschialli

[computedshorty]

(?)

[BARA]

We have an underground stream running under our house in Barry Road, which has flooded cellar over past 30 years a couple of times. Last flood we had was of sewage as building works ( subsidence) in the house opposite had got into the sewers and caused a back up.

[amyw]

ours floods randomly,

we have just put plastic shelves down there (to keep stuff off the floor) and put up with it! the floor is uneven so its puddles mostly.

[ruthmct]

Our next-door neighbours in Underhill Road have previously had cellar flooding which turned out to be an underground spring. We've had a spring in our garden, which caused no end of trouble when we were having a path laid as the concrete wouldn't set! But since the dry summer a couple of years ago our spring hasn't reappeared. (We're near the junction with Belvoir Road).

[SteveT]

Underhill spring water, there might be a potential business in your garden ruthmct, all you need now is a bottling plant and you could be on easy street.