Water under suspended flooring.

[Squiggds]

Hi all,

First time post, looking for some advice please.

I'm currently having a rear single extension built, today I lifted up some floorboards at the rear of my property, to my surprise there is approx 2 inches of standing water in the void, the void is approx 76cm deep from the floorboard.

For some context:

My property is on suspended flooring, built approx 1950/60's.

Extension is concrete (floor was poured Nov 23) ventilation has been carried through the extension within the concrete slab.

You have to walk down steps to get to my property (photo attached)

I've been thinking about replacing the suspended flooring with concrete flooring (very expensive option?).

But before I seriously consider this, I thought I'd get some advice.

What type of survey could I get, for someone to come and try and find the problem?

Also it is the case of curiosity killed the.. as I don't know how long this water has been there.

I've been racking my brain and I recalled there was decking with AstroTurf layed over it, attached to the rear of my house. It sat half way up over the air vents, is it possible water could have run off the decking/astro and into the void? Albeit it could've taken along time, but again I didn't know how long the water has been there.

Has anyone had a similar situation? If so how was it remedied?

Also any advice/help would be much appreciated.


I didn't take any photos of the void and water today/will try and get them added to this post soon.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Might it be worth digging a small sump, at the lowest point, and begging/borrowing/or stealing a small sump pump to drain the water out?

 

[JohnD]

You may also have a leak, from pipe or drain.

It is possible to test the water, to see if it contains chlorine (pipe), soap (drain), leaf fragments (gutter) or soil (ground).

 

[robinbanks]

Pump it out and see if it returns? Dig a few holes outside the house and see if they fill to the same level as inside?

 

[Squiggds]

Might it be worth digging a small sump, at the lowest point, and begging/borrowing/or stealing a small sump pump to drain the water out?

Yeah, I was thinking of doing this.

Issue is work has also started on my garden.

My rear garden is tiered so the only patch of grass I have left was would be lower than where the water sits? Would this be okay?

 

[Squiggds]

You may also have a leak, from pipe or drain.

It is possible to test the water, to see if it contains chlorine (pipe), soap (drain), leaf fragments (gutter) or soil

You may also have a leak, from pipe or drain.

It is possible to test the water, to see if it contains chlorine (pipe), soap (drain), leaf fragments (gutter) or soil (ground).

Yes, this will be checked also. The house is being knocked through today and RSJ installed.

I'll get more floorboards up and see if there's any pipes leaking.

I'll also look to get the water tested.


Thank you

 

[Squiggds]

Pump it out and see if it returns? Dig a few holes outside the house and see if they fill to the same level as inside?

Yes, this is an option I will explore.

My builder looked at it quickly yesterday, he said it's quite damp down there. He said he's done work around the area, and this is quite common where I'm located.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

My rear garden is tiered so the only patch of grass I have left was would be lower than where the water sits? Would this be okay?

Should be OK, and if it's lower - a long hosepipe, should be able to syphon it out. No need for a pump.

 

[Odds]

Should be OK, and if it's lower - a long hosepipe, should be able to syphon it out. No need for a pimp.

Could you edit that, old stick.
I'm sure Huggy Bear doesn't do House calls...

 

[Squiggds]

Should be OK, and if it's lower - a long hosepipe, should be able to syphon it out. No need for a pump.

Yes, I think I'll get the water pumped out and keep an eye over the next few days.

My builder is going to give me a quote to put concrete flooring in, which in all honesty I wouldn't mind doing, as I feel it would future proof the house.

I have no experience in the trade, but what I do know is I'd never buy a house with suspended flooring again.

Found dead wood worm in the floorboards also.

 

[Deluks]

If you go with solid floor, you'll get the benefit of insulation, and could even put underfloor heating in. (If you can't stretch to u/f heating you could just get the pipes put in and think about adding the expensive bits at a later date)

Of course, all of this sounds hideously expensive. So compare that with the minor hassle of:

When you pump the water out, make a note of where the last remaining water sits, that should be the lowest point.
Dig out a small hole, fit into it a small bucket or tub, cut flush with the ground, add your pump, leave it permanently plugged in, run a hose discretely along the side of your garden.

Probably looking at a few hundred pounds worth of work compared to a few thousand.

 

[Squiggds]

If you go with solid floor, you'll get the benefit of insulation, and could even put underfloor heating in. (If you can't stretch to u/f heating you could just get the pipes put in and think about adding the expensive bits at a later date)

Of course, all of this sounds hideously expensive. So compare that with the minor hassle of:

When you pump the water out, make a note of where the last remaining water sits, that should be the lowest point.
Dig out a small hole, fit into it a small bucket or tub, cut flush with the ground, add your pump, leave it permanently plugged in, run a hose discretely along the side of your garden.

Probably looking at a few hundred pounds worth of work compared to a few thousand.

I've just had a quote through £4k all in to do the whole downstairs.

Whilst it is a lot of money, it's money we're in a fortunate position to have saved.

The idea of having the solid floor installed and having it insulated is very appealing. It does get cold in the winter.

I'm having someone come and take a look before committing to any further work.

If you had the choice would you pick suspended flooring or concrete?

 

[Jurassicspark]

If you had the choice would you pick suspended flooring or concrete?

Concrete slab is cheaper, quicker.

Suspended concrete costs more .... Pros - no idea!
Suspended timber must be cheaper materials, but prone to rot and I'd assume a bit more labour time?

I'll go for suspended flooring IMO.

 

[JohnD]

If it's important to you, you can insulate a suspended floor at modest cost.

 

[Squiggds]

Concrete slab is cheaper, quicker.

Suspended concrete costs more .... Pros - no idea!
Suspended timber must be cheaper materials, but prone to rot and I'd assume a bit more labour time?

I'll go for suspended flooring IMO.

Interesting.

Is it due to the cost?

As surely concrete floor is much more future proof than suspended flooring?

I'm considering both options, ideally I need to decide tonight as the extension is going be delayed. It's been delayed quite significantly due to the weather.