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What is it with me and drains?

Had to go to the bungalow the other day...there is a problem with mould in the corner of one of the rooms. Sigh.

I know I sorted out all problems UNDER the floor in there, joists replaced and things put in place to stop damage in the future so I thought it was all good.

Looks like there is a problem with the drains outside as the bricks on the outside wall right outside the affected wall are soaked. I know they were not before they moved in, so expect that all the water from the toilet, shower, bath, sink, etc are now leaking into the soil.......

Anyone near by with a spade, welcome to join this weekend.

This is the third house I've now had that I've had to dig up drains.

Most annoying weekend relating to the above.

Mould as shown here:
Led to lots of work down the side of the house. Had no before pictures, but it turns out:

- The block paving was above the damp proof course this side of the house
- Guttering was emptying into the floor next to the side of the house
- The soil is mostly clay when you get about 10" down - no way for the water to drain away
- The old clay gully was cracked under the ground leaking water since the house was occupied

The end solution was this:
- Dug up about 9 block all along the house
- Replaced the cracked gully
- Installed soakaway stuff all along the side of the house (the black stuff) that drains into gully, not clay soil
- re-layed path (nightmare!!!!!)

230 quid all in, so not the end of the world.

It's ended up lowering the soil level below DPC now - it's almost THREE bricks lower than it was!!!!! Madness.

BG

What is the black paint on the wall?

Well the condensate from the boiler had to go somewhere

Black paint is a menace. It's all round the back and sides of the house - it's a previous PAID attempt at damp proofing the house. All it does is keep the water IN the bricks and creates a capillary action INTO the house when the heat is on. sigh.

That along with some air holes into the non-existant cavity.....although the spiders seem to like them, those are all the grey cob webs.

Razor....need to remind myself to check that in the future. Although, the whole ferking patio is coming up.....that also is too high and is causing issues at the back

Get in!

Had a report that the first layer of bricks are already drying.....it's actually possible to see the water line!

Massive downpour and all the water hit the new trench things and exited in an orderly manner.

Winner.

BG