Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Mar 12, 2013 4:09 pm Hi all, I've recently moved into an established home in Upper Ferntree Gully at the base of Mount Dandenong in Melbourne. Its an elevated block sloping downward towards towards the backyard the backyard. At the rear of the home along the back wall there is a patch of soil (approx 1m x 40cm) that is constantly damp to the touch. The dampness does creep up the brick wall about 10cm in one spot. The brick constantly looks wet. Its not due to rain as anyone in Melbourne knows we are sweltering through the days at the moment and have been for a while. There are pipes coming out from the bathroom (bath, sink, shower) and into the ground in the same area. The home has great access under the home due to elevation and I have noticed that the ground and bricks under the home look bone dry. The pipework that is visible shows no sign of leakage. I'm thinking there must be some kind of leak in the underground piping or similar. Does anyone have any thoughts on something I could look at doing to try and figure out where this dampness is coming from? Hopefully I explained that well enough. Im not what you would call 'handy' so just thought I would seek some advice from you all Thanks a lot. Re: Damp area of soil at rear of home. 2Mar 12, 2013 6:37 pm Hi I think the first thing you could try, is take a look at your watermeter. On the guages you will notice a little red arrow looking thing. Make sure that all your taps in the house are turned off, and that no one is using the toilets for a moment. Then watch that little red arrow. Even the slightest leak will be seen on this dial. Failing this, I would have the pipework pressure tested. i hope this helps Good luck Erik Bohl Bathrooms BSA: 67641 ABN: 89 250 897 460 Ph: 0437 528 563 Fax: (07) 5577 2173 bohlbathrooms@ymail.com Re: Damp area of soil at rear of home. 3Mar 12, 2013 8:14 pm Thanks mate. Did as you suggested but didn't see the arrow moving. I moved some dirt around near the dampness and found that there is a layer of black plastic across the whole area. Under which it is damp also. Found what seems to be an open orange pipe under the ground but it doesn't seem to have any trace of water inside it. Just damp dirt. Also noticed that the concrete base around the pipes that come from the bathroom is crumbling away on the bottom side. The actual pipe going into the ground seems okay. Strange. Might have to get a plumber to come have a look see. Re: Damp area of soil at rear of home. 4Mar 12, 2013 8:20 pm Hi Yes, it sounds like it could be all sorts of things. By your last comment, I am assuming that these pipes you mentioned are the drain pipes, not the water supply. The crumbing concrete is the dome around the Inspection opening grate or base of vent pipe? The orange pipe sounds like it's an electrical conduit. Is it approx 25mm in dia? But yes, at this stage this problem needs to be inspected. Too difficult from here Good Luck Erik Bohl Bathrooms BSA: 67641 ABN: 89 250 897 460 Ph: 0437 528 563 Fax: (07) 5577 2173 bohlbathrooms@ymail.com Re: Damp area of soil at rear of home. 5Mar 12, 2013 8:29 pm first of all, apologies for my bad descriptions. have no idea what I'm doing! Yes its the concrete dome around the inspection opening grate. iI also noticed that in one of the grates iI can always see water about 30+ cm down. The orange pipe is some water pipe approx 15 cm in diameter. Re: Damp area of soil at rear of home. 6Mar 12, 2013 8:32 pm Ok. Could you try and run your taps in your bathroom and stand outside and watch the base. I am beginning to think, as you have plastic there, and the concrete is crumbeling, that some of the grey water is actually splashing out. this is easily fixed with a bit of mortar. Let me know how you. Erik Bohl Bathrooms BSA: 67641 ABN: 89 250 897 460 Ph: 0437 528 563 Fax: (07) 5577 2173 bohlbathrooms@ymail.com Re: Damp area of soil at rear of home. 7Mar 12, 2013 8:34 pm Sorry. I forgot to mention that the water you are seeing is normal. This is a water trap, to ensure you don't get any sewage smells. Bohl Bathrooms BSA: 67641 ABN: 89 250 897 460 Ph: 0437 528 563 Fax: (07) 5577 2173 bohlbathrooms@ymail.com Re: Damp area of soil at rear of home. 9Mar 21, 2013 7:36 am Up in the hills, we often see moisture coming up out of the ground. There are springs but also just moisture that has seeped through the soil layers, maybe on top of the underlying rock. Quite common. So you see, it may not be a leak at all. cheers Have look at your house plans and you will probably find that brick articulation joint has been missed. 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