flooded cellar after heavy rain Damp can be a major issue in the home. Find answers to questions or post your own here.

[bobalob1]

everytime there is heavy rain my cellar floods to around 2 inches. the water can be seen spouting through the wall. The man from seven trent told me that it is probably the storm water finding its natural course and it just so happens to be my cellar walls. Can this be true and if so what can be done about it. the 2 'outside' walls have always been damp and show signs of deterioration. the house was built in 1905 if this helps
thanks

[Sonia Gwilliam]

[b] Our cellar used to flood after heavy rain, with puddles inches deep. The first builder we calledin gave us the same reason as yours - 'It's the natural water table and water finding its own course.

2nd builder suggested that we have the pavement dug up down to a depthof 6 ft or more which would mean shuttering up the trench in case the road should collapse. Afterwhich we could have the exterior walls damp-proofed before refilling and making good. All outrageousely expensive.

Friendly builder No3 - 'one man and his dog' mooched about outside and pointed to a downspout disappearing into a grid. 'That's what's what's causin' yer trouble!' he said. 'See that downspout! It's draining every drop of water from your roof - but where's it goin'?' Removed cover of grid - goes on hands and knees and shoves his hand down the drain. Comes up smiling - 'The bugger's cracked! Completely disintegrated! No wonder you've got puddles in yer cellar!We'll soon have that little lot fixed.

A bit of digging - a few feet of new pipework - new connection into road drains - a bit of old fashioned expertise and the job's a good'un!

Have a gander at your drains! You never know[/b]

[Perry525]

The gentleman from Seven Trent is probably correct.
The first question is does it matter? The answer probably not!
It all depends on what you want to use the cellar for and how much time or money you wish to invest in solving the problem.
If a damp cellar is OK? Why not dig out a sump, put in a float operated pump
and a few bricks to keep things off the floor and dry?
At the other end of the spectrum a full blown dry ventilated cellar for use as a workshop/playroom may cost a lot of money depending on how much of the work you can do.