I worked at a Ford dealer for 20 years, that was at the bottom of a steep hill. There was water constantly coming out of the hill starting roughly 50 feet of elevation up the hill. No water main leaking, just a natural spring that never stopped, even in the dead of winter.
I agree with shutting off the water. If it doesn't stop then dig a circular trench around it lay blocks to make a well and pipe it out from under the house to another well. Test the water and if is good start using that and shut down the water bills. LOL
If the front of the house is at the top of a hill, then how could it be the water table, even considering the recent heavy rains? There must be an underground water leak nearby, but not under the house. Even if that issue is resolved there's still all the repairs to the structure of the house. I so feel for the homeowner!
As for the “Water Spring” it may be many things. As simple as a high ground to low ground situation, but doesn’t explain why all of a sudden in an old house. I would check the water meter ( especially if it is the old style analog / pointers arms and not digital ) to tell if water is running when it’s not being called for in the house …. Meaning, there may be a leak in the water main and water is running under ground and surfacing in the crawl space. This also may have something to do with a septic tank …. Plugged up leach field. Is there a buried watering line for plants / lawn? Why were you call to this job?
HVAC has NO condensate drain , that’s where some of the water is probably coming from.Inspector should have caught that immediately. I’d agree The running water is a big problem, jeez too bad a pipe or tap could be hooked up to the spring, free water!
The water feed line to the house is probably cracked or a joint is failing. Looks fresh so the stroke of luck was with you...and the homeowner. Undected water leak for possibly months would added even more heartache than already there.
the only options if it is a natural spring is either pipe it out of the house and down hill, preferably with pvc pipe. alternatively if they can find the source cut a ditch across it and cut it away from the house and down hill. then you gotta get a but guy in there along with the moisture barrier and maybe a dehumidifier for a while. then get a crew to come in and rebuild and repair and damaged structure. But the problem with a lot of homeowners is they want the quick "fix" but you got to get honest and knowledgeable workers and be committed to fixing the problem. either that or move.
I saw a house with a basement that was built over a natural spring but it had a sump pump that ran almost constantly. It went through many replacement sump pumps but it did have a concrete floor with drain tile.
My house might have a natural spring under the basement. The sump pit floated so I tried to reseat it. I couldn't bail the water and sand out fast enough because it kept closing the hole and filling with mud and water. I actually saw water percolating from the bottom of the pit similar to what was in this video. Still not sure and don't know who to ask for opinion. The water company tested my water line for leaks and didn't find any. I am in Michigan. During the last March thaw, my sump was pumping 4 gallons every 5 minutes. That is 1150 gallons every 24 hours. I only use 100 gallons daily so I ruled out a sewer leak. It finally cycled every 45 minutes until a rain. Then, back to every 8 minutes. I had yard regraded, and it might have helped a little. I realigned a 30 foot gutter, we didn't have any rain for a month and the sump motor finally cycled after 5 hours. Then, there was more and more time between cycles. My best guess was 24 hours between cycles which was unheard of. I don't think the pump has cycled in a month. I check water level every morning after work and it has been going down gradually. Either there is a spring 2 feet under basement slab and it dried out due to no rain. Or, there was water trapped on the outside of the basement wall and it finally all emptied out into the basement sump pit and got pumped out. I had 1.5 inches of rain last week. The water level in my sump pit rose 4 inches but never tripped the pump. I have holes drilled into my sump pit. I plan to replace the pit with a solid container. It is gradually going lower daily.
@@corvettebob96I had a similar problem in a rental house every spring, the underground gradient outside the house was drawing it all back in towards the house. Laid about 4-5 of barrier around the house about 8-12inches down, re-covered the ground and everything was fine.
I don't understand why they build houses with a crawl space and not pour a concrete floor. It would keep bugs, rodents, moisture, etc from destroying the underside of the house, as well as equipment down there.
Never ever wanted a house with a crawl space. I don't know how you do your job. I was so creeped out the whole time. All those bugs, ick! I definitely prefer a basement. But I'm sure there are problems with those as well. I've got a gameroom, laundry room, bathroom and a garage all under ground. Warm, and water free. So far the house is 65 years old, and we're doing ok.
I can't imagine what I would do. There's no way I could cover those costs. Would insurance cover it or would they consider it flooding and decline. These days they will use any excuse to decline claims. It's a evil industry.
set of a horror movie. unfortunate about the pests. as for the water... is there a creek nearby. if not, you can look at the local area water table depth. if its very high it can cause those "springs". it typically dries when in the open but a shady basement with clay keeps it moist enough so it becomes visible. geologist\env engineer on that one needed
@theofficialscooterbros6973 she seemed surprised. I think her sons don't take care of their mama. Sad situation. House has been in the family for 50 years. Thanks for watching.
Agreed with the viewers below, I've only seen a natural spring like that develop when someone hit a springbox with a tractor; that's a crazy amount of water running under the house. If it's natural a system of french drains would be the way to start.... but I feel like that's gotta be a humans fault, maybe a neighbor down the water/drain line. Totally possible, but it would be pretty wild if a natural spring broke thru with extreme weather, or if helene/milton caused this. maybe temporarily high water table, bleeding itself off? If it was old, then the trench it dug would be deeper.
This house was out in the country, a town called laurens. The neighbors house was pretty far. She was somewhat on a hill. I would have definitely thought someone hit a water line. I still would like to go back and pan for gold.😁
@maxhartford3416 i 100% agree. It looks too new. The hurricane could have been the cause. It's just bizarre. No neighbors within 1/2 a square mile on a countryside road. I'm going to talk with her again and do a follow-up video. I'm curious to see what her local contractor says
There is a water source under the house. That adds 1 million to the value of the property 🙃. Edit: Buyers should hire your inspection service BEFORE buying. These kinds of fatal problems are literally a huge financial ruin and a potential risk. Maybe they would be better off checking what they are buying before they buy it.
uhg what do you even do. first thing would be pest control treatment for the whole place, but I mean really. If it is a natural spring then you're screwed. My house is so close to the ground there's no way to even get a barrier installed. I tried working on it back in the day but I only got so far. This place at least you have some space to move around. I dunno though. Unless you fix that water issue you're not gonna be able to do much.
Shut the water off to the house and see if the spring stops?
My thoughts EXACTLY! Water main leak?? Ask her what her water bill looks like?
I worked at a Ford dealer for 20 years, that was at the bottom of a steep hill. There was water constantly coming out of the hill starting roughly 50 feet of elevation up the hill. No water main leaking, just a natural spring that never stopped, even in the dead of winter.
@RichThiele that's what I'm thinking
I agree with shutting off the water. If it doesn't stop then dig a circular trench around it lay blocks to make a well and pipe it out from under the house to another well. Test the water and if is good start using that and shut down the water bills. LOL
If the front of the house is at the top of a hill, then how could it be the water table, even considering the recent heavy rains? There must be an underground water leak nearby, but not under the house. Even if that issue is resolved there's still all the repairs to the structure of the house. I so feel for the homeowner!
As for the “Water Spring” it may be many things. As simple as a high ground to low ground situation, but doesn’t explain why all of a sudden in an old house. I would check the water meter ( especially if it is the old style analog / pointers arms and not digital ) to tell if water is running when it’s not being called for in the house …. Meaning, there may be a leak in the water main and water is running under ground and surfacing in the crawl space. This also may have something to do with a septic tank …. Plugged up leach field. Is there a buried watering line for plants / lawn? Why were you call to this job?
Yes, in ohio I know 2 houses with spring water draining out heavy in the wet season, both were once used for house water.
HVAC has NO condensate drain , that’s where some of the water is probably coming from.Inspector should have caught that immediately.
I’d agree The running water is a big problem, jeez too bad a pipe or tap could be hooked up to the spring, free water!
Saw some sunlight foundation cracks @3:58
The water feed line to the house is probably cracked or a joint is failing. Looks fresh so the stroke of luck was with you...and the homeowner. Undected water leak for possibly months would added even more heartache than already there.
the only options if it is a natural spring is either pipe it out of the house and down hill, preferably with pvc pipe. alternatively if they can find the source cut a ditch across it and cut it away from the house and down hill. then you gotta get a but guy in there along with the moisture barrier and maybe a dehumidifier for a while. then get a crew to come in and rebuild and repair and damaged structure. But the problem with a lot of homeowners is they want the quick "fix" but you got to get honest and knowledgeable workers and be committed to fixing the problem. either that or move.
100% agreed
You should bring in a bunch of centipedes down there. I hear they go after bugs like those. Not sure if they cause their own problems though.
@@JeremiahONeal-t8y i was at an insect reptile show. I was fascinated with the giant centipede. That thing was huge. Beautiful . Thanks for watching
I saw a house with a basement that was built over a natural spring but it had a sump pump that ran almost constantly. It went through many replacement sump pumps but it did have a concrete floor with drain tile.
My house might have a natural spring under the basement. The sump pit floated so I tried to reseat it. I couldn't bail the water and sand out fast enough because it kept closing the hole and filling with mud and water. I actually saw water percolating from the bottom of the pit similar to what was in this video. Still not sure and don't know who to ask for opinion. The water company tested my water line for leaks and didn't find any.
I am in Michigan. During the last March thaw, my sump was pumping 4 gallons every 5 minutes. That is 1150 gallons every 24 hours. I only use 100 gallons daily so I ruled out a sewer leak. It finally cycled every 45 minutes until a rain. Then, back to every 8 minutes. I had yard regraded, and it might have helped a little. I realigned a 30 foot gutter, we didn't have any rain for a month and the sump motor finally cycled after 5 hours. Then, there was more and more time between cycles. My best guess was 24 hours between cycles which was unheard of. I don't think the pump has cycled in a month. I check water level every morning after work and it has been going down gradually.
Either there is a spring 2 feet under basement slab and it dried out due to no rain. Or, there was water trapped on the outside of the basement wall and it finally all emptied out into the basement sump pit and got pumped out.
I had 1.5 inches of rain last week. The water level in my sump pit rose 4 inches but never tripped the pump. I have holes drilled into my sump pit. I plan to replace the pit with a solid container. It is gradually going lower daily.
@@corvettebob96I had a similar problem in a rental house every spring, the underground gradient outside the house was drawing it all back in towards the house.
Laid about 4-5 of barrier around the house about 8-12inches down, re-covered the ground and everything was fine.
That water looked a little to fresh. The ground around it wasn't wet. Probably a busted water line?
I'm waiting for a part 2 or followup on this story.. I'm with the broken pipe theory
@alternateName600 She told me that's she will contact her contractor friend
I'll follow up with her and do a follow up video. Thanks for watching
Find the water source of the spring from the outside and channel it away from the house.
I bet the homeowner is wishing they didn't get a crawlspace inspection now, lol
And that is aasuming that the _rest_ of the house doesn't have a termite and beetle problem.
@@jeanapolo8960 yeppers.
I don't understand why they build houses with a crawl space and not pour a concrete floor. It would keep bugs, rodents, moisture, etc from destroying the underside of the house, as well as equipment down there.
@@RichThiele agreed
Never ever wanted a house with a crawl space. I don't know how you do your job. I was so creeped out the whole time. All those bugs, ick! I definitely prefer a basement. But I'm sure there are problems with those as well. I've got a gameroom, laundry room, bathroom and a garage all under ground. Warm, and water free. So far the house is 65 years old, and we're doing ok.
@jeanmichelli4732 unfortunately the majority of homes around me are crawlspaces. Enjoy your cozy castle. Thanks for watching
I feel bad for the homeowner. That is a financial disaster.
I can't imagine what I would do. There's no way I could cover those costs. Would insurance cover it or would they consider it flooding and decline. These days they will use any excuse to decline claims. It's a evil industry.
@@virginiamoss7045 Definitely not covered by insurance.
set of a horror movie. unfortunate about the pests. as for the water... is there a creek nearby. if not, you can look at the local area water table depth. if its very high it can cause those "springs". it typically dries when in the open but a shady basement with clay keeps it moist enough so it becomes visible. geologist\env engineer on that one needed
How did your client take the news after your inspection?
@theofficialscooterbros6973 she seemed surprised. I think her sons don't take care of their mama. Sad situation. House has been in the family for 50 years. Thanks for watching.
Agreed with the viewers below, I've only seen a natural spring like that develop when someone hit a springbox with a tractor; that's a crazy amount of water running under the house. If it's natural a system of french drains would be the way to start.... but I feel like that's gotta be a humans fault, maybe a neighbor down the water/drain line. Totally possible, but it would be pretty wild if a natural spring broke thru with extreme weather, or if helene/milton caused this. maybe temporarily high water table, bleeding itself off? If it was old, then the trench it dug would be deeper.
This house was out in the country, a town called laurens. The neighbors house was pretty far. She was somewhat on a hill. I would have definitely thought someone hit a water line. I still would like to go back and pan for gold.😁
@maxhartford3416 i 100% agree. It looks too new. The hurricane could have been the cause. It's just bizarre. No neighbors within 1/2 a square mile on a countryside road. I'm going to talk with her again and do a follow-up video. I'm curious to see what her local contractor says
I love the video! Hope you are doing okay! ❤
There is a water source under the house. That adds 1 million to the value of the property 🙃.
Edit:
Buyers should hire your inspection service BEFORE buying. These kinds of fatal problems are literally a huge financial ruin and a potential risk. Maybe they would be better off checking what they are buying before they buy it.
I live in Colorado, my well is 600 feet deep, a spring would be nice. Not sure under my house though 😮
@mrbyamile6973 600 ft!! Nice to have a well. But you're right, not under the house. Thanks for watching
If you think that's bad then I guess thats why Im the one stuck trying to figure out wtf is going on under my mom's lol🤦♀️
ITS PROB A WATER MAIN LEAKING
uhg what do you even do. first thing would be pest control treatment for the whole place, but I mean really. If it is a natural spring then you're screwed. My house is so close to the ground there's no way to even get a barrier installed. I tried working on it back in the day but I only got so far. This place at least you have some space to move around. I dunno though. Unless you fix that water issue you're not gonna be able to do much.
@johnjingleheimersmith9259 The height is definitely a plus. But the rest is going to cost. Thanks for watching.
I noticed the red brick chimmney was disconnected and naturally venting the crawlspace to above the roof. Is this good or bad.
Good i think