Unsure if I have an underground water leak

[CBJGLASGOW]

I live in an ex local authority end terrace house. I am unsure if I have an underground leak from a water pipe? Scottish Water tell me they can't help as there is no loss of water pressure and it's beyond the pavement.

The tarmac at both corners are often damp, the front corner looks like the tarmac has been replaced at some point in the past.

There are no damp patches inside the house although items in a bedside cabinet in the corner of my front North facing bedroom had mould on them. There is no sign of mould anywhere else in the house.

I can smell damp in the corner of my bedroom, in my front hall and inside my kitchen corner cupboard. I checked under my kitchen cupboard and there is no sign of damp. This is also a South facing wall.

I've been using disposable dehumidifiers for months now and not sure what road to go down. I have gutters maintained but wonder if this could be the problem or something more serious? Any advice is appreciated before going down the wrong route.

 

[Schooldays]

Do you have a water meter outside at all?

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

No, no water meter.

 

[Schooldays]

No, no water meter.

Ah,, probably harder to trace then. Could be worth a leak detection company quote and thermal camera hire quote?

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

I understand. You don't think it could be the gutters then? Thank you

 

[James.1986]

Is it always wet or only when it rains? Does the area hold water during heavy rain? A few pictures might help

 

[Schooldays]

I understand. You don't think it could be the gutters then? Thank you

Aye, could be, but have a look in the vicinity, are there gutters near to it? Also you may have damp issues unrelated inside.

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

Aye, could be, but have a look in the vicinity, are there gutters near to it? Also you may have damp issues unrelated inside.

The photo was taken yesterday and it's been scorching so I don't think it can be the gutters. Your advice on getting the detector sounds like the way to go. THANK you

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

The photo was taken yesterday and it's been scorching so I don't think it can be the gutters. Your advice on getting the detector sounds like the way to go. THANK you

I jus couldn't understand how I can smell damp in the front hall where the stairs lead right off it. My toilet is at the top of the stairs but there's no sign of damp in there. There's also a small canopy above my front door and I have 4 steps up to the door so I gave anout 2 feet foundation under ground floorboards.

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

Is it always wet or only when it rains? Does the area hold water during heavy rain? A few pictures might help

We've had great weather and that photo was taken yesterday? It doesn't hold water but it can turn green with algae. I tend to put salt or vinegar on the area to kill it.

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

The front of house is north facing. This photo has just been taken where you can see the damp patch. The other corner is the back of the house which is south facing and is currently dry.

 

[Schooldays]

Anything near that corner, such as a dishwasher, washing machine et al?

 

[James.1986]

The black waste pipe, I wonder what direction that goes? Could have a blockage/ break

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

The black waste pipe, I wonder what direction that goes? Could have a blockage/ break

Hi James, the down pipe was replaced about 5 year's ago as there was a hole at the top. I thought that was the cause of the problem. There is a crack in the path and I have a hedge close by. I wonder if roots could cause a problem although it doesn't go directly to the corner of the house?

 

[James.1986]

Is that a manhole cover under your shrub?

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

Is that a manhole cover under your shrub?

No manhole cover in my plot James. It's at the other end of the terrace of six houses. That's flagstones and pebbles surrounding the path.

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

No manhole cover in my plot James. It's at the other end of the terrace of six houses. That's flagstones and pebbles surrounding the path.

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

Could council tree roots cause damage this far away?

 

[dray]

Looks like you are going to have to dig down to investigate as most things have been discounted, at least then you can see if the hole fills with water or if a pipe is blocked or broken .

Shame that the downpipe has been concreted in as you could have removed the pipe and checked to see if it was draining away, with a hosepipe. I think my money is on that pipe being the problem such as not connected or broken below ground.

 

[CBJGLASGOW]

Looks like you are going to have to dig down to investigate as most things have been discounted, at least then you can see if the hole fills with water or if a pipe is blocked or broken .

Shame that the downpipe has been concreted in as you could have removed the pipe and checked to see if it was draining away, with a hosepipe. I think my money is on that pipe being the problem such as not connected or broken below ground.

Thank you.
I feared I'd have to do that as I think over the years, this wall will be damp reaching up to my bedroom as I can smell damp in the corner. It's a downward gradient so likely the water is draining downwards. My windows are the only ones with condensation too. Would you have any idea how expensive an investigation would be and what kind of professional I need to contact?