Hole in cellar

[Arthur Dent]

Hi,

I'm just clearing out the cellar of my Victorian terrace. At the front (pavement side) there were a pair of wooden window frames - rotted unfortunately - but the glass is still painted with blackout paint! After clearing these, I moved all the crap from the floor and found a hole in the stone flag, about 12 inches across, filled upto an inch from the top with water. Is this a well? The water is cleanish, just years of rotten stuff in it, it certainly doesn't smell sewer-y. Is there anything I can 'close' it up with?

Any advice appreciated,

Arthur

[Andrew Mawson]

Most Victorian houses with cellars had a french drain under them (ie a perforated pipe laid in gravel), with the pipe leading out to a low level drain. Maybe you are seeing an inspection hole with the cover missing. In mine the drain actually has a running trap with the inspection cover being outside in a deep shaft.

AWEM

[Mary Fisher]

It's too small for a well anyway.

Mary

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[TMC]

Many cellars including the pub cellar I was in on Sunday have a sump such as this. It is no more that a low point in the cellar so that any small amounts of water collecting would end up there. The pub one had a small ball valve switch and electric pump so that when full it would pump out to the storm drain others are just emptied manually when necessary

Tony

[Arthur Dent]

Thanks for the replies, guess I'll just keep an occasional eye on the water level - no risk of flooding around here thankfully,

Cheers.

[Lobster]

How deep is it? David

[Arthur Dent]

Not checked yet, the light is on the other side of the cellar, and I couldn't find my torch! Will let you know tomorrow...

[Dave Gordon]

level - no risk of

Use one of those float activated pumps used as bilge pumps on boats. Of course, you would have to run a waste pipe somewhere.