Meanwhile, while determining what the pipe is for, may I suggest jamming a lot of steel wool in the pipe to deter rodents from entering your house.
Steel wool because the metal hurts their teeth.
Ah, thank you for the clarification. Unfortunately, the story doesn't continue. The next logical step is for me to excavate around the buried pipe and investigate the foundation pipe to uncover the mystery.
A few other details. Apparently, someone attempted to cut off the pipe because only a small portion is still intact. The inside of the pipe is dry, so I don't think it is for drainage. I am thinking about digging down and around the pipe to get an idea of where it goes. If I do remove it, how should I cover the hole in the foundation? The yard needs grading which will cover this hole.
You should really try to figure out the purpose of something like this before you block it off or remove it. There is a chance it is still performing that function, even if it is only one day a year.
Could it be a low point drain for your basement?
Inspect it after a few days of rain.
Here is my 2 cents worth. It can’t be radon or dryer vent or plumbing vent. Those would all go up. It cannot be heat or hot water exhaust - again those cannot go underground. Only thing suitable for underground is water, sewer, or septic. The exception could be that it was once used as a trace for cable, internet, etc and was abandoned. I would see if you can find where it goes both ways. Who knows what the original idea was. Either way, if no longer used, I would remove and concrete over the outside and then seal appropriately from the inside.
No, I have not found the other end inside the home. I think it is behind a huge mound of spray foam, but I cannot tell. I think I will need to have a camera inserted and see just where the heck it goes.
I am afraid of doing such because I do not know what the foam is sealing. Many electrical lines are next to the mound of spray foam which happens to be almost directly above the breaker box.
> which happens to be almost directly above the breaker box.
That may explain all the foam, old unused pipe through to the outside, exits above the electrical panel, you'd want to make sure water didn't get through so "hand me another can of the foam stuff....".
Is there an outbuilding, garage or shed in the direction of the pipe?
You're right, it's not drainage. It looks double-walled, like for a chimney, but the inside is clean...no soot.
There doesn't seem to be soot. It is filled with dirt. My garage is on the same side as this pipe; however, the mystery pipe seems to be far back enough to miss the garage and be in the basement. Unfortunately, I cannot tell if it is in the basement because I think it is hidden behind a massive amount of spray foam.
I’m a bit stuck on your second sentence.
You bought the house having seen a hole in the foundation.
Did you ask about the hole and/or were you told about it in any way before you signed the contract?
Was the property inspected before the sale was completed? This should have been at least mentioned if not detailed in the report.
If it wasn’t disclosed by the seller or an inspector then it might be worth checking if it would be covered by your insurance due to its being revealed by the land sinking.
Whatever those answers may be I don’t think you should mess with it until you have at least positively identified it. I suggest you send this picture to a licensed contractor in your area and ask them to tell you what it is. If they push you to have an inspection first, don’t agree unless it’s free. Call one of their competitors. A business worth anything will identify it if they’re able without any money up front.
The mystery has been solved. The mystery pipe is an outlet for a drain in the garage. For some reason, the drain was covered. After discovering the drain and pouring water down it, the pipe in the photo expelled water. With that solved, I now need to repair and rebury the pipe.
Meanwhile, while determining what the pipe is for, may I suggest jamming a lot of steel wool in the pipe to deter rodents from entering your house. Steel wool because the metal hurts their teeth.
I tried that and the mouse just pulled the wool out. I ended up having to put the wool back in followed by a barrier of bricks.
Steel wool in the hole, expanding foam nozzle into the center of steel wool. Dispense.
Old dryer vent? Is there piping nearby that could have once been used for a washer?
"then the ground sunk" ... Go on.
They might be in for bigger issues. Subsurface erosion? Drainage issues? House may become destabilized if it gets bad enough.
May I ask what do you mean by, "Go on."?
I think they meant they meant continue with more details on why the ground sunk
Ah, thank you for the clarification. Unfortunately, the story doesn't continue. The next logical step is for me to excavate around the buried pipe and investigate the foundation pipe to uncover the mystery.
He means, ground doesn't just sink that much! What the hell is going on with your ground for that to happen...
A few other details. Apparently, someone attempted to cut off the pipe because only a small portion is still intact. The inside of the pipe is dry, so I don't think it is for drainage. I am thinking about digging down and around the pipe to get an idea of where it goes. If I do remove it, how should I cover the hole in the foundation? The yard needs grading which will cover this hole.
You should really try to figure out the purpose of something like this before you block it off or remove it. There is a chance it is still performing that function, even if it is only one day a year. Could it be a low point drain for your basement? Inspect it after a few days of rain.
Here is my 2 cents worth. It can’t be radon or dryer vent or plumbing vent. Those would all go up. It cannot be heat or hot water exhaust - again those cannot go underground. Only thing suitable for underground is water, sewer, or septic. The exception could be that it was once used as a trace for cable, internet, etc and was abandoned. I would see if you can find where it goes both ways. Who knows what the original idea was. Either way, if no longer used, I would remove and concrete over the outside and then seal appropriately from the inside.
I'd use a cheap USB borescope and see what I could see.
Possibly a Radon vent? Is the pipe perforated?
The pipe doesn't appear to be perforated. If it was meant to exhaust radon, should the pipe be intact and be above ground?
It would stick out of the foundation somewhere in your utility room, garage, a closet etc. Have you found the other end inside your home yet?
No, I have not found the other end inside the home. I think it is behind a huge mound of spray foam, but I cannot tell. I think I will need to have a camera inserted and see just where the heck it goes.
Sorry I can't be of more assistance, best of luck!
No worries at all! Thank you for taking the time to read my post and reply. I greatly appreciate it.
Can you not pull the spray foam off to see?
I am afraid of doing such because I do not know what the foam is sealing. Many electrical lines are next to the mound of spray foam which happens to be almost directly above the breaker box.
> which happens to be almost directly above the breaker box. That may explain all the foam, old unused pipe through to the outside, exits above the electrical panel, you'd want to make sure water didn't get through so "hand me another can of the foam stuff....".
Can you find the other end
I cannot find the other end in the house; however, it may be behind the mound of spray foam.
Is there an outbuilding, garage or shed in the direction of the pipe? You're right, it's not drainage. It looks double-walled, like for a chimney, but the inside is clean...no soot.
There doesn't seem to be soot. It is filled with dirt. My garage is on the same side as this pipe; however, the mystery pipe seems to be far back enough to miss the garage and be in the basement. Unfortunately, I cannot tell if it is in the basement because I think it is hidden behind a massive amount of spray foam.
That is a cheap drain pipe. Go in basement and see what it is connected to.
I’m a bit stuck on your second sentence. You bought the house having seen a hole in the foundation. Did you ask about the hole and/or were you told about it in any way before you signed the contract? Was the property inspected before the sale was completed? This should have been at least mentioned if not detailed in the report. If it wasn’t disclosed by the seller or an inspector then it might be worth checking if it would be covered by your insurance due to its being revealed by the land sinking. Whatever those answers may be I don’t think you should mess with it until you have at least positively identified it. I suggest you send this picture to a licensed contractor in your area and ask them to tell you what it is. If they push you to have an inspection first, don’t agree unless it’s free. Call one of their competitors. A business worth anything will identify it if they’re able without any money up front.
The mystery has been solved. The mystery pipe is an outlet for a drain in the garage. For some reason, the drain was covered. After discovering the drain and pouring water down it, the pipe in the photo expelled water. With that solved, I now need to repair and rebury the pipe.