By Matthew Baring-Gould, Kingscliff-based drainage plumber. Servicing Tweed Heads for 4 years. 5.0 stars across 173 Google reviews. Licensed NSW 383340C and QLD 15036450. ABN 74 605 392 348.
Brisbane. New homeowner. High moisture readings but no visible water. Behind the wall was builders debris, mud, and an underwater spring sitting lower than the stormwater outlet. Needed a pump.
The diagnostic puzzle
No visible water, but every moisture reading downstairs was high and the air was muggy and starting to smell mouldy. We went behind the house into the cavity and found exactly what you don’t want: builders had piled debris and mud against the wall during the build, which had been covered over without clearing. On top of that, there was an underwater spring sitting below the level of the existing stormwater outlet, meaning gravity could not drain it.
What we did
- Vacuum excavated the full area behind the wall.
- Cleaned the builders debris and mud out.
- Pressure cleaned the exposed wall.
- Found and confirmed the underwater spring trickling continuously.
- Installed a 300mm pump pit at the low point.
- Plumbed the pump discharge up to the main stormwater line and out to the street.
- Waterproofed and installed drainage against the wall for the surface and shallow water.
Why a pump
When the water source is below your drainage outlet, no amount of gravity drainage will work. The water will keep rising to the lowest point. A pump pit catches the water and lifts it to a point where it can gravity-drain the rest of the way.
Takeaway
If you are seeing moisture symptoms with no visible water source and you are on a slope, suspect a buried source. A proper excavation + CCTV around the foundation finds it.
Call Matty on 0447 188 394 for drainage work across Tweed Heads, the Northern Rivers, the Gold Coast and inner Brisbane.
Customer names and addresses have been withheld. Individual results vary. Drain Masters Plumbing is licensed in NSW (383340C) and QLD (15036450).
Frequently asked
How often does the pump need servicing?
Annually is a good rhythm. The pump itself is low-maintenance; the pit catches sediment that will build up over time and should be cleared.
What happens if the pump fails?
The water rises in the pit. On a well-designed install there is an overflow alarm. Pumps typically last 7-15 years with normal duty cycles.
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