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Damp Proofing

Coal cellar smells awful when it rains

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.52 PM

Old coal cellar smells awful when it rains Hi all, I’m hoping someone can help me with this problem. I have an old coal cellar in my house. Whenever it rains, there’s an awful sulphur/sewage type smell that comes from the cellar. The smell really gets on your chest. It mainly happens when it rains. I have had the part of the drains to the house rerouted and a new drain installed. The other part of the drain I have had relined. The smell still happens. It seems to come from the old chute. There is a vent that I have filled in with expanding foam after someone else suggested that. Can anyone help?

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2 Answers

lb waterproofing

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

St Lukes, London

If it is mainly when it rains it could be the groundwater rising below the floor level pushing the air into the room and creating the smell you need to increase the ventilation you can see If floor is sealed or not I don't know if it is concrete or not if this is not enough you can install full ventilation ie there are some fans for this purpose

Answered19 June 2023

Anonymous user

Hi Usually cellars on old houses were not damp proofed and they were just 9 inch brick walls, which don't stop water coming in from the rain Depending on how you far you want to go with it and what use it is going to be I would 1. If possible install a window 2. Tank all walls 3. Raise the floor 100 mm with treated timber 4. Install a sump pump in the floor to take any rising water in the ground out and have it plumbed into the nearest manhole outside Hope that helps

Answered20 June 2023