My son just got water in his basement from some water coming in through some small pipes (not copper) that protrude from his basement wall. I have never seen something like this before.
The pipe is about 2 ft above the basement floor. The larger pipe sitting on top of the small pipe in question is the supply line for their steam heat and was not part of the problem. It is a 1920's vintage home on the East Coast. They were having heavy rains that have saturated the ground. There are three of these pipes spaced across the wall that is at the front of the house.
At some point, water started coming in through 2 of the pipes (the 3rd pipe appears to be sealed with caulk or something). The water was a steady flow, not just a trickle but it was low pressure. You could stop the flow with a finger and they were able to stop the flow by stuffing a rag into the pipe. I am pretty sure it was ground water coming in. They have been in the house for 3 years and this has never happened before and the previous owners had never mentioned this. The ground was already saturated and they were having heaving rains from the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
- Does anyone have any ideas what these pipes might have been there for? They appear to have no current function.
- Is it safe to seal these up and if so with what?