[jpaul86]

Hello all. I have what looks like a 3/8 hollow copper rod coming up out of my basement floor next to my main water inlet pipe. It sticks up about 3 inches from the floor and is taped to my main line. The issue is that I all the sudden have water seeping up through this pipe for some reason. Ever heard of that? The pipe isn't connected to anything in the house and as far as I know isn't connected to anything under the basement floor. There's no water coming up through the floor where the pipe and the main line go through, it's just coming through this copper pipe. Any ideas are most appreciated.

[speedball1]

Could this possibly be a drain line from something? Do you know where your AC drain line terminates? Could this be a line from the T&P valve from the water heater? Is there a water softener involved? Can you give me more details? Back to you, Tom

[jpaul86]

Not a drain line. I'd be happy to send you a pic. The AC and the water softener drain into the floor on the opposite side of the room. This pipe just started seeping and hasn't done it in the previous 8 years we've lived here. Water is coming from the ground, up through this pipe. I have a black plastic main water line that comes up vertically from the basement floor. This pipe is taped to to it and runs through the floor next to it. House is 40 years old. I assumed it was a lightening ground rod. We haven't had much rain lately. My biggest concern is that my main line is leaking under the slab and is leaching up through this pipe. Thanks Tom.

[massplumber2008]

Shut off the main water supply coming into the house and then see if the water stops flowing from the pipe. If, over time, water does stop flowing from the pipe then you can be pretty sure the main water supply has a leaker (*ouch*).

Mark

[jpaul86]

Shut off the main water supply coming into the house and then see if the water stops flowing from the pipe. If, over time, water does stop flowing from the pipe then you can be pretty sure the main water supply has a leaker (*ouch*).

Mark

Yep. I thought about giving that a try. Makes sense. Thanks Mark.

[jpaul86]

Yep. I thought about giving that a try. Makes sense. Thanks Mark.

Turns out the water stops coming up through the pipe when I shut it off at the meter. So, looks like I need a new supply. Got a quote for $1200 to run new pex through the wall. Looks like around $200 and some elbow grease to DIY vs. $1200. After having to cough up $4 grand for a new heat pump/AC 32 months ago, looks like I'm tackling this project myself.

[massplumber2008]

Good update. Thanks! If you plan on doing this yourself, check with the local plumbing supply store... may have PEX tools you can borrow or rent instead of having to buy them. If you have an FW WEBB in your area, I'd check with them first.

Good luck!