Hey all, thanks for the replies and comments so far, I’ve cleared out as much as I’m willing to at the moment, I’ve started hitting mainly clay and stone and I’m getting a fair amount of water in the clay (is it possible this dirt is actually attached to outside dirt?)

Anyway, 2 pipes visible in front of the clean-out opening, one large pipe visible out the back side, both seem to go right into the wall of the concrete lower lip

At this point my thought is backfill with clean gravel and install a thick foam board as others have suggested, possibly with concrete poured on top once I’m comfortable that will be ok, maintaining access to the clean-out somehow

But any advice is welcome

  • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
    0·
    11 days ago

    Yes, this dirt is “attached to outside dirt”.

    This is the same ground that’s under all of the foundation. There’d be no reason to bring in dirt to put on top of concrete that’s been poured. Which is why this is so confusing - there’s no reason I can think of for leaving this open and installing a wood floor rather than being finished with concrete like the rest. This just leaves an opportunity for water intrusion.

    If you’re down to clay, I’d just fill with gravel (and insulation, as mentioned by someone else) and pour concrete - this is the best approach in my opinion. Otherwise it will always be a moisture problem.

    You could extend the clean out to be just above your finished floor level.

    Alternatively, level the concrete to just barely below the clean out and install a false floor using wood. Then you’ve sealed the floor, left the clean out, and the false floor provides an even surface without the clean out being in the way (it would be under the false floor).

  • cb900f_bodhi@lemmynsfw.com
    0·
    11 days ago

    Sounds like you’ve got it under control.

    Appears that you have hit some groundwater and that makes sense. Looks like the top of the concrete footings are showing. Rainwater or groundwater does seep under the footings. Depending on how much water there is, I would consider a sump pit to remove it.