Does anyone have a well/cistern under their house?

[QueenCardigan]

We have an old well/cistern under our house which was built sometime in the 1800s. There is an old pump which has been disconnected so it was presumably used as the water supply to the house at some point.

We hav lived here for 4 years and to our knowledge the water level has remained unchanged. A surveyor estimates that there is an approximate depth of 600mm of water. We have no idea where the water comes fro, or if it can be diverted. Due to dampness in the house we have been recommended to either install a pump or divert the source.

Anyone have any experience of this? TIA.

never had one, but does he mean that the water level is 600mm below floor level? or below ground level?

It does not matter if there is water at or below the foundations, and pumping out can do more harm that good (you have to line the pit so that soil particles do not get pumped out with the water, leading to a cavity.

Is there a cellar?

Where is the dampness?

It's approximately 2m below floor level and approximately 600mm of water. Nones altogether sure as you can't easily access it as there's only a small hole in the floor to stick a torch and one of those infra red measuring things down. The dampness is in one of the rooms above it and it may or may not be contributing to the damp.

I've just been reading that draining can do more harm than good so I'm wondering if it's best left there.

you would normally start by improving the ventilation of the subfloor void to whisk away any vapour. It sounds like the pit is mostly capped, and the water level sounds low enough not to be affecting the walls and ground much.

Unless your surveyor is experienced on the curation of old buildings, you might do better with some kind of building conservation group. Your council may have someone who takes an interest in historic and listed building and knows the ropes.