Theres this hole in my cellar

[Bramblefind]

There's this hole in my cellar

I thought this could be appropriate here since many of us spend time digging in old foundations and cellar holes.

My house is from the 1880s and the cellar is "rustic" so I don't spend too much time down there. I have noticed this hole but I always thought it was a foot or so deep and dry. I just happened to check it out and it is filled with water and over 6 feet deep

It is located right next to one of the foundation walls. From what I could see it appears to be lined with bricks. From what I can tell it also remains the size of the hole opening for the entire length (about 4"x 4" square) but I could be wrong.

The water has no smell. Thank goodness.

We use an old dug well for our water (we have an excellent purifier). It is located over 100 ft from the house.

Well? Privy? (yikes) What do you think it is?

 

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[Bramblefind]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar


Thanks Breezie! I will check out that site. I never would have thought I could get so excited about the prospect of a super magnet!

 

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[Shortstack]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Here's another rare earth magnet site with very good prices.

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/

Check out the FAQ's.

 

[Breezie]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Here's another rare earth magnet site with very good prices.

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/

Check out the FAQ's.

SS, that is the site I used to order my magnets, and I couldn't find it when I made the post. The do have the best prices. Thanks, Breezie

 

[Shortstack]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

You are welcomed, Breezie. One of the "cautions" mentioned on this site is the "pinched finger" injury that you pointed out in an earlier post.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Drop something in, and if you do not hear water, just secure a digital camera with a rope or string and lower it down there.

Good idea. Use a 60 second delay feature with flash of course. And dont lose the camera. Use a good connector clip or something.

 

[Alchemy]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Drop something in, and if you do not hear water, just secure a digital camera with a rope or string and lower it down there.

He did say there is standing water in the hole. But hey, still maybe a good idea for a water proof camera
lol...course, the investment of a water proof camera with a timer may not be a good idea

 

[Breezie]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Drop something in, and if you do not hear water, just secure a digital camera with a rope or string and lower it down there.

Good idea. Use a 60 second delay feature with flash of course. And dont lose the camera. Use a good connector clip or something.

Most digital cameras will take a 2 or 3 minute video. Also make sure there is plenty of light. An outside flood light like most folks use at Christmas time would be ideal to shine down in the hole. Actually, you could lower the light too.

Also, I wanted to ask, would a milk chiller be 6' deep? I'm not familiar with chillers, so would the person lower a bucket with the milk/cheese or whatever down to the bottom?
Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Surely we could get a volunteer to don a Speedo and go into the rabbit hole for science.

Does TreasureNet have a "tunnel-rat" on retainer?

If not, is TreasureNet accepting applications for such?

the opening is 4 inch x 4 inch.

 

[Broken knee]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

tunnel rat looking for work, will find cheese!
I couldn't help my self

 

[Broken knee]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

tunnel rat looking for work, will find cheese!
I couldn't help my self

All kidding aside there must be something interesting at the bottom?
maybe try home depot see snake water proof inspection cam. attachments to 30 foot available.

 

[Breezie]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

the opening is 4 inch x 4 inch.

Oh, sorry, I didn't realize it was that small, so we need to regroup on the camera/light. Would a shop vac with an extended hose be powerful enough to suck up what is on the bottom? Breezie

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

tunnel rat looking for work, will find cheese!
I couldn't help my self

will work for cheese

 

[cedarratt]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Bottoms probably full of all kinds of awesome.

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

You all are cracking me up! Yes there is water in it. The surface is less than a foot down. I tried to take a better pic so you can see the reflection of the flashlight off the water surface.

The wet vac idea made me think a little but I really feel this water is coming from somewhere - via some sort of drain system that might exist under the house or a spring (I know that idea was shot down but the water looks so clear I am still thinking it might be possible) - and the hole would probably just refill anything that was vacuumed out.

I've really enjoyed the discussion though so feel free to continue!

 

[Broken knee]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

You all are cracking me up! Yes there is water in it. The surface is less than a foot down. I tried to take a better pic so you can see the reflection of the flashlight off the water surface.

The wet vac idea made me think a little but I really feel this water is coming from somewhere - via some sort of drain system that might exist under the house or a spring (I know that idea was shot down but the water looks so clear I am still thinking it might be possible) - and the hole would probably just refill anything that was vacuumed out.

I've really enjoyed the discussion though so feel free to continue!

if your house is that old someone must have dropped something down there try the cam. Are their any loose bricks check behind maybe there is a cash of coins you never know?

 

[Shortstack]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Before anymore suggestions on how to explore are posted, I respectfully propose that you take a ruler and plot out a 4"x4"x4"x4" square on a piece of paper. Then, test your idea for working that small opening. I still believe that a water pipe was down that opening and connected to a pitcher pump for a household water source. Just because the hole is only about 6 feet deep and "walled" does not change that idea. You see, there does not have to be an underground river or open space for a good water well. The better water wells are from an aquifer of porous stone that provides natural filtering along with a fast refresh rate for the well.

Question: What container would be used to cool milk, cheese, etc in this little opening?

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Shortstack - I think that sounds very plausible.

The construction of the thing fascinates me. I wonder if it was made prior to the building of the house or after. It might have been the reason they located the house where they did.

I think I am going to get the water tested at some point. Maybe find a pump to use on it. Always good to have a back up water source.

 

[sniffer]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

I too think the house was built to take advantage of a fresh spring, that way they wouldn't have to leave the house for water

 

[Shortstack]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Bramblefind, I suspect that the water source was "proved" first, then the house built over it. If the house was built in or before the 1880's, the owners were probably working off of the historical need for a good water source in case "the savages" got their feathers in a knot and presented a danger to the settlers. That may or may not have had as much of an effect on the planning as the "WOH's" dictates. (WOH = woman of the house) And, too, the "upper crust" families just could not stand for their women-folk to be seen drawing water from a well like the common folks.

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

Re: There's this hole in my cellar

Take a sample of the water and have it tested.

I'll almost bet you will find out it is potable water. Ours was -

B