Water In Footings

[Calvados]

The footings in my house have recently started letting water in. At the moment it is 2" deep. I think I have found the source and am thinking about tanking all the walls, not just where this leak is. However, I don't know how this would affect the flow of the water once the leak is sealed. Would it stay in the cavity or find it's way to some other outlet. Would tanking be a good idea? If you have good knowledge on this I would appreciate your opinion.
Thanks.

[The Builder]

When you say footings, do you mean this is a new construction, and you are building the foundations?

[Calvados]

Sorry for the late reply. No, it's not a new build. My complete lack of knowledge showing here. My house is a semi, built in 1959. I've not had this problem before. On rare occasions I've had a small amount of water, but hardly anything but now it's a concern. I don't know what to do for the best. There is room to stand up under my floorboards, so room to work. I think I've spotted where the water is seeping in, but don't know how to proceed. Just point it up or go for tanking. I'm wary of touching it in case it should just come away and allow more water in. I'm sure I need a new damp course anyway, but unsure how to deal with the ingress. Any help or thoughts would be welcome.

[Togo]

You say that you have identified where the water is getting in. I think I would want to know where the water is coming from.

[Calvados]

I don't think it's a leaking pipe. I think it's underground water.

[The Builder]

Unless you plan to use the floor void as a basement, it's not necessary to tank it out. It's quite a lot of work to do it well, and it may not withstand the pressure of a water build-up.

First thing is to most definitely fix the leaking pipe... wherever it is. If not, then the only permanent solution is to drain the water out of the void and away to the garden.......... that is... only if the lay of the ground has enough gradient to carry it away. This should not be necessary in normal circumstances.

Usually, a house built at that time will have a perfectly good dampcourse. It shouldn't be necessary to replace it.

I'm afraid it's the old story. Deal with the causes..... not the symptoms. It's the best way. :o)

[alavahalf]

Just a thought .... is your downpipe from your gutter doing it's job properly. It isn't allowing water to saturate the side of the house is it. Is the drain/gulley in good order..
If it was coming from a water pipe it would be easily identified. Turn all taps off as well as the washing machine, then go and have a look at your water meter. If it is still rotating then it is a water leak. If it isn't then the search must go on.