Ash cleanout leaks water into basement archived

nwhip- that could be one solution (at about $500 roughly), but you then lose the ability to clean out the firepit as was intended, plus you lose the minor amount of flue-intake air provided by the ash-clean out shaft. You could also relocate the clean-out hatch in the basement to a point up higher and then fill in the shaft left below.

Either way (total shaft fill-in, or relocate basment access & partial shaft fill-in), you will reduce the water infiltration from that source. But somehow I don't think that's the only source, given most of these basements in MOL land, imo.

Do you have a cap on your chimney? That can help.

It isn't the only source of water, but is definitely a huge contributer. The basement door is another source, but that is another issue and of course the backyard needs regrading. Sadly, a previous owner put the water heater right in front of the cleanout, so it doesn't look like it can be used as intended. But you're right that it has its uses, and I would be reluctant to block it up. Putting it up higher is an idea. Yep the chimney is capped. Who would be good to talk to about the ash cleanout? Any ideas?

nwhip - for who to talk to, I'd suggest a mason or a fireplace/chimney service firm. No specific recommendations, however (sorry).

Having the same issue at our house and been trying to figure out how the water is getting in there since the fireplace is dry? Any ideas? Just seepage from the ground?

js538 - yep, it's (probably) just seepage from the groundwater

We had a similar problem when we moved in about 7 years ago. The fireplace has never been wet, but the ash cleanout would fill up with water and then come pouring out the opening into the basement. The thing could fill up in about an hour during a serious storm. We would set up a pump to drain it every few hours. It made for some long nights. A structural engineer suggested filling it with concrete. When the contractor came to do it, he realized how small the opening was and how difficult it was going to be to get mixed concrete in there that he simply filled it with dry mix and let nature take its course. I suppose I could probably vacuum out the dry powder that's in there now, but just haven't been bothered. Of course, water being water, it found it's way into our furnace flue which was right next to the cleanout. Haven't solved that one yet...

Posted By: jonselWe had a similar problem when we moved in about 7 years ago. The fireplace has never been wet, but the ash cleanout would fill up with water and then come pouring out the opening into the basement. The thing could fill up in about an hour during a serious storm. We would set up a pump to drain it every few hours. It made for some long nights. A structural engineer suggested filling it with concrete. When the contractor came to do it, he realized how small the opening was and how difficult it was going to be to get mixed concrete in there that he simply filled it with dry mix and let nature take its course. I suppose I could probably vacuum out the dry powder that's in there now, but just haven't been bothered. Of course, water being water, it found it's way into our furnace flue which was right next to the cleanout. Haven't solved that one yet...

should try a low viscocity epoxy so it flows where the water goes.... or may the stuff made by CGI (concrete gel injection) stuff seems to work pretty well for water leaks.

We got a bit of water through the same spot a couple weeks ago, and in that crazy storm of spring '07. Durring those storms I could open that little door and see the Center cavity of the cinderblock foundation filling with water, and eventually trickling over the edge. During the Spring '07 storm I remebered back 20 years to an old Mr. Wizard experiment and came up with a way to catch the water.

I opened the door, and stuffed one end of an old towel into the center cavity of a cinderblock. The other end gets put in a large container, like a giant cooler. As the water rose, the towel would absorb it. The water would travel through the towel and eventually into the container. So, rather than trickling over the edge of the ash cleanout and onto the floor, I was able to catch it.