Footing tile discharge

Sump

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
This is a picture of the footing tile discharge into the sump pump. The house has a full 8 foot basement. The subdivision was built on an old dairy farm in Michigan. It did appear to be sand, clay etc… I’ve never seen anything like it.

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This should have been viewer beware.
My God! That’s ugly.
Alien encounters anyone?

Welcome to our forum, Michael! Don’t be a stranger.

Is this house in an area where there is a lot of clay? The builder/excavator may have backfilled the house with some of that clay instead of clean sand fill.

If so, it will probably become plugged and be useless over time.

I’m not familiar with the soil type of this particular subdivision. I’ve built several houses in the surrounding areas all of which were “normal”. I’m thinking it could be contaminated soil from the dairy farm that was in business for decades. The seller was there and said It was no big deal you just have to use a screw driver to clean out the opening every year or so!:rofl:

:+1: :laughing:

Iron ochre bacteria.
That’s a bad case of bacteria. Run into Iron ochre every now and than.
Refer to a perimeter drainage specialist. Costly remedy to make that perimeter drainage and weep tile system right in that case. Does not look good.

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That makes sense. Thank You.

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Robert is right on. :smile:

From his link:

Can one eliminate iron ochre or prevent this bacterial growth?

Iron is naturally present in the soil. Thus, it is very difficult to eliminate altogether. Even if one would replace the soil surrounding a building, iron originating from the neighbouring soils would still migrate towards the drain of the property through natural water runoff.

To prevent bacterial growth, one would need to eliminate from the soil two natural elements - water and air - which is impossible.

It is therefore not feasible to prevent the chemical reaction giving rise to iron ochre.

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As a new Inspector I have to say I love this forum. I have learned so much just reading articles here. Who knows how long it would take me to run into this type of situation but I will never forget the photo and now know what it is. Thank you all.

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I’ve been a member for about 5 years and this is the first time joining the forum. I’m glad I did. Thanks again.

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That is what this forum is to be about…learning…we all learn something…and sharing knowledge…we all can share knowledge even if it is a strange photo that many have no idea what it is. Someone may know and share his knowing with us, like Robert did on the iron ochre.

Stick around guys, it gets better every day. :smile:

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Typically/Usually iron bacteria is rural. This iron is located on the surface of the soil particles. The strength at which the iron is held upon the soil particles is dependent upon the ‘soil type.’ Example, iron is held loosely upon sands and tightly upon clays.
Clay is a finely-grained natural rock or soil material that combines one or more clay minerals with possible traces of quartz (SiO2), metal oxides (Al2O3 , MgO etc.) and organic matter.

Pay attention to lot and the lots surrounding! “Sandy soil and conifers.”

As well, iron bacteria can be introduced to new building projects through excavation equipment and large tire vehicles and trailers to haul excavation and earth moving equipment.

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Now you’re just showing off.:grinning:

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Not really. Just adding information.
I have run into iron bacteria >< 30 times. I looked into the causes and conditions.

I mentored 14 homeis’ so far. I just want to pass on some very basic information.
Marcel Cry, Larry Kage, Kenton, Ben Gromicko, James, David and so many others help this great association. Myself, I am but a cog in a revolving wheel.

Good luck with all your endeavors. Truly!

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Thanks Robert. I appreciate your input and knowledge.

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corrugated pipe doesn’t help…seems anything clogs it up…

There are specialised companies, treating this exact problem, pumping special gas in the system and killing the bacteria. Quick, clean, not-invasive, and not expensive process, but in some areas has to be done every year.

Really, Emil? Do you have a link?

It is downstate from me where I have family and a link would be helpful, if you have one.

Thanks, Emil. :smile:

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www.chiltech.ca

Later from my desktop I’ll try to find something not from Quebec.

Thank you, Emil! I appreciate that.

They live in the north of Detroit, Michigan area.

Buy any reasonable distance is good.

In the mean time, I will check out what your link says: www.chiltech.ca

Edit: this sounds good from your link>>>

“Efficient, ecological, economical French drain gas cleaning will solve the problem at the source by eliminating ferrous ocher.”