For about 5 weeks, I have found a clear oily liquid seeping up through our garage floor. Not due to flooding as it hasn't rained here in a month. It gathers in one spot and never exceeds the size of a garbage can lid. It is not not near a wall or any water or drain pipe. The floor is about 15 years old, very smooth concrete- no cracks. We are second owners so not sure about composition of floor. Had a contractor/plumber look. He had never seen anything like it and couldn't determine a source since it was clearly not condensation- didn't think it was water. Any thoughts on what this is would be appreciated. I don't even know who to call.
Oily liquid/water seeping up through floor
- Thread starter sunster1
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Big-Foot
Well-known member
I think if I were you, I would call the local university and see if they would be willing to do a chemical analysis to tell you what it is..
The very last thing you'd want to do is to call the local county or EPA or something like that. If it cost a hundred grand to clean up, guess who pays the bill!
BTW, welcome to GJ!!!
The very last thing you'd want to do is to call the local county or EPA or something like that. If it cost a hundred grand to clean up, guess who pays the bill!
BTW, welcome to GJ!!!
Ultimate Floors by Rhino
Well-known member
Where do you live? Does the house have a basement? Have you done any type of digging near the garage?
I only ask because my neighbors had something similar happen in their back yard that was a nice dry yard and when the electric company ran some power lines under ground they disturbed the water table and now it's a swamp no matter how little rain we get.
I only ask because my neighbors had something similar happen in their back yard that was a nice dry yard and when the electric company ran some power lines under ground they disturbed the water table and now it's a swamp no matter how little rain we get.
pwschuh
Well-known member
It's not related to the fracking. That occurs waaaaaaay too deep to have effects anywhere near the surface.
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sharkytm
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Not that it applies to this situation, but fracking regularly causes issues at the surface.
I'd get it tested by the Chem dept. They usually jump at that stuff. Run it through GC-MS, and see what they come up with.
chrism0107
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a couple of things come to mind. first are you parking you car over this area possible A/C condensation draining from car. second is underground piping under the slab going to a yard faucet or other place that sprung a leak.
nehog
Well-known member
Clearly those barrels of industrial waste buried below your slab are now leaking...
Seriously, take a small amount of water, drop it on the mystery fluid. Do they mix, or not? If they mix, it is water soluble and probably some water is trapped below the slab. If it does not mix, it is not water soluble and you need to find out what it is--it could be hazardous.
Seriously, take a small amount of water, drop it on the mystery fluid. Do they mix, or not? If they mix, it is water soluble and probably some water is trapped below the slab. If it does not mix, it is not water soluble and you need to find out what it is--it could be hazardous.
bad_idea
Well-known member
I have no insight, but my curiosity is definitely peaked. Please share your findings.
malibu101
Well-known member
I don't know for sure but I'd bet there are water soluble chemicals that are quite hazardous too.
A local environmental lab would be able to do the analysis. Won't be cheap. A typical GCMS library search analysis will cost between 120-300 bucks, depending on the time spent. Even then you may end up with a bunch of unknowns.
What does it smell like? Odor can be a good clue. Also, what color is it? If you mop it up, does the same quantity return and what is the rate of appearance?
What does it smell like? Odor can be a good clue. Also, what color is it? If you mop it up, does the same quantity return and what is the rate of appearance?
RECox286
Well-known member
Pack yer bags, load up the truck, and get ready to head fer Beverly Hills...
Uncle Bob
Hope you get it identified and under control soon.
Uncle Bob
Hope you get it identified and under control soon.
SiGmA_X
Well-known member
Rather curious myself. I'd get it tested.
BHR4CE1
Well-known member
Is a vehicle usually parked there? Try moving the car and see if the mystery puddle moves as well. Could be something coming from your car (AC perhaps now that the weather is warm) or has the car been serviced recently?
nehog
Well-known member
Oops, didn't meant to imply that water soluble would be 'safe', just that if not water soluble then it is highly likely to be nasty.
junkle
Active member
If you have a college close by see if you can talk to a chemist or environmental biology professor. Depending on how busy they are they may be able to do some rudimentary analysis or at least give you some informed guidance.
It is probably something silly, but good to be sure.
j
It is probably something silly, but good to be sure.
j
Tech Guy
Well-known member
Fracking can cause surface issues espcially with the chemicals and soap they use. There is a large fracking project going on near Marietta , Ohio just across the river from WV but not sure if its near you. This project went down and then horizontal across a few properties. Have you tried a small amount to see if its flammable ?
MaleMan
Active member
Really interested what this could be.
I can’t contribute anything different to what has been said but would like to know if you have had an update.
I can’t contribute anything different to what has been said but would like to know if you have had an update.
pwschuh
Well-known member
Not if the operation is conducted IAW EPA standards.
bad_idea
Well-known member
And how many operations are IAW EPA when they aren't looking? 
OMG...I thought I was going nuts! We also have this occurring in our garage by the steps entering our house. I've put kitty litter on it to soak it up and now more has appeared. It's has an oily feel to it but has no odor. It's not anywhere near the car. I can't find the source other than it 'appears' by the stairs. It'll happen, then go away, then happen again. No clue of the frequency and if it's tied to anything in particular. Who would you call for testing it?
softballrz
Well-known member
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- Mar 11, 2011
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There was a man named Jed looking for grub to keep his family fed and up came from the ground some bubbly gu
dadsEH
Well-known member
Guys Guys guys!!! 2 first posters here with the same oily substance on their floor??
This guy is a troll!
nice drive by post though...
This guy is a troll!
nice drive by post though...
djjsr
Well-known member
Feel it, sniff it, taste it.
Get back to us.
Get back to us.
Melbfranco
New member
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- Nov 20, 2013
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Sunsetr .. I seem to have the same problem ...not sure if you found an answer to your problem.. I would appreciate any info as to where i can start to fix this problem...
Thanks
Thanks
nehog
Well-known member
flippa
Member
Try keeping the dog out of the garage 
Not good, the OP never responded again!
Likely TROLL . . . . or tag-team trolls with the baloney Fracking idea.
Also . . . ultimate test NOT met . . . . pics or it did NOT happen !!
- I am probably the only ever perfessionally certified petroleum geologist (retired) to ever grace this forum... We did lots of fracking in the austin chalk in TX in the 1970s and 80s. It is simiply using water or some other liquid under pressure to 'crack' (fracture) the rocks around the bottom of the well bore to help the fluids (oil, natural gas) flow to the well bore.
no way causing small cracks deep undergound is likely to migrate all the way through the different stratas (different rock layers) and come out under your garage. Of course if it did, you might by looking at few extra thousands of dollars of personal income to you and your family!!!!
no way causing small cracks deep undergound is likely to migrate all the way through the different stratas (different rock layers) and come out under your garage. Of course if it did, you might by looking at few extra thousands of dollars of personal income to you and your family!!!!
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Definitely trolling and trying to spread the frac BS spew. So much misinformation out there it is unreal.
"Water or some other liquid" in the 70s and 80s what do they use today?
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Water but some are trying propane and nitrogen. Possibly other stuff.
TheWhiteMamba
Well-known member
Ha its difficult to talk reason with many people outside the industry when media slanders you at every chance they get, especially when they don't even understand fracking in the first place.
"In the narrative concerning hydraulic fracturing, there seem to be two dominant points of view: those who unequivocally oppose it, and those who actually understand it."
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/opinion/article_9b1b6c6a-48f9-11e3-b50f-0019bb2963f4.html
ColoradoGal
Banned
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2014
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- 1
We have had the exact same problem. I would love to hear if you determined the cause. It is a clear substance that looks like water but is oily to touch. Our spot is never larger than a baseball. It seeps through the concrete in our garage in an area where we store toys, etc. I am afraid to have it tested due to the cost of repairs... There is no crack in the ground, it is not in an area where we park cars or the lawnmower, etc. The oil is definitely coming up through the concrete! It is in a spot that is not above the basement. We live in a very dry climate south of Denver. If anyone has determined the cause please let us know. It sounds like there are 3 of us on this forum with the same issue.
retDAC
Well-known member
The first two claiming the problem are likely trolls since they never posted pix. If you are serious, you'd best post some pix.
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think it is the decaying slime from a troll that wasn't cemented deep enough.
HOTFR8
Banned
OK, Old topic going off. Closed.
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