Why does my sewer drain keep blocking up?

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by RipGroove, Nov 22, 2016.

  1. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    [​IMG]
    Not my photo but I have one of these under my driveway, my house is one of a pair of semi's. It blocks up completely every 6 weeks ish. The builder who built my house was absolutely useless (no building regs, he fitted all the gas, electric and windows himself without the proper certification etc, a whole other story), so basically I want to know what would cause this to consistently block up so frequently, has the pipework been laid at the wrong angle etc?

    My new solicitor is taking my old solicitor to court because they oversaw the purchase of this house and didn't notice that absolutely nothing had building regs. The old solicitor has admitted fault and "should" be giving me a payout to get everything fixed. So should I be adding improper fitment of waste pipes to the list to be checked out? If so how would I go about checking something like this as it's all underground? Obviously there is an inspection cover over the junction but the rest of the pipework is under the house and driveway.
     
  2. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    The only way to tell what is wrong, is to have a drain cctv survey, could be any number of things, sunken pipe, gradient issue, branch fitted wrong way around,etc,etc.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2016
  3. Yep - you need a pro to have a look.

    This could be costly to sort, so worth doing.

    Could be as simple as an inadequate gradient as KIAB says, so that will mean a fair bit of excavation...

    It's good that the original guy has accepted liability - that's the main hassle taken care of.

    (And the actual builder - is he being nobbled by GasSafe etc?)
     
    KIAB likes this.
  4. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    One job I did with similar problem, builder had join two soil pipes together with some ducting which collasped & block the drain.
    Another job they supported a pitch fibre pipe with a brick, when trench was back filled it compressed the pipe against brick, blocking drain:eek:,& to cap it all, pipe was nearly 5' down, so a lot of digging.:(

    No idea to cost for cctv survey, but you should be able to reclaim it from the other side.:)
     
    Deleted member 33931 likes this.
  5. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    Thanks, I'll get someone out to have a look. Who do I call, builder, plumber, drain specialist?

    Basically my solicitor is going after my old solicitor, NHBC and the Council as all 3 of them have cocked up big time in one way or another. I suspect either my new solicitor or my old solicitor will go after the original builder, not quite sure how it's going to pan out. To be honest neither the council or NHBC seem to care that nothing was signed off and no building regs or has safe certificates were ever issued?! So when I pass the builders name on to them they simply don't do anything.
     
  6. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Deleted member 33931 likes this.
  7. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    Perfect thanks!
     
  8. Explain the possible issues to anyone you plan to call out first - this is not a common, or even a garden, blockage - it is almost certainly down to poor installation.

    If a cove comes out with a set of drain rods, you know you've called the wrong company... :rolleyes:

    They really need to determine that it's been installed properly.
     
  9. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    Haha thanks, I've emailed metrorod and drainchecker so I'll see what I get back. Both seem like they offer surveys for poor installation.
     
    Deleted member 33931 likes this.
  10. KIAB

    KIAB Super Member

    Got the survey on a sd card,dvd, makes it easy for the non professional peep to see the actual fault, it says a lot more that just a paper report.
     
  11. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    Will do!
     
  12. Yep - it makes for great viewing...
     
  13. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    Haha I bet!
     
  14. koolpc

    koolpc Super Member

    Thing is, those videos can be really s.h.i.t.t.y viewing!
     
    KIAB likes this.
  15. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    It is going to be an interesting case.

    I have worked on so many of these over the years. The original solicitor would have worked on a signoff from NHBC whom would have issued in conjunction with the BC a completion certificate. For new builds that is all that is required for a the original solicitor to check.

    After this has been issued any subsequent notifiable works would be outside the original completion certificate and NHBC control. However, these would have to be detectable and visible by any subsequent survey or indicated by the homeowner. A solicitor has no way of knowing what work has or hasn't been done to a house.

    In terms of the blockage - is it sewage or debris that is blocking the manhole and how does it get cleared ?
     
  16. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    Thanks for the info. It's a mixture of sewage and debris that blocks it up and I have to go clear it out with a water hose every 5-6 weeks.
     
  17. koolpc

    koolpc Super Member

    Could someone else who is connected to the same drain (if that is the case) be putting stuff in the sewage that they should not be?
     
  18. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    ok It may be quite simple then. These multi channel manholes do suffer from problems like this especially if the toilet waste comes in from one of the side inlets. What happens with this type is that the solids fall into the central gully and then waste water from the other inlets just cascades over it without dislodging it.

    It may be something as "simple" as tilting the chamber to increase the slope. Although that is a real pain with all the other pipes connected.

    I know what it is like having problems like this, we used to live in a property where the sewers pipes ran at the back of the houses. It used to block every couple of months because one neighbour insisted on using newspaper instead of toilet roll! Time after time it was the same problem. It was one of the reasons we moved
     
  19. RipGroove

    RipGroove Member

    Well hopefully the survey will be able to tell me if a "simple" tilting of the chamber will do it. The people doing the survey also quote for a solution to the issue so hopefully they'll see what they need to see and be able to offer a simple solution.
     
  20. sospan

    sospan Screwfix Select

    I am always warey of certain types of companies - insulation, driveways, damp proofing, roofing and drains. Hopefully, you haven't found a dodgy one.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice