Question about foul drain

[grambowk]

Hi,

I'm considering purchasing a new build property. However, the property has a foul drain with 2ftx2ft manhole cover in the garden, about 2 m from the edge of the house. The developer has indicated that this will therefore make it impossible to build a conservatory.

Obviously this will therefore reduce the potential resale value of the house.

I've tried to find out a little more about this drain from the developers but so far they are a bit difficult to get hold of. I do believe that the drain is a shared drain for 4 properties.

I'm completely ignorant about this so would appreciate if you could help me with the following questions.

Is there any way that the drain could be moved, and typically how expensive/difficult is this?

Is there any reason why the developers would have put the drain so close to the house? It doesn't make much sense given that it reduces it's resale value so I'm inclined to think that they had no option.

Are there any questions or concerns that I should raise with developers? (If I can get hold of them).

Is there anything else that I should know?

Thanks,

Karl

[flowjoe]

Chambers are usually installed for a reason such as a change of direction or at the point of a connection from a branch line onto the main line drainage.

You need a specialist to visit site to assess the system with regard to if it is possible/practical to move the chamber and any associated pipework.

If it is a new build you should be able to get hold of drawings showing the lay-out of the system from the main contractors, is so and the drawings are correct you may not need a site visit initially, but it is always recommended if you want a nailed down costing for any works.

[grambowk]

Thanks for the reply.

I finally managed to get a reply from the developers and apparently moving the chamber is not possible (or, I imagine, cost-prohibitive).

If I want a conservatory, they say that the only option is to include the drain within the extension so that access is available.

I must admit that I'm not too keen on this option as the idea of having a main foul drain inside the property doesn't sound too appealing (even if it does have an air-tight seal).

Am I being overly concerned about this?

If I do go down the route if providing access to the drain from inside the conservatory, is there any thing I should be looking out for?

Thanks,

Karl

[flowjoe]

The modern cover and frames are fine, just make sure it is an air-tight one, just as important will be the final finish within the extension/conservatory, an internal access point covered with a carpet or laminate floor is no longer that accessible.

I would however check with the contractor that the new drainage system has been flushed through and cleaned prior to hand over, for your own peace of mind a camera survey would give you an extra guarantee that all below ground is fine before you build over the system

In the great scheme of things these are low cost checks that could save pounds and stress in years to come.