Drains - is it unusual not to have a manhole cover?

monkey_writer

Hello, we're buying a house and can't find a manhole cover on the property.

It's a victorian terrace. The waste pipes etc. are at the back out the house. The back garden steps upwards as it goes away from the property.

There is a manhole in the front area of a house two or three doors down - is this likely to be the nearest manhole cover? Would this be the nearest access point to our drainage?

Debt_Free_Chick

It's quite common for a single manhole (inspection chamber) to be shared. Best to ask the vendor which manhole is relevant for their drains - but they might not know, if they've never had any problems

FirstClassMale

There may be two possibilities here. The manhole cover might be masquerading as a slabstone somewhere in your back garden. Alternatively, it is not unusual for drains to pass back under the floor of a property, emerging at the front. It would, on reflection, be unusual for the drain to go under without an inspection point first.

Having lived in several Victorian properties, I find the best way to work out the drains is to first look for where the outside toilet would have been. Most modern alterations come into these on a side branch and often the old pipework is simply abandoned and allowed to silt up. Look at outbuildings that may have been toilets or washhouses and you might find drains under or beside them.

silvercar

Our sewege drains run across the back gardens and the rainwater drains across the front. We don't seem to be able to find a drains cover at the back.

The easiest way to find one is to find your neighbours' on both sides, yours should be on a direct line between the two; it may be that you don't have one. The deeds of your house may give you the right to access the neighbours drain cover.

woodbutcher_2

No it's not unusual to have no manhole in a Victorian property.Your local water board should have plans of your drains if you contact them.A manhole can be added and it is always a good idea to have your own.

MrT_5

Victorian properties did not have manholes. In fact many properties built well into the 20th century did not have manholes. You will probably have what is called an interceptor pipe somewhere. This will be a vertical ceramic pipe probably hidden somewhere underground with the passage of time. Quite often they are covered with a slab of concrete or an old tile and then the grass or whatever has grown over it. Tend to agree that it would be best to find this and if possible have a manhole dug. Stick your hand down one of your grids and see which way the outflow is running. You can usually work out the direction and try to trace where your interceptor is. Wash your hands afterwards though.