Can I build a conservatory over 2 Man Hole Covers??

Katie1981

We have 2 Man Hole Covers in our garden and wanted to put a conservatory on the back,this will mean we will have to build over the covers??

Is there anyway we can do this without repositioning the Man Hole Covers?? False floor, sealed man hole units??? Have been mentioned to me.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

PasturesNew

You can incorporate new, smart access hatches into the floor of the conservatory. Then chuck rugs over them.

Viper_7

Yes, raise and double seal the manhole covers. They can still be accessed within the conservatory then.
The flooring used would need to be considered so that either the covers are covered - but can still be accessed by lifiting whatever the flooring if need be.
For example if tiled then a special cover can be used that is tiled into.

Don't worry- one can't here any water movements from the manhole.

Could also re-locate the manholes - but all the sewage piping would need to be moved too and this does need planning permission.

Katie1981

Thanks PasturesNew And Viper_7.

Could you please tell me. Do you need planning or building reg's for the New access hatches??

leveller2911

My sister had the same problem and as it was a main sewer,it was a condition of the planning permission that it was moved.This would have cost £50k(quote from water company) so it put a stop on the whole project.
If its not the main sewer you should be ok.........Best to check.
Good luck Katie.

ormus

afaik its not a PP reg. but building regs yes. the new drains need to be tested for leaks before you back fill the new trench.

use double sealed covers instead. with access.
a much cheaper solution.

square_bear

Are these manhole covers for the main sewer?
Is this sewer connected to your neighbours as well?
If so I don't think that you can build over them, because your neighbours may need immediate access to your manholes in order to deal with a problem that they may have.

MadMummyof2

If it is a main sewer run that is maintained by the local water authority, then you have to have permission from them to build over it.

If it is manhole covers for rainwater & soil, then yes you can build there, but as said above, they must be raised and double sealed.

To be on the safe side, it is best to contact your local water authority and ask for a sewer map
HTH
xx

dander

I believe it's the water board that have the rules about sewers rather than the building regs and it can vary from company to company. But the people at your building regs department will know exactly what restrictions apply in your particular area as they work in conjunction with the water company over this kind of thing.

allenjm18

best bet - get ploans drawn up, submit to the water board for approval, then with that, submit the approval and plans to the council just to be sure - better safe than sorry!

Viper_7

Also, find anything and everything about conservatories here:

http://www.ask-questions.com/