Blocked pipe to storm drain - help needed

Fraggle25

Hi there, please help!

Am trying to find out who is responsible for clearing pipe leading to storm drain and/or how to clear it!

We have an 1890s house. Following work done to change layout of guttering (i.e. where it drained from and to) we found that water isn't draining away. After digging down, we found there are broken pipes between downpipe and storm drain (yes I know this is the wrong way round to get things done, but was ill at the time of having the work done and not thinking straight).

On closer inspection we discovered the pipe to the storm drain itself is blocked - mainly with earth, it would seem - but the pipe may even have collapsed, we don't know. We suspect it has been like this for years; the rainwater was previously discharged into the substation next door so we didn't know. We have a set of rods but none of the attachments (scraper, screw, etc) will fit inside the pipe.

The blockage is actually beyond the boundaries of our property. We know the storm drain itself works OK (i.e. neighbours' drainage is fine). So are we responsible for the whole pipe? And if so, what would we do if we need to dig down? Or is is the water company / council's responsibility as the problem is beyond our property?

Apart from reinstating the pipes to discharge water next door, what's the cheapest solution to this?

Many thanks!!

Helen

ormus

how do know the pipe actually connects to the main sewer? (some rainwater pipes connects to a soakaway).
is your soil pipe ok?
if so, why not connect your rainwater pipe to that one?

(i know some water companies have different rules about this matter)
ie all my water waste, connect to the same point.

Fraggle25

Thanks - that did actually make us think, as we realised the rainwater from the extension at the back empties into a different drain, so may be able to join up with that.

We know the blocked pipe empties into a storm drain as it's at the front, quite close to the road, and there isn't anywhere else for it to go! (The blockage is actually underneath the pavement). Also neighbour's house follows the same plan as ours in all other respects and theirs empties into storm drain. They recently had big refurbishment done and camera down drain.

Still considering all options, so that brings more questions:

Does anyone know if there are any issues with connecting to drain at the back, i.e. could it take the volume of water from the whole roof?

Or if we decided to connect into soil pipe instead presumably the drawback is if it gets blocked or there's a flood you can get sewage floating back up?

Is it the company we pay the water bill to whom we'd need to ask re: rules about connecting everything to same point?

Is there a risk once they realise why we're asking they'll tell us we need to get the pipe into the storm drain working?

Thanks in advance for any insights!!

ormus

here is a guide on drains. and who is responsible for what.

Fraggle25

Nice diagram - unfortunately confirms what we suspected, but thanks!