Where is my manhole cover????

Windsorcastle

I know this sounds like a stupid question but how the heck do I find the manhole cover for my property? Insurance company have advised me to get a CCTV drain survey carried out to investigate whether tree roots are causing subsidence. Booked Dynorod to come out last week (it's a property I rent out) and then got a call from them asking where my manhole cover is? How should I know??!!

I don't want them disturbing my tenant again as he sleeps during the day, so rang Thames Water who were able to tell me that my nearest main cover is on the road outside my property (a very busy main road). I rang Dynorod and told them this and they said that they may not be able to access my drains from that and I need to tell them where the one is on the property. It's not in the communal car park at the front or in my timy private garden out back and I'm sure I can't allow them to go into the neighbour's garden to find it.

Can anyone suggest a sensible way of locating it, because I'm getting very frustrated :mad:and meanwhile I really need to get the survey carried out in case there is damage being caused down there!!!!! Please help!

diable

Check and see where the toilet waste runs to to see roughly where it could be. Do you have a patio or has the house been extended by any chance as if it has the manhole cover could be under the nice floor in the kitchen.

phill99

You may not have one that is dedicated solely to your drains. I live in a terrace house and my neighbour has a manhole that is the manhole for me, my neighbour and next door but one neighbour. You may have the same situation so may need to investigate the gardens either side of yours.

adwat

Hi Windsorcastle,

Might I suggest you ask Philip or Charles or one of the footmen to check for you?

I think you guys do a great job for Britain by the way!

warpedchippie

They can gain access through any open gully (if the house is quite old it's likely to have them).

Also some older properties have shared manholes - it maybe in the neighbouring garden or driveway.

Hope this helps.

Steve

ormus

semi detached houses of c1935 period often had shared drains. check the neighbours.
putting dye into your drains (or try milk) will prove it or not. watch inside the neighbours manhole.

macman

Try somewhere along a straight line route from the main road to the soil pipe-they're quite large and hard to miss (unless covered up).
Drains go in straight lines and then turn at angles-they don't curve around.