is it possible to re-site manhole covers?

Grimbal

We would like to extend a house that we're in the process of buying. However, there is a manhole cover over where an extension would be.

Really naive question, but I'm assuming that it's possible to re-site these things?

keystone

Lift the lid, have a look down there and come back with what you think the answer to the question might be.

Cheers

Innys

The simple answer to your question is "Yes".

However, you will need to make sure that when the manhole is resited during any extension works, it is still possible to insert drain rods down the new manholes in both directions.

Whatever solution you come up with, Building Control will have the final say and it may end up costing you a lot more than you hoped.

I speak from experience - I'm having an extension built and I wanted to relocate some of the drains and manholes as part of the works.

Grimbal

Thanks Innys, that was very helpful. I just wanted a bit of reassurance that these things could be done, given sufficient finances. If it were a case that it would never be possible, then we would have had to reconsider our purchase unfortunately. Am hopeful now that it will be possible to work it into the extension & move it. Thanks again!

keystone

Innys wrote: »

However, you will need to make sure that when the manhole is resited during any extension works, it is still possible to insert drain rods down the new manholes in both directions.

You seem to be assuming a "one in / one out" configuration which is not necessarily the case. I asked my question for a reason as the simple answer is "possibly" it depends on what is actually down there. A chamber with 4 inputs and one output might mean a great deal of excavation and drainage mods to move it which could be non cost-effective.

Cheers

chiefgoobster

I had an extension built some years ago and the outer wall would have run right over the manhole cover.
Plans drawn up and the builder cast his eye over it all and no problems.It's a good chunk of digging out etc but I think when it comes to building , anything's possible. Don't let a poorly sited manhole stop you from building an extension. It will be worth the noise and dirt in the end !

Like someone said earlier, building control will have to get involved.


Go for it !

muskoka

Oddly enough, when my wonderful mother was on this earth, she had an extension built & they put an inspection chamber in the middle of the floor. It was carpeted and you'd never have known there was a full size inspection chamber under the carpet. Builders made a very good job of it. All approved by building control - ext was built in 2001. Proper plans, etc, etc

Grimbal

I guess I'm going to have to request another viewing on the house to resolve this. Any chance that the configuration question could be answered knowing the age of the house (eg was the tricky set up you mention only used from,say, the 70s onwards) ? The house is late 1950s, and is pretty basic in most things, so would I be really unlucky if the drains were the spaghetti junction of the SouthEast?

Grimbal

chiefgoobster wrote: »

I had an extension built some years ago and the outer wall would have run right over the manhole cover.
Plans drawn up and the builder cast his eye over it all and no problems.It's a good chunk of digging out etc but I think when it comes to building , anything's possible.

Like someone said earlier, building control will have to get involved.


Go for it !

thanks We love the position of the house, and the fact that it's never been touched in 50 years, so would hate for something like a manhole cover to scupper our hopes!

muskoka wrote: »

Oddly enough, when my wonderful mother was on this earth, she had an extension built & they put an inspection chamber in the middle of the floor. It was carpeted and you'd never have known there was a full size inspection chamber under the carpet. Builders made a very good job of it. All approved by building control - ext was built in 2001. Proper plans, etc, etc

Oooh, that's interesting! depending where it is, that may well be an option. Might be a tad tricky camouflaging it on a hard floor, but if it turned out to be in the extension to the (carpeted) lounge, that may work

chiefgoobster

With manholes in the middle of floors , even if they are carpeted over....I suppose the immediate concern is what if there was a blockage along the pipe and it
started to back up.......and back up :eek:

and along a lighthearted note and in these PC times ......should we be calling them person-holes and not manholes

ormus

you certainly can have a manhole cover inside a room. just needs to be a special one. with a double sealed lid and all that.

far better to resite the chamber though.