drain repair cost?

frenchbird1

I am in the process of selling my house. About 2 months ago, the buyer had a structural survey done, which found possible minor subsidence. After different tests organised by the insurance, the report is back, blaming the drains, meaning that I am not covered under the terms of the insurance as it is caused by wear and tear.
How much is it going to cost me to have this repaired? I estimate the drain on my property is about 3 meters long.

phill99

I have a piece of string here. Can you tell me how long it is?

GlynD

It might be root penetration, that is not fair wear and tear.

frenchbird1

phill99 wrote: »

I have a piece of string here. Can you tell me how long it is?

There's no need to be sarcastic. I know nothing about this kind of things and I'm really worried I won't be able to afford it.

frenchbird1

GlynD wrote: »

It might be root penetration, that is not fair wear and tear.

There is no mention of root penetration in the report. It's just that the drain is really old.

GlynD

frenchbird1 wrote: »

There is no mention of root penetration in the report. It's just that the drain is really old.

Drains don't wear out though. What has happened to it to make it U/S?

BTW you speak excellent English for a French Bird

muskoka

I dont know the answer to your problem, but feel it would help if you could clarify if possible what tests the insurance company undertook? i.e. did they have a camera put down the drains??

frenchbird1

Someone came and put a camera down the drain. When I asked him if he could see anything wrong, he said there were cracks but that he would expect this because the pipes were very old. They also took soil samples near the kitchen wall (closest to the drain).

GlynD

frenchbird1 wrote: »

Someone came and put a camera down the drain. When I asked him if he could see anything wrong, he said there were cracks but that he would expect this because the pipes were very old. They also took soil samples near the kitchen wall (closest to the drain).

They'd take soil samples because water leaking from the drain would be soaking the soil closest to the foundations and making them loose - hence subsidence.

The drains could have shifted or cracked because of settlement or subsidence but it wouldn't be unusual to find that tree roots had broken through. That's why I, and others, have been asking these questions. A three foot drain won't break the bank though. They can fit a sleeve inside these days, soaked with resin, which hardens and relines the inside of the drain. Get a quote.

bloss0m

Not sure on the cost but Sarah Beeny property program other week mentioned that there is a cheaper way to line old pipes by impregnating some plastic

It was cheaper than digging and insurance paid due to root damaged

frenchbird1

Ok, I feel a bit better knowing there might be an easy-ish solution and that it "won't break the bank". Thanks for your replies.