DRAINS - please advise, think ours need replacing.

Ashmil

Hi folks

Would be very grateful for some advice relating to the drains in my house.

The house is kind of old and in need of updating. One of the issues is with some of the drains.

A brief description - the main drain runs under the house from back to front, accessible from the basement. There is a drain at the back (point A) which the dishwasher, washing machine, rainwater etc. feed down into. This then runs under the ground towards the front of the house, via a smallish inspection hole (point , and then further on, a larger inspection hatch (point C - at this point the toilets have fed into the flow). It then flows off out the front of the property to the public sewer.

The problem is two-fold - the drain at point A is susceptible to mud and stuff going into it, partly because there is a concrete rainwater channel set into the patio nearby, running towards the drain, and this channel has kind of disintegrated and is allowing muddy sand and other debris to get washed down into the drain.

Also, it has become apparent from previous problems that somehow, when the main drain running from points B to C was constructed, it seems that some kind of cement sediment was allowed to set in the bottom of the pipe. This has given it a rough gravelly texture which encourages debris and silt to catch on it, accumulate over time, and eventually cause blockage and overflow at point B, requiring vigorous rodding from point C. Much stinky black silt can be seen gradually flowing through the pipe at C while doing this. It is possible to alleviate the blockage in this way, but it's the kind of thing that will then build up again over the course of about 6 months.

In a nutshell, I think we'd better get the whole drain re-layed properly. My question is, is there likely to be any help available in this? Should we speak to the water board, council etc? What is the best approach to take?

Any constructive advice most welcome.

Thanks

Ash

withabix

Unfortunately this will all have to be paid for by you.

The cement residue in the pipe will probably have been due to someone rinsing cement into the drain in your garden.

Hintza

Will cost you a fortune. Try and repair to stop debris falling in and see if you can scrape off the cement. I presume they are old clay pipes so will withstand a bit of abuse.

I would also get a drain cleaning company in and ask them if they can do anything eg a camera to see the extent of the problem.

anotherbaldrick

You need to find a specialized drain refurbishment company near where you live (not Dynarod) you could start at the Association webste for names http://www.nadc.org.uk/. I would suggest you need a pressure jet clean with perhaps a jet flail if the cement residue needs further shifting, followed by a video survey to ascertain the condition of the drain. From what you have said I do not see any need to replace the drain, the specialist will have repair methods if any fault is found. Obviouly get a quote for doing all this and certainly get the defective channel etc. sorted out by a local builder.

Ashmil

OK thanks for the advice guys