What is this long hump at the bottom of my garden?

Leif

I was chatting to a neighbour, and he pointed out the track of the main sewer, and checking the plans, he is probably right. So what is this long hump at the bottom of my garden?

-- Details --
According to the original plans, the soil pipe leaves my house at one corner then goes down the garden, parallel to a hedge, whereupon it hits a septic tank near the bottom. I believe a main sewer was later put in, half way down the garden, at right angles to the hedge and parallel to the end of the garden. But ... at the end of the garden , about 2m from the end fence, there is a sort of rough path almost from one side to the other, parallel to the end. It is made from a mix of concrete and slabs, and in parts is curved (sides lower than centre), and lower at the two ends. This 'path' is raised 6" above the lawn either side. It looks as if a pipe has been badly covered in concrete and stones. Could this be something to do with the septic tank? I assumed it was the main sewer pipe encased in concrete, but after chatting with my neighbour, it seems not. Or is it a very very badly made path? But why raise it up? Why have irregular slabs in one part, concrete in another, and large flints in another part?

Final question. If a soil pipe meets a main sewer, does there have to be an inspection cover where they join?

Thanks.

phill99

Picture????

Leif

phill99 wrote: »

Picture????

I'll try and take one tomorrow, t'is dark now where I live.

Incidentally, on the original deeds the septic tank is shown as an L shaped object with a dotted line coming out at right angles to the soil pipe. I believe this marks the track of a buried pipe forming a drain field, which would be along the same line as this 'path'. But a drain field is supposed to be a meter or so down. A bit of digging is called for.

RDG

Leif wrote: »

Final question. If a soil pipe meets a main sewer, does there have to be an inspection cover where they join?

Thanks.

If it were being built today then yes there should be an inspection chamber, but thats doesnt mean one was installed during construction. Id be suprised if there wasnt but you never know. If you cant see one then it may just be covered in grass.

The concrete hump at the end of your garden sounds like an easement for a pipe but a photo might help id it. From your explanation it doesnt sound like its anything to do with the septic tank as that is in the middle of the garden. If it is an easement then using a spade to carefully dig down will allow you to see whats there but be careful as it may be buried electric or gas. But these should be shown on your deeds, see if there are any pipes that run near the bottom of your garden on plan, as the maps are notoriously inaccurate they may actually be in your garden.

That said it could just be an old owners idea of landscaping.

Leif

Not sure how useful the photo is. The rough earth alongside the 'path' is turf dug up from elsewhere and roughly laid down, to help build up the soil, as there was a large dip alongside the 'path'. It really is the strangest construction, with solid concrete at one end, irregular slabs in the middle, stones at the other end, and far from flat, in parts 6" above the soil either side. I suspect it is a path laid by an idiot. I have lifted some irregular slabs, and found stony soil beneath. I will dig down, to make sure there is no pipe or cable. I think the fact that it is close to a septic tank marked on the deeds is coincidence. Or perhaps it is a path meant to prevent someone digging down and hitting the septic tanks drain pipe. As suggested, deeds and waterboard plans might be inaccurate.


Regarding where the soil pipe meets the main sewer, not shown in the photo, there is an inspection cover. I dug around it, and 1 foot down there is a wide flat stony surface extending out another foot all round. I am told this is a large inspection chamber.

gojoroan2007

Leif wrote: »

Not sure how useful the photo is. The rough earth alongside the 'path' is turf dug up from elsewhere and roughly laid down, to help build up the soil, as there was a large dip alongside the 'path'. It really is the strangest construction, with solid concrete at one end, irregular slabs in the middle, stones at the other end, and far from flat, in parts 6" above the soil either side. I suspect it is a path laid by an idiot. I have lifted some irregular slabs, and found stony soil beneath. I will dig down, to make sure there is no pipe or cable. I think the fact that it is close to a septic tank marked on the deeds is coincidence. Or perhaps it is a path meant to prevent someone digging down and hitting the septic tanks drain pipe. As suggested, deeds and waterboard plans might be inaccurate.


Regarding where the soil pipe meets the main sewer, not shown in the photo, there is an inspection cover. I dug around it, and 1 foot down there is a wide flat stony surface extending out another foot all round. I am told this is a large inspection chamber.

No idea what it is but thank you for making me laugh!!:rotfl:

Leif

gojoroan2007 wrote: »

No idea what it is but thank you for making me laugh!!:rotfl:

Well, at least I cheered someone up, so today I have achieved something. It is not often I can say that. :T