Private tenant, sewage coming up through drain, what to do

urgggh

Hi everybody, I posted an earlier question in another subforum but I thought it might get more attention in this section (I can't post a link to the other topic but it should be on my profile)

My external drain (which takes water from the shower, bathroom sink and guttering) (the toilet, kitchen sink and washing machine go to the soil stack) is blocked and has sewage coming up through it. It's been like this for a couple of weeks now and I haven't told the landlord because (a) they're useless (see my earlier post for details) and (b) I'm worried that they could try and pin the blame on me.

But I really can't live with this sewage problem any more and have already started looking for somewhere else to live. But I don't know whether to just hand in my notice and deny all knowledge of it or actually bring it to their attention (and still move out, because I've had enough of this place). Is there any way that they could pin the blame on me?

I live alone and never flush sanitary towels or anything like that down the toilet but what if they try and claim that I did? Even if I did (which I didn't!) how would that cause sewage to come from the soil stack up through the external drain? Aren't they completely separate systems?

Also, this is really gross but I know for a fact that the sewage is not mine (at least not all of it) because I actually noticed... sweetcorn in the sewage and I honestly cannot remember the last time I had sweetcorn. The soil stack is shared with the shop downstairs (they have a toilet) if that makes a difference.

Please give me some advice. I can't affored to be slapped with the bill

macman

If it's a shared drain, then your water authority is responsible.
I can't believe that you've have ignored such an obvious health hazard for two weeks.
They are not separate systems, that's why when the sewers are overwhelmed by heavy rain, sewage can be released.

urgggh

Thanks for replying macman. I know I shouldn't have left it so long but I've had nothing but bad experiences from my landlord. I can't post a link but you can see the thread I started in my profile. Nevertheless, I've called them now and they said they're gonna send someone out to jet it. I suppose now I just have to wait and see if any good comes of it...

muckybutt

^^^^ as macman says

However I cant believe that you have ignored it for two weeks !!! once you have got it unblocked you seriously need to do some disinfecting

Dont know if you know what a shared drain is as macman says, basically if you are in a line of houses they will nearly all share one main sewer, the exceptions being the end houses where their sewer will not be share with anyone else - that would be their responsibility, as for the other houses because they all share the sewer the local water board are responsible for any sewer work or blockages, they will repair / clear free of charge

Rovver125

As has already been said, you really shouldn't have left it two weeks! Although I'm sure you're realising that now.

When a drain is blocked, the sewage will keep backing up until it finds the easiest route to escape from. If it's a shared system, someone upstream of you could have been putting anything down the loo.
I see it all the time, some people use the toilet like the bathroom bin.

If your rainwater is going into the drain too, that means it's a combined system and will be working much harder during periods of heavy or prolonged rain.

Bear in mind, that even if it was a private drain and you were responsible, a simple blockage clearance from a reputable drainage firm shouldn't cost you more then 100ish. Surely that's cheaper then handing notice in and moving?!

Let us know how it goes!