Drain Survey results - advice please

snowmaid

We had a drain survey done on the house we are buying. It has come back that the gulleys to the kitchen and bathroom may have collapsed as they couldn't get their camera past a certain point and needs fixing. Apparently this will cost £750 :eek:

The EA has just emailed me to say that the vendor has got someone around and are busy having it fixed today?!?!?!?

The Vendor's drain guy says that it hasn't collapsed and that water from the kitchen waste pipe doesn't appear to be going into the drain (where is it going then?!?!?)

Who do I believe??? Is my surveyor trying to make a quick buck or is the vendor trying to conceal a bigger problem???

Anyone have any experience with this?

Doozergirl

The vendor's drain guy will probably have provided them with a video and a report with a little map showing what is happening. Ask if you can see.

People do all sorts of strange things with plumbing. It could be running out to the rainwater drain or anything.

snowmaid

Doozergirl wrote: »

The vendor's drain guy will probably have provided them with a video and a report with a little map showing what is happening. Ask if you can see.

People do all sorts of strange things with plumbing. It could be running out to the rainwater drain or anything.

We got the drain guy in to do a survey. He has said that it will cost approx £750. The Vendor have got another guy in who says it isn't so bad and is repairing it as we speak????? I never asked the Vendor to repair it, they have just gone ahead most likely after speaking to our drain surveyor yesterday.

Doozergirl

I meant they might have got their own drain guy out. In houses built before 1936 I think, where one or more houses might share a drain (ie. a terrace) the drains are actually still the responsibilty of the water company. When I had a drain survey, they told me this and Severn trent were out within 2 hours to look at my drains!

Go and have a look! Can you get the time to go around and ask the guy to explain what he's doing. Or the vendors to provide a guarantee on the work.

If the drain had collapsed, I'd expect there to be some evidence of that, even if it's just that the water isn't draining from a sink properly. I suppose it's possible that the drain did collapse at some point and instead of fixing it, they've diverted the water somewhere they shouldn't. If he fixes that, then the vendors might find that the water does stop draining properly!

Don't worry too much. At least they're trying to do something about it. Even if it does cost £750, it's not the end of the world for them.

snowmaid

Doozergirl wrote: »

I meant they might have got their own drain guy out.

Go and have a look! Can you get the time to go around and ask the guy to explain what he's doing. Or the vendors to provide a guarantee on the work.

If the drain had collapsed, I'd expect there to be some evidence of that, even if it's just that the water isn't draining from a sink properly. I suppose it's possible that the drain did collapse at some point and instead of fixing it, they've diverted the water somewhere they shouldn't.

If he fixes that, then the vendors might find that the water does stop draining properly!

Don't worry too much. At least they're trying to do something about it. Even if it does cost £750, it's not the end of the world for them.

I am just worried that it may be a case of the vendor knows a drain guy, who is doing a 'cover over' job to avoid doing what is really required!! :eek:

marybishop

Hi Snowmaid - make sure that whoever has 'fixed' the drains is able to provide some sort of warranty for the work that's done so that if it fails you've got some comeback, in which case you need to make sure the warranty is transferrable on completion of the house sale. If they are unwilling to do this then be wary. Perhaps discuss with your solicitor and make it a point of the sale (if that makes sense).

Doozergirl

I've edited the first bit of my last post. Could that apply to your house?

snowmaid

marybishop wrote: »

Hi Snowmaid - make sure that whoever has 'fixed' the drains is able to provide some sort of warranty for the work that's done so that if it fails you've got some comeback, in which case you need to make sure the warranty is transferrable on completion of the house sale. If they are unwilling to do this then be wary. Perhaps discuss with your solicitor and make it a point of the sale (if that makes sense).

Thanks so much marybishop, I have just sent an email to the EA.

marybishop

Snowmaid - I would still run it past your solicitor - don't forget the EA is working for the vendor!!

snowmaid

Doozergirl wrote: »

I've edited the first bit of my last post. Could that apply to your house?

Not sure doozegirl, I have sent a letter asking what marybishop recommended to ask so am now waiting to hear back from the EA. But I will contact our solicitor in a mo just to find out what he thinks.