Advice on what to do!

sloanefish

Hoploz wrote: »

Surely the solicitor's search would have identified whether it is on mains drains or not

It isn't on mains drains. It's private drainage, and I was the one getting confused over cesspit and septic tank, not the survey. Sorry. As I said English is not my 1st language, I thought they were the same. To be clear it IS septic tank, but the condition of it (and if its blocked) is what's in need of review.

AdrianC

sloanefish wrote: »

It isn't on mains drains. It's private drainage, and I was the one getting confused over cesspit and septic tank, not the survey. Sorry. As I said English is not my 1st language, I thought they were the same. To be clear it IS septic tank, but the condition of it (and if its blocked) is what's in need of review.

Just because the pipework's a bit backed-up and the manhole cover opens onto, well, what it opened onto - doesn't necessarily mean there's a big problem.

My septic tank's relatively healthy, but not in the first flush of youth. However, the pipework to it is (I suspect) a bit shallow, not enough slope. So, every now and then, out with the rubber gloves and the rods.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/bailey-steel-jointed-black-drain-rod-set-12-pieces/78472
Fun? Not really. But there's worse job(bie)s.

Thrugelmir

sloanefish wrote: »

As you state, I would expect the solicitor and the lender to both turn around and put the stops on until they're all checked out.

Neither the lender nor the solicitor will view the property. Due diligence is entirely up to you. How much of a risk are you prepared to take in terms of possible outlay?

amateur_house

I can sympathise with this sloanfish. I have just had a homebuyers report with a list of repairs/ reports recommended. The lender is happy to lend without them, but says if I go ahead without this information I may end up paying more than the house is worth and be faced with costly repairs. My report came back after one week, 10 weeks does seem a long time to wait.

Seanymph

Ask them to empty the septic tank and provide a receipt before exchange.

Then call whoever did the work and ask them if there are any issues you should know about with that system.

sloanefish

Thanks, I will do Seanymph. Although I think the lender will still require the report on the drainage regardless - there is no guarantee that the person emptying the tank will have a clue about it all.

AdrianC

sloanefish wrote: »

Thanks, I will do Seanymph. Although I think the lender will still require the report on the drainage regardless - there is no guarantee that the person emptying the tank will have a clue about it all.

The local emptying firm would be the most likely sources of a specialist survey/report, tbh.

arbrighton

AdrianC wrote: »

The local emptying firm would be the most likely sources of a specialist survey/report, tbh.

And frankly are far more likely to understand the system than a surveyor!

My house has a septic tank. That was built around 1912 when the residents were told they could no longer just chuck the waste into the river the house sits beside.

Surveyors report definitely showed a complete lack of understanding of how such systems work.

We are obliged to empty it annually through an agreement with C & RT for our surface water drainage (yes, i know, that is separate- but the architect dealing with the extension didn't understand this either!)

It's not a problem, although historically, tree roots did cause issues and we received docs for that in house purchase.

It will have to be replaced with something more modern, and doutbless, more troublesome/ expensive as the garage sits over it and that needs rebuilding....

G_M

sloanefish wrote: »

About the drainage. I can go to the property clandestinely and test the toilet/drainage as you describe - there is an outdoor, unlocked toilet. But pardon my ignorance, what am I looking for? If I see the water from the flush pass through under the manhole cover through the drainage, what does this mean/prove exactly?

Do this if you wish, but would not recommend it. Why act clandestinely?

Tel the agent and/or seller you wish to do another viewing. Tell them you also wish to look at the septic tank (and would apreciate the seller confirming when it was last emptied).

When you lift the manhole cover, you will see a channel below (along which liquids and solids travel, from the property to the septic tank).

Ideally, it should be completely empty. When a toilet is flushed, water (and any effluent, toilet paper etc) will flow along it and you would see it pass on its way to the septic tank. Once passed, the channel would be empty again.

However it is common for the channel not to be completely empty. Some effluent, toilet paper, water etc may remain in the channel.

The problem arises if the septic tank is completely full, or the drain is blocked, then obviously nothing can flow along the drain. In that case, when a toilet is flushed, you may see
* nothing happen at all if the channel is full; the water might be backed-up up higher up the drain, or
* the water level rise up the manhole, if the drain is blocked further down

Your surveyor, has simply reported the channel is not entirely clear. Whether this is just a normal amount of effluent that moves along each time there is a flush, or whether there is actually a blockage, has not been established.