Buying a house - what is this manhole?

JamesAbb

Hi!

We're in the process of buying a house and have received all the searches except for a Local Authority search.

We really want the property and do not want to delay things, and will buy it anyway, but I am puzzled by what is this manhole cover?

s17.postimg.org/5znslhdq7/manhole.jpg

There is nothing about it in all the searches and the full survey has not mentioned it either.

The wife wisely says to leave it, as it may cause complications (probate sale) and delays (we rent now), so I want your advice - what is this? Is it movable / can be covered by decking? Where shall I look further?

Many thanks for all suggestions!

Levs01

JamesAbb wrote: »

Hi!

We're in the process of buying a house and have received all the searches except for a Local Authority search.

We really want the property and do not want to delay things, and will buy it anyway, but I am puzzled by what is this manhole cover?

s17.postimg.org/5znslhdq7/manhole.jpg

There is nothing about it in all the searches and the full survey has not mentioned it either.

The wife wisely says to leave it, as it may cause complications (probate sale) and delays (we rent now), so I want your advice - what is this? Is it movable / can be covered by decking? Where shall I look further?

Many thanks for all suggestions!

Have you lifted it to have a look? If you can, lift it, run a tap and flush the toilet in the house and if you see water moving its a waste water drain.

That's the only type I know as I have one in my back garden. If it gets blocked or has an issue then the Thames water come and deal with it. All of the houses along the terrace have one. You have to leave access to it if it is a function drain but could deck with an access panel or they can be moved but obviously there is a cost for that.

JamesAbb

Thanks, Levs, we have not bought it yet, so decided against going there to lift it (how would that look??)

I do think it is something to do with water too, but its position is terrible! - why would someone put it there..?

G_M

JamesAbb wrote: »

Thanks, Levs, we have not bought it yet, so decided against going there to lift it (how would that look??)

I do think it is something to do with water too, but its position is terrible! - why would someone put it there..?

1) How would it look? Who cares? You are spending £x00,000 on a property - if you want to check, investigate, understand, then go ahead! And if it's a Probate sale, who is going to be there when you next visit? Probobly an estate agent........

2) put decking over it? Are you mad!? A manhole, whatever it covers, is there so that whatever is beneath is accessible. If you must deck over it, then put a wooden decked 'hatch' over it which you can lift up to get at the manhole if need be.

3) it is almost certainly a drain - either rainwater from the roof and/or waste water from the house. Have you had a survey done? Was it checked/mentioned? It certainly makes sense (and can do no harm) to check it is not blocked. As suggested, lift the cover (take a strong screwdriver or wrecking bar) and run a tap or flush the loo. Chances are you'll see water flow along down below. If you see water rising up it means there's a blockage.

4) why put it there? Either because
a) it's on the route between the house and main sewer, or
b) there's a bend in the drain at that point, so an access is put in to allow blockages to be cleared

ps - why do you want decking anyway??????? :huh:

jadex

it looks like waste water cover - I have such one in my garage;
there is no "good" spot to have them, they are where they are: plenty of them are reminiscences of old demolished buildings, changed street layouts, etc. as even when they reconfigure overground, often underground networks remain the same;
you can cover it easily: put some pots or planter on it - easy to move when access is needed

alumende27

Yes, it's almost certain it's for waste water. I have 3 in my garden at various locations, feeding the various soil pipes and waste water round the house to the main drain in the street.

A survey is unlikely to mention anything about manhole covers and a water and sewage search almost certainly won't show up anything on your property either.

I assume the house is vacant given it's a probate sale, so ask the estate agent if you can have a look. You may need a couple of large flat blade screwdrivers or similar to open it, but it looks like the handles are still in place.

If you're that concerned about it and where it goes get a CCTV drain survey. Should be able to get one for a couple of hundred or so.

And no, don't cover it with decking unless you make it accessible. It's there for a reason. Cover it with some plant pots if it offends.

glasgowdan

It is such a non issue you really sound a bit crazy!

I wouldn't go lifting it, or asking solicitor's about it, any more than I'd worry about the windows having a handle that doesn't match.

Put it to the back of your mind and move on.

marksoton

That's your latteral connection to the main sewer system. As above not a smart idea to cover it over.

It's only a light duty cover so whip it up for the avoidance of doubt.

Davesnave

JamesAbb wrote: »

I do think it is something to do with water too, but its position is terrible! - why would someone put it there..?

Its position is where it's required to be by its function.

It's a perfectly ordinary inspection chamber, millions of which exist in the UK.

If one of these 'annoys' a householder, they have various creative options to disguise it without impeding access, if required.

So the question is, how creative do you feel?

Apodemus

All has been said above, but I wish I had one of these! If my waste water system was to block, I would have little option other than to start digging as my property has no inspection chambers or rodding points. The OP should be glad that this one is there!

davidmcn

JamesAbb wrote: »

The wife wisely says to leave it, as it may cause complications and delays

And because it's clearly a portal to the underworld. Don't let the demons out.