House buying and drains...

Anthony_Brandreth

Just bought our dream home after years of saving. We had a Home buyers Survey completed but now we have a major problem regarding drains within the footprint of the original pre extension house, built in 1895.
Basically we had a local firm in after finding backed up tissue and human waste in our yard area (where our grandchildren play) and they have sent a camera down the drain which showed a number of displaced joint that sit roughly 2 Metres under our extension/kitchen.
Couple of questions: we had United Utilities out who tested the manholes on either side,which both ran free when dyed - and they have said it isnt their responsibilty?
The Survey never flagged these issues up, so not sure were we sit regarding that?
We are told that the previous owners must have known and it was the reason they sold up (they were lovely people throughout to be honest though)
However I am now told that it will need slip draining (?) or worse a full excavation,the first option will be £600 plus and the other we dont want to even think about.
We havent even paid our first mortgage payment and its suddenly become a disaster, can anyone offer any advice?

Davesnave

If the previous owners didn't specifically state that the drains were in good condition, they have no liability. They may have known, but you are unlikely to be able to prove it.

A home buyers' survey wouldn't pick this up either. You had the option to have a drainage survey by a specialist, but it sounds that like you didn't. Most of us don't, although on a Victorian property, I probably would.

The dye test would only confirm that the drain was running freely on the day it was tested; a camera survey being needed to spot obstructions which cause blockages.

If sleeving the drain is possible, I'd go for that.

Chanes

If they think it can be sleeved it should work OK. I don't think you have any sound recourse to pursue the utilities or the seller from what you have said and if you took that path the £600 for a remedial work e would look like a really good deal compared to the solicitor costs and the uncertainty of success.

The house we bought two years ago threw some nasty and unexpected surprises too and cost us thousands to get right. It takes the shine off the purchase for sure but you will find an end to the trouble.

teneighty

Just a quick word of caution.

Some of the less scrupulous drain companies do have a habit of exaggerating problems to milk extra work out of householders.

If the water company have run dye down the drain and said it is running free just how bad are these displaced joints? Most older drains have a degree of displacement, a few millimetres probably won't cause too much of a problem and you will just have to be careful what you put down the drain.

As for the survey. The surveyor should lift accessible manhole covers for a Homebuyers Report but if the drain was not showing signs of restricted flow or backing up at the time of the inspection then the surveyor is in the clear.

Furts

teneighty wrote: »

Just a quick word of caution.

Some of the less scrupulous drain companies do have a habit of exaggerating problems to milk extra work out of householders.

If the water company have run dye down the drain and said it is running free just how bad are these displaced joints? Most older drains have a degree of displacement, a few millimetres probably won't cause too much of a problem and you will just have to be careful what you put down the drain.

As for the survey. The surveyor should lift accessible manhole covers for a Homebuyers Report but if the drain was not showing signs of restricted flow or backing up at the time of the inspection then the surveyor is in the clear.

My thoughts much along these lines. Over the years there have been countless drain survey companies putting cameras down drains and then saying to the home owner "Look at all the problems here". The reality is the consumer has not a clue on what they are viewing. That also assumes the consumer shows an interest and scrutinises the film. Many consumers cannot, or will not, or do not, show interest in this film but just pay out whatever is quoted.

Think carefully about your problem, and factor in they are old drains that may never have been laid perfectly in the first place.

arbrighton

Homebuyers report is a basic survey, they don't look at drains unless they can easily access and even then will cover ar** with 'get a specialist report' etcetc

Our full building survey specifically looked at the septic tank as we asked them to but it was absolutely clear the surveyor had no flipping clue how it was supposed to be and if it was problematic etc. And did not comment on the pipes between there and the house since he couldn't access them.

UU are only responsible for the mains, not the pipes on your property. Home owning is expensive and you need a contingency fund- things will not wait until you are more flush