manhole

bozzy18

Hi folks, we are planning to enlarge and enclose our existing porch but the stumbling block we are facing is the manhole in the existing porch. We were planning to leave the flooring as it is including the manhole and build over it.

Building Control says we have to get Southern Water to approve this. I approach Southern Water who says they need to send a technician team with CCTV equipment first to check the pipework but need £948 upfront! £948!!! Jeez how can they justify that?

Especially with Thames Water charging £348 - how can Southern Water justify tripling the charge.

Any advice folks or do we have to swallow and pay this fee?

Cheers.

Doozergirl

If that's the fee, that's the fee.

I'm in Severn Trent area and we can do our own CCTV before and after and send it to them, which might save a bit if you're able to, but where we are it's an add-on, so that takes the price up, iyswim.

sevenhills

What you need to google is 'build over agreement'.

Warwick_Hunt

sevenhills wrote: »

What you need to google is 'build over agreement'.

I think he's worked that one out given he's spoken to the water authority.

LadyDee

Would a sort of "removable" floor work? I sort of picture like a decking floor laid on joists - rather like a posh pallet. Perhaps in two halves so the bit over the manhole could be just hinged back?

Furts

bozzy18 wrote: »

Hi folks,


Any advice folks or do we have to swallow and pay this fee?

Cheers.

Your porch work should have a design. This should go forward as a Full Plans Buildings Regulations application. The design process will include lifting manhole covers and seeing what is happening with drainage. So it is up to you who you pay to do this. If it were me I would simply lift the cover, peep in and see what flow direction? foul or surface water? is it shared? and check things out. I would pay nothing to anybody. You too could do this, or get a friend, or family to do it if needs be.

Doozergirl

LadyDee wrote: »

Would a sort of "removable" floor work? I sort of picture like a decking floor laid on joists - rather like a posh pallet. Perhaps in two halves so the bit over the manhole could be just hinged back?

No!

10 characters.

bozzy18

Thanks all. We are planning to leave the flooring as it is as it has been recently paved and looking very nice. The old manhole has been replaced using recessed cover so it all blended in very well. The pipes inside serves the WC and no other use. We are at the top end of the cul de sac and the pipework goes downhill towards other properties. The porch will just enclose the old open porch area and provide for a new front door. The existing front door will be replaced by an internal door.


It looks like that the safe bet (to avoid risks of problems in future) to swallow the bullet and pay the £948 fee to Southern Water!

Doozergirl

You're not sharing with anyone else, just your own waste?

No build over agreement required if it's only your 'stuff'

Furts

bozzy18 wrote: »

Thanks all.


It looks like that the safe bet (to avoid risks of problems in future) to swallow the bullet and pay the £948 fee to Southern Water!

Your choice here, but you are paying through the nose, and it could be an unnecessary cctv. This is what the excellent doozergirl is alluding to above, and I was pointing towards this view with my earlier post.

Also ask the elephant in the room. You have decided to go ahead with the work, regardless. So the savvy way forward is to not risk any bad news and not seek Southern water involvement. If you want a cctv get it done by someone else so if the news is bad at least Southern Water will not be aware of this.

Owain_Moneysaver

bozzy18 wrote: »

Thanks all. We are planning to leave the flooring as it is as it has been recently paved and looking very nice. The old manhole has been replaced using recessed cover so it all blended in very well.

If that's an external manhole cover it cannot be used inside a building.

If you used a double-sealed locked recessed cover you can leave the manhole in the building.

http://www.manholecovers.co.uk/catalogue/recessed-steel-access-covers/double-seal-double-cover-recessed-airtight-seals