Manhole cover in back garden

MLTrucker

Good morning all.

A property which We are hoping to buy has a manhole cover in the back garden. My wife is worried that it could cover a disused cesspit. I couldn’t see any distinguishing markings on the manhole cover to determine what is under it. At the time I didn’t have any tools on me to lift it either. I have asked the estate agents to ask the vendor to see if they know. I’ve also asked the surveyor carrying out the homebuyers report (on Thursday) to see if they can find out. Also I’m hoping that the searches as part of the conveyancing may pick up something.

But short of lifting up the cover, is there anything I can do to try and find out what is under it?

Cheers

Robin9

Lift the cover up. You'll probably find its a junction of sewer pipes. Run a tap and flush the loo to check that all is flowing well.

davidmcn

MLTrucker wrote: »

My wife is worried that it could cover a disused cesspit.

What makes her think that's likely, and why would it be a particular concern? (I could understand more concern if the property still relied on a cesspit). Searches should include confirmation of whether the house is connected to mains drainage and possibly the route of any shared pipes on the property.

foxy-stoat

You can get the sewer plans fairly cheaply - something that the vendor would of had done on their searches - I would wait for the Estate Agent to get back to you.

vacheron

Unless she knows the property, or it's in the middle of the countryside, it seems more likely it is just an inspection chamber.

We have 3 in our back garden, 1 of which had to be moved during recent construction.

If it is an inspection chamber all the sewer pipes entering it may be used exclusively by the property in question. The problem occurs when they are shared with other properties which was something our architect at the time failed to check despite being asked to do so by building control which resulted in some rather expensive and unanticipated costs!

MLTrucker

Thank you all for your replies. I think it was my father in law who suggested that it may be a cesspit. The concern behind that it may collapse in the future.

societys_child

The concern behind that it may collapse in the future.

Why do you think that, does it look in bad repair?


All properties should have inspection chambers. I've noticed new builds have many more than older properties.

DCFC79

MLTrucker wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies. I think it was my father in law who suggested that it may be a cesspit. The concern behind that it may collapse in the future.

Yes may, its not certain.


If you can do as advised and run a tap while you lift up the cover.

FreeBear

MLTrucker wrote: »

I think it was my father in law who suggested that it may be a cesspit. The concern behind that it may collapse in the future.

The age of the property may give some indication as to whether it might have had a cesspit. If it does turn out to be one, it need not be a liability - I would regard it as an asset. Myself and a neighbour use ours as a soakaway for gutters & surface drainage. Saves a bit of money on the water bills