Buying a house with manhole under the dining room extension

eidand

I am sorry, but the owner is lying through his teeth. You cannot tell me that he didn't even notice this thing in the middle of hos living room. Yes I understand it's covered by a rug or what not, but rugs are moved even for cleaning.  I'd stay away tbh.

Davesnave

People's distrust of drains is only matched by their dislike of trees within the vicinity of the house.

First, establish what it and the drain does, by a drain survey of your own, if necessary. If that throws up no major issues, proceed in the understanding that even a person with an IQ of about 85 can replace a standard drain cover with a double sealed unit in the space of a day or so, if that isn't already in place and would make you feel better.

And the owner might not have been lying, as the OP says there's a 'floor' as well as a rug covering this inspection chamber (not man or person hole!)

jon81uk

Our solicetor got a report from the water company about where sewers were located, sounds like that sort of report would help you a lot.

April995

Mickey666 said:

eidand said:

I am sorry, but the owner is lying through his teeth. You cannot tell me that he didn't even notice this thing in the middle of hos living room. Yes I understand it's covered by a rug or what not, but rugs are moved even for cleaning.  I'd stay away tbh.

I tend to agree.  Did the current owner have the extension built?  If so, why didn’t they have it moved at the time?  It shouldn’t be a big job, especially if foundations were already being dug for the foundations.  Or perhaps there is some sort of complication that means it couldn’t be moved?  In which case, I’d want to understand why.

Hi Mickey, the current owner bought the house with the extension already built (he moved down from quite far away), he said he didn't know about the manhole till after he moved in and saw it as it was hidden under a rug during the viewings, and he said he wanted to be transparent with us so showed it to us.

Jeepers_Creepers

April, if this is otherwise your dream home, then it's worth carrying out some investigation of these drains yourself. Obviously it would be best if the seller did this - and they should if they wish to sell; they'd then have all the info they'd need to present to any future buyer should you pull out. But, there is no onus on them to this this if they don't want to. 

To his credit, tho', he was upfront about the drain; he didn't have to mention it, and fair chance he'd have gotten away with it. 

Provided the cover is a sealed type, I wouldn't worry about odours from normal day to day use. The 'issue' (gettit?) would come when/if there was a blockage and the cover required opening - that is pretty well bound to be whiffy, tho' to what extent depends on where the blockage is located, what the contents are, and how far backed-up it all is. 

A CCTV drain inspection shouldn't cost much - we've had one done recently and it was just over £100. That should tell you (even if there's no other way of knowing) what the condition of the drains are (very important), where they are going and what they are used for (obviously if only for rainwater, that would be good. But I doubt it...).

To carry out this inspection, however, they'll need an access point - I'm hoping you'll find one outside the extension in the garden? If there is one there, then there's actually a very good chance that any blockages under your floor can be sorted from there - there are all sorts of rod attachments that'll travel back up a drain and pull out the debris. So, if the drain is in good condition, and if there is a further inspection point outside that extension, there's a good chance you'll 'never' have to lift that inside hatch. 

If there isn't an external inspection point, then the drain survey will almost certainly need doing from that internal hatch, but - if it's all clear and in good order - that really shouldn't be an issue. If the report's all good, it would then be worth exploring if an additional inspection point can be added just outside the walls, and that would then hopefully become the main access point for sorting out any future blockages - the internal one could hopefully remain sealed 'forever'. 

I just don't agree with folk saying 'walk away'; it is surely worth investigating? If the owner doesn't want to do this, perhaps you let them know that - depending on what you find - you may have to revise your offer to cover making it all futureproof. 

As said by others, tho', if this turns out to be a shared drain, that's a much more serious matter. Perhaps it is time to walk away... :-(

Davesnave

jon81uk said:

Our solicetor got a report from the water company about where sewers were located, sounds like that sort of report would help you a lot.

Not necessarily, though it would show sewers that are shared, as these have been the responsibility of the water authority since 2011. Sad to say such maps are not always complete or accurate. I actually did much better by dowsing the local water main than the water authority did with CON29DW, which is what it's called,. They were 5m out, which is quite significant when you are digging foundations!

SpiderLegs

Hi OP
i have nothing to add ref your manhole situation, however I can offer the following advice.
you don’t ‘reach out’ to anybody. You ‘ask’ someone.

Business speak b0110cks

Sorry it makes me cross.

kingfisherblue

We moved into our house in 1994. The dining room was extended in the early or mid 1970s, and the garage was built at the same time. In 2002, we needed a wetroom building for our severely disabled son. At that point, we discovered that there was a manhole underneath either the kitchen extension or the garage - we're not sure which, as there are no access points. Both have concrete floors.

The only problem that we have had is needing a rather noisy pump for the level floor shower in the wetroom.

We have never had any smells, flooding, or any other concerns. I believe that there is a similar manhole every second house in my street.

It's worth further investigation if you really like the house.

jonnygee2

SpiderLegs said:

i have nothing to add ref your manhole situation

Don't bother posting on the thread in that case. People can write how they want if it is clear, it isn't your job to police the forum for language you don't like.

KeepOnKnitting

Just a thought, as I remember my Aunt had a drain under her conservatory extension, probably about 15-20 years ago. It had blocked, and was the communal sewer, so probably worst case scenario for ikk factor. Hers was noticeable because she was at the bottom of the hill at #6, so someone in numbers 8-40 had done something they shouldn't have. 

Where in the street is your prospective house? If you are at the top of the hill, you may be more reassured than at the bottom of the hill.