Can I ask my neighbours to reroute their rainwater drain that runs through my garden?

Section62

susi_oh_susi said:

The drain company that carried out the neighbour's drain survey stated in their report: Shared Run: NO and under Comments: Run becomes shared at 0.5m after crossing the boundary. The drain survey that we had carried out on our drains showed no connecting drains. And our rainwater drain runs straight out into the main drain in the road and our manhole only shows our foul run.

Did the neighbour get a copy of the video of their drain survey?  If so, what can be seen at the point 0.5m after crossing the boundary?

The way I'd interpret these findings is there is a junction on this pipe 0.5m away from the boundary on your side - the junction would mean one of your own pipes joins the neighbour's one, therefore it becomes shared (and a public sewer) from that point onwards.

If this is a junction - rather than a manhole - then the people carrying out your survey wouldn't necessarily have known it was there and looked for it.  Typical drain surveys only check the pipes which are accessible from manholes, and the problem with surface water drainage is it tends to have fewer (or no) manholes to gain access.

A possible explanation of your situation is that the pipe going to the main sewer has become damaged and a previous owner of your property - rather than getting this pipe repaired - has instead had a new pipe laid directly to the public sewer.  Thus leaving you with the situation your neighbour's pipe crosses your property, but you have your own separate direct connection.

However, that doesn't change the basic fact that if the neighbour's drain ends up in the public sewer then the length of pipe in your property is a lateral drain which is the responsibility of Thames Water.  You just need to persuade TW to investigate.

susi_oh_susi

Unforunately we have not seen our neighbour's CCTV drain footage.

I attach copies of drain report from the neighbour's and we added on the Investigation Layout Plan our RWG and run and position of manhole and that the neighbour's say that they have no manhole.

I would very much appreciate your comments.

chris_n

I would be putting some dye down their drain and checking for it at your manhole.

susi_oh_susi

A letter from the drain company stated that the damage of the defective drain pipe is minor and that it is in front of my bay window. I am concerned that this defective pipe might have caused damage to the foundations of my home and that it might be in the way if I'd like my coal cellar to be excavated and enlarged.

I've asked my neighbours if we could get a second opinion to determine where the pipe leads to, but so far they have not agreed.