Builders seem to have clogged up rain gully

casper_gutman

We had a blocked gully following some work we had done, and I thought at first that it was blocked solid with cement, concrete or similar. However, on more aggressive investigation it was just fine dust/silt that had settled in the gully, and I managed to loosen it by poking with an old screwdriver and scooping with a small garden trowel and a rubber-gloved hand.

It took a bit of effort, but wasn't too difficult in the end. Is it possible that your issue could be something similar?

Boohoo

Reading the OP again it seems that the gully has rainwater and a indoor sink draining into the gully that is blocked.

Further on they say it goes to the foul water system.

I thought rainwater should go into a separate system and not foul drain as risk to overflowing sewage system.

Well it has been that way for a few decades regarding rain water and foul water systems on dwelling s

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866579#Comment_81866579

You’re right, but there is no rule requiring retrospective alterations. So if the property is old and that is how it was built under old regulations it can remain.

Having the reverse where sewage waste goes into drains meant for rainwater would require alterations.

casper_gutman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81866579#Comment_81866579

Our house also has rainwater going into the foul drain. It's been that way since the house was built over a century ago. There is only a single combined sewer in the street outside, so there's no way to correct the situation short of installing a soakaway big enough to take all our surface water drainage - and we're on clay soil so it would be a hell of a big one!

Swipe

I had the same problem where half my gully's u-bend was cemented. Luckily it's only the gully for my bathroom sink that doesn't generate much water flow. I'd insist on them replacing the gully and maybe next time they'll think harder when cleaning their cement buckets.

hatt55

The house is Victorian so its a combined system. I think all the houses around here have the same set up.

They are looking at it today so I'll see what happens.

WIAWSNB

What did they find, Hatt?

hatt55

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81874206#Comment_81874206

Always forget to go back to these!

Apparently it was a very thin layer of cement which was easy to break through. And then some gunk underneath. It does appear that its been cleared without any damage. One less thing to worry about on this job….