CCTV Drainage survey

pred02

Hi,

We are in a process of purchasing an old probate property that needs full modernisation. We've had a CCTV drainage survey carried out as it was recommended by our surveyor. The survey identified multiple areas of displacement within the original clay drainage system, including several major displacements, two cracked sections with displacement, and some scale/debris build-up. The drainage contractor has recommended descaling together with localised relining/repair works estimate c. £3500 of work.

How significant are these findings for a property of this age? Is this the sort of issue that is grounds for a price renegotiation, or does it fall within the range of expected maintenance for a house of this age and condition?

Thanks

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6671048/cctv-drainage-survey

Might be cheaper to get the whole drainage system relaid using uPVC if you are doing a full modernisation of the property. Relining is often suggested in the same way spray foam loft insulation is sold. (I.e. for the benefit of the salesperson, not the property owner)

What kind of measurement (in mm) are they calling "major displacements"?

On the whole drainage systems usually still work perfectly well with quite significant defects. If you don't get blockages then repairs may not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you are modernising the property (including the garden) then it makes sense to replace/repair seriously defective drainage before doing expensive landscaping above it.

Gonk1967

Did the CCTV surveyor provide you with a report with each defect graded? Defects should be graded as per the table below…

tacpot12

"How significant are these findings for a property of this age?" It doesn't sound that significant, but the cracks will be leaking water and this will be carrying away soil that might be supporting the pipes leading to bigger problems, so you definitely need to fix the problem.

"Is this the sort of issue that is grounds for a price renegotiation, or does it fall within the range of expected maintenance for a house of this age and condition?" While it falls within the range of the expected maintenance needed on a house of this age, the seller should have done the maintenance, and if they haven't, they can't expect you to pick up the cost UNLESS they were aware of the problem and had priced it into their asking price. If so, their advert would have mentioned it. If the ad. didn't mention it, they didn't know about it (or were hiding it) and their asking price didn't reflect the issue. I would be looking for £3,500 off the asking price and use the saving to re-lay the drainage in PVC, which will fix the problem and have a long lifespan.

doodling

Hi,

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82022571#Comment_82022571

Given that the seller probably didn't know about this then accusing them.of deliberately hiding it might be a little aggressive.

As with all price negotiation the answer depends on how desperately the seller wants to sell to you (in particular) and how desperate you are to buy.

If I was the seller I might offer a £500 reduction on the basis that yes, there is work you need to carry out but (assuming that I hadn't been having issues with the drains) it is not anything that needs to be done now and that if you as a buyer want to do maintenance early then that is your choice.

FreeBear

On the other hand, if you are modernising the property (including the garden) then it makes sense to replace/repair seriously defective drainage before doing expensive landscaping above it.

And while you are digging trenches, it is prudent to replace any lead pipes that may exist. Just make sure you have mapped out where mains cables and gas pipes run first.

ChirpyChicken

As above go the whole hog and redo it.

pred02

Thanks, I spoke with the drainage guy he did say that PVC pipe is alongside of the house and its fairly shallow, so when doing the rear extension I will likely need to excavate on the side to remove the bridged PVC. Here it makes sense to replace the drainage pipes with PVC.