Collapsed drain (possibly)

[GreenArmy]

I fear i may have a collapsed drain outside my boundary. Am i responsible for cost of repair?

 

[adrianfs1]

anything that is not within your boundary is not your problem apert from letting your local authorities know about it.

 

[dontknowitall]

I understood if it was a drain it's your problem but if it's a sewer it's the undertaker's problem.

 

[GreenArmy]

I understood if it was a drain it's your problem but if it's a sewer it's the undertaker's problem.

Yeah, thats what i thought. It is the drain, not the sewer, but its outside my boundary. If it is collapsed as i think, its about 3 foot from my front wall.

 

[dontknowitall]

The sewer is where your drain joins up with someone else's so if it's before the join then it's your shout. BUT it could be worth a battle as it's outside your boundary - even if you get say 50% of the cost recouped.

Good luck!! Rather you than me, but I do hope you win.

 

[tamz]

If you have a disconnecting manhole "usually" everything on the outlet side is the LA's responsibility. Get in touch with them anyway.

 

[Centralheatking]

REcent experience of this is that if you are the head of the drain system with nothing above joining in then its your responsibility
all below is shared and becomes the utilitys responsibility.

centralheatking

 

[justlead1]

Drainage people often have video equipment to inspect the drain and give a diagnosis of the problem. But make sure the evidence they show you is in fact your drain/sewer and not one they made earlier.

 

[wheeto]

Drainage people often have video equipment to inspect the drain and give a diagnosis of the problem. But make sure the evidence they show you is in fact your drain/sewer and not one they made earlier.

That souds incredibly cynical!!! I take it you've had a bad experience?

 

[helpsy]

Always worth a phone call to your supplier first.
Good Luck

 

[Bernie2]

Hmm!

In my area as far as I know its the householders responsibility right out to connection into the main council sewer, even if that connection is in the middle of a road. You can be talking loads of money.

Check building insurances.

You may also be able to get the drain lined instead of dug up, but of course it depends what is wrong, which is usually a camera job to find out.