Large concrete manhole covers

[Stasho]

Good afternoon,

I have viewed a property I am interested in buying which has very few problems with it, apart from two large concrete manhole covers in the back garden (this post is part building part garden related)-

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• Stasho
• 28 Jul 2012
• 1

Forgive my lack of knowledge but does any one have any suggestions for what they are used for? Also, if I decided to construct an extension or a conservatory in the future, is it possible to move these covers and the associated inspection pit? The photo below shows the manholes in relation to the rear of the house-

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• Stasho
• 28 Jul 2012
• 1

I understand the latter suggestion will be costly, but any advice from personal experience etc. would be much appreciated!

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Two chambers like like usually suggests two runs of drains. One will be for foul water, (toilets, sinks etc.), the other for rainwater.

May be possible to move them, but cost is likely to be rather expensive....

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Lift the covers and have a look inside. If they are private (ie only serving your property) moving them will likely be easier and less hassle than if they are shared ie serve yours and someone else's property. My first thought is that there is a run of foul and a run of surface water drainage running through the back gardens of the houses ie they are both shared.

If they are shared and you intend building over them then Waterboard will need to be involved and the cost of diverting them would need to borne by you.

As said have a gander inside or chat to the owner and take a photo, not roughly how deep they are and . Then report back.

Note that there are many conservatory company's out there who (rightly or wrongly) won't give a fig about the drains (they (you) don't need to get Building Control involved in a conservatory build so the drainage often gets ignored and the homeowner is non the wiser.