Gulley and waste pipes (Ed.)

[whatsreallygoingon]

Hi all

Newbie here and also a complete DIY novice (relatively new homeowner) - please go easy!

I had two new gutters installed on low roofs last week, but it's opened up a can of worms and sent me down a rabbit hole - that can of worms being drainage access.

The entire half of the back garden where pipes go is covered by decking. The decking on the first picture I've attached does look like it's been cut in a way where access to the sink gully can be got at, if needed, however - I can see absolutely no way of getting those three sections up. I can see the gully through a tiny gap and it looks to have various bits of debris on top. Whilst I've currently got no issues - I think access is needed for peace of mind (and I'd quite like to clear the debris)

My other question - in relation to the second pic - right pipe is waste, left is main downpipe from high roof gutter. Is that downpipe likely to have its own gully (I can't see one, but the gaps in the decking are small), or, could it just feed round the corner to that sink gully? The same question also applies, re access. The little section in-between the two pipes lifts up - but you can't get at, or see much, through it. Given the waste pipe will go into the ground, access here isn't as much of a concern as the other - I guess just more curious.

The house is very old, it's a combined drainage system.

My naviety, as someone new to this, is probably coming through so, as I say, go easy!

Thanks

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Remove the Green Decking screw, you might just find that section of Decking lifts out. Really need to see what's going on below before advising any further.

Doesn't appear to be a vast number of screws holding any of it down, which currently may well work in your favour. I'd suggest lifting the boards around where the pipes go through, and ascertaining how everything is connected up under there. If it's not ideal, then you've a chance to either alter it as required, or provide some sensible access to maintain things going forward.

 

[Madrab]

+1

- bit of a bodge though, they could have at least drilled the board before piling a decking crew into it, was always going to split along that groove without a pilot.
Unscrew the screws until they're almost out but still in the decking board, then use the screw itself to pull the board up and out, presume the others will just lift up then.

 

[whatsreallygoingon]

What I also should have said (apologies), is that I had a couple of low roof gutters installed last week - one of which you see the downspout for in the picture - those those two decking screws, they were actually put in my the guy doing that, after cutting out the space for the downspout.

After examining as close as I can I think I can see two original screws from when it was first laid - but they are very well hidden, and deep routed.

I have a guy who does odd jobs for me, that are outside my wheelhouse - he thinks he can get them up, without damage, then lay them back with a hinge mechanism so I can get at the gully as, and when (hopefully never!), needed. That sounds perfect... in practice.

What it has done, at least, is give me a nudge to learn properly about the drainage system; because I had no idea. From what I can see, there's a trough (looks to be cement) that runs from the roof downspout in the second picture, round to the gully (albeit said trough looks to have patches of stones/rubble in it, as you follow it)

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

If you can get the boards up, then do so, take some pictures of what's underneath and we'll be better placed to advise on what, if any, action needs to be taken.

 

[whatsreallygoingon]

Cheers for the replies.

Turned out the gully was blocked (water 2/3 way up) as well as been covered in various stray objects. Had two goes at it - first day I had my hand down - pulling out all sorts including screws, glass, stones, and A LOT of lovely black gunk. Second session I had some drain rods down - it's now down to a little bit of standing water, which I believe is normal for the kitchen sink drain.

Hopefully it's now sorted but, given I now have access, I'll keep an eye on it sporadically. The decking boards above are quite a tight fit so there's actually no need to screw them back in after getting them up. They're pretty snug