Hi I have a property where the gutter downpipe runs into the pavement and discharges somewhere underneath the pavement adjacent to the house front wall. I am suspecting theres a problem with where the water is going as front room has rot and damp in the floor by the front wall. In order to explore whats going on and fix it, I need a ticket from the council in order to get the pavement dup up at cost of around £1500 just for the ticket. My questions is what trade do I get in to do this?
gutter downpipe in to pavement issue
- Thread starter matz
- Start date
I would say a drainage specialist, or just a clued up builder.
Would it be cheaper to dig your floor up and have a look?
Airbricks fitted and clear?
Blank off the outlet and move the pipe elsewhere?
Can you remove the downpipe and get a camera guy in?
Would it be cheaper to dig your floor up and have a look?
Airbricks fitted and clear?
Blank off the outlet and move the pipe elsewhere?
Can you remove the downpipe and get a camera guy in?
I can take some boards up it's a cavity below. Great point ref the camera, only one small airbrick, can't 're route the downpipe at all, there's no where else for it to go. I could put a fitting at the end of the pipe and force the water out across the pavement to run it into the road but then got liability issues if it freezes I'm assuming. Thanks for the pointers, much appreciated!
OP,
Why not post a pic of the down pipe, & the outside pavement as it abuts the house - and a pic showing the damp/rot inside the house.
If possible annotate the outside pics to show where the FFL is, and the DPC.
Why not post a pic of the down pipe, & the outside pavement as it abuts the house - and a pic showing the damp/rot inside the house.
If possible annotate the outside pics to show where the FFL is, and the DPC.
You will need an approved contractor and permissions from Highways, to be able to work on a public footpath.
Does it serve more than one property, ie the guttering for more than one house in a terrace? If so it could be the utility providers responsibility.
And in any case, once it's left your boundary I presume it's their responsibility anyway.
And in any case, once it's left your boundary I presume it's their responsibility anyway.
see attached pipe. Its shows the PVC downpipe running down the front wall of the house. There are slight gaps in the kerb making me think thats an outlet but I'm unsure as they are almost blocked with tarmac residue. Behind the wall the pipe runs down is a front downstairs room, wooden floorboards with cavity beneath. The leading edge of the floor board closest to the wall is rotten and damp as is the corner of the skirtings in that area. I'm guessing the downpipe is somehow emptying into the foundations of the house causing the damp rather than flowing out onto the road beneath the pavement but I'm not sure how it all works. Other similar properties have similar downpipes but they exit in a gulley with a metal grille on top that runs to the road from the house wall.
Attachments
yeh I'm aware of the permissions I spoke to the council its about £1500 just for that
it serves 3 roofs inc ours. Water company told me its our responsibility having seen a pic of it etc
Tell them it's a drain, shared between 3 properties and it's outside your boundary. Tell them you'll complain to offwat.
What you going to do if that pipe runs to the main sewer 20 feet down in the middle of the road and it's collapsed right at the end? Major civil engineering works!
What you going to do if that pipe runs to the main sewer 20 feet down in the middle of the road and it's collapsed right at the end? Major civil engineering works!
OP,
The gaps in the kerb caught my eye - given other houses discharge at the kerb then it seems that your down pipe originally did the same - you could lift the short kerb stone, & attempt to rod it out from the gaps area?
However, the pipe may have perished?
You are on a slope & ground water could be moving downhill, and causing your inside damp issues?
Your front step is very low suggesting the FFL might be very low, & vulnerable to penetrating damp?
Is the wall solid - can you see the DPC - is it a stone build or do you have false stone effects glued on?
Always be cautious how you deal with your utility - they can cause you endless nuisance by, for instance, digging holes & leaving them unattended for weeks. They are well experienced in dealing with/brushing off complaints.
The gaps in the kerb caught my eye - given other houses discharge at the kerb then it seems that your down pipe originally did the same - you could lift the short kerb stone, & attempt to rod it out from the gaps area?
However, the pipe may have perished?
You are on a slope & ground water could be moving downhill, and causing your inside damp issues?
Your front step is very low suggesting the FFL might be very low, & vulnerable to penetrating damp?
Is the wall solid - can you see the DPC - is it a stone build or do you have false stone effects glued on?
Always be cautious how you deal with your utility - they can cause you endless nuisance by, for instance, digging holes & leaving them unattended for weeks. They are well experienced in dealing with/brushing off complaints.
SEE BELOW ANSWER FROM SEVERN TRENT FROM LAST YEAR
Good afternoon, Matthew,
My name is Adnan from the operations department,
Thank you for your email and the images you have provided regarding the discharge of water from the downpipe of the property and I hope you are well.
The downpipe of a property is a private asset which is not the responsibility of Severn Trent. The homeowner is usually responsible for maintaining the drainage pipes on the property boundary. Severn Trent is responsible for the main shared sewers usually the ones off the property boundary under the roads and it will be our responsibility to maintain and repair these.
From the images you have provided you have shown a drainage channel cut into the kerb but I will have to advise you that this would not have been put in place by Severn Trent and we would not be responsible if it is blocked up. Currently there are no arrangements on the end of Severn Trent for the discharge of water from that downpipe. I cannot confirm where this water will go as it exits the downpipe but I can only confirm that it will end up in our surface water sewers with all ground water from the area.
With regards to the area of damp at the front of the property I would advise you to contact your home insurance for them to come out and investigate this issue further and if they find any issues on the Severn Trent network we can come out to investigate further.
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