Manhole repleacment in my kitchen

Joined
6 May 2025
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
dover
Country
United Kingdom
Hi guys,
We are first in line of a row of 4 houses and just recenctly found that we had a manhole cover in our kitchen ( we have lived there over 30 years now ) due to the fact our next along neighbours were putting wet wipes down the toilet.
The manhole cover have been completly screeded over and was an absolute night mare to get to, we had to remove a kitchen unit to get to it.
The manhole its self was rusted to 'truck and would not reseat properly. At the the time i just cover it over with a matt and put the unit back.
I'm now looking to replace the kitchen and now face that arduous task of dealing with the mahole.
My plan was to replace the manhole and use lino to cover the floor as the majority if under the kitchen unit apart from one edge.

So my question is this;-

1. Do i need a triple or double sealed manhole replacement?

2. Is there anything I need to be aware of when doing it ie building regs etc?

The extension was built over 30 years ago as I also have a boxed in stench pipe in the kitchen.
I have placed an access point on the bottom fo the stench pipe ( as this was cut so the drains guy could investigae the backing up issue) so if access as ever needed i could access from here.
but I need to sort this manhole out before I start on the new kitchen.

Any advice would be truly welcome.

Sean
 
A lot of drains are now maintained by water undertakers, so you may need to speak to them regarding access.
 
I dont know about it but I would imagine that the manhole needs to be a watertight seal so when its blocked and back up it doesn’t flood your kitchen.
But yes I think it should be the water companies responsibility but not sure if that changes when you have built over it - also I though that any build ove will need to re rout the pipe or provide another manhole somewhere else
 
Shared Drains moved to be under the Water Companies responsibility in 2011, but given this likely predates that, I wouldn't worry too much, they're not likely to insist you alter anything. You need a double sealed, screw down cover/frame of a suitable size. Ideally one that can be fitted flush, and the flooring inset to match the surrounding so all that is visible is the outline of the cover.
 
Ok So as I’m first in line the water company are not interested because it is not a public drain, So it is solely down to me replace.
Upon further guidance from them and a drainage company I need a triple sealed cover .
So a good couple of pieces of information to be stored for others
 

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top