If you’re not sure whether your property is connected to a public sewer or a private one, you can: check with your sewerage company. check the deeds of your property. check a sewer map – your sewerage company must make these available to you if you ask.
How do I find out where my drain is?
Since all your drains lead to one central pipe, find a pipe you know is a drain, like a toilet or sink line. Follow the pipe until it ties into a larger pipe. Follow the larger pipe until it exits your basement or crawlspace. That drain pipe leads to your sewer line.
Do I need permission to connect to the drain?
Yes, you must get permission from the landowner before entering their property or doing any work.
Who is responsible for outside drains?
The sewers are where all the surrounding properties on your street connect to, so assigning accountability to any one of these is impossible. Therefore, it falls to the area’s water supplier to maintain and arrange repairs should any damage, blockages or wear and tear become an issue.
How do I know if surface water drains into the public sewer?
Check for Signs of Surface Water Drainage
The easiest way to find a soakaway is to follow the rainwater downpipes from your house and see how far they go. Often, the downpipes from your home will lead to a sunken area on your lawn.
The best way to find out if your property is connected to the public sewer system is through a drain survey. Professionals can look at the system in place, contact the local council and water suppliers, and inspect sewer maps to establish which drains are shared and which drains are your responsibility.
Who owns the drains outside my house?
The drains which carry household waste are normally the property owner’s (or the landlord’s) responsibility up until the boundary of the property where they connect to public sewers. There will often be a company maintained manhole at that point.
Although you and your neighbours share drainage in some capacity, you do not share drainage responsibility. Unless your tenancy states otherwise, the management company for your building are responsible for all drains up to the property boundary (purple) and the local water authority for drains beyond that (red).
Can I move a drain on my property?
You’ll also need to get permission from your local water authority. However, if the drain is within the property boundary, then that permission may not be required. Any new drains will need to be witnessed by the building inspectors for sign-off as part of building regulations approval.
Can I pull out my own drain?
No, you should not pull out your own drain. Contact your surgeons office and schedule a sooner appointment for the drain to be removed if it ready and if your surgeon does not feel the drain is ready to come out he can explain the problems that come with removing a drain too soon.
What counts as a public sewer?
Drains are privately owned and maintained as far as the boundary of the property. Beyond the boundary of the property a drain is referred to as a public lateral drain. A pipe that serves more than one property is referred to as a sewer. Sewers that connect to the public sewer network are referred to as public sewers.
Do plumbers deal with outside drains?
Blocked drain outside: DIY fix. There are steps you can take to fix an external blocked drain yourself, as long as it’s a fairly minor issue and it’s not a shared drain. If you’re at all in doubt, call a professional plumber or drainage expert who will have the tools to unblock the drain quickly and efficiently.
If you have a drain that is shared with your neighbour, the water authority will be responsible for the shared drain as well as the lateral drains (red). You are only responsible for the drain on your property that is not shared (purple).
How do you know if you have a private drain?
If you’re not sure whether your property is connected to a public sewer or a private one, you can:
- check with your sewerage company.
- check the deeds of your property.
- check a sewer map – your sewerage company must make these available to you if you ask.
- check with your local authority.
How do I know if my property is connected to surface water drainage?
How to recognise my property’s surface water drainage system. The easiest way to tell is to look along the guttering and follow it around the house until you see a pipe that comes down the side of the house and goes directly into the ground. This will indicate that the house is connected directly to the sewer system.
Do public sewers run under houses?
They are usually behind the houses by a few metres. Sometimes people build extensions over them (this is not actually allowed). In terraces they usually run behind all the houses, parallel with the road, then come forwards to join the sewer under the road at the end of the terrace.
What is classed as a private drain?
A pipe carrying sewage (waste water and excrement) that serves only one property is referred to as a drain. Drains are privately owned and maintained as far as the boundary of the property. Beyond the boundary of the property a drain is referred to as a public lateral drain.
In most cases, you can easily adapt the supply and drain pipes to accommodate two sinks, using tee fittings, special valves, extension pipes and hoses. You may have to vent each sink separately, though, depending on your local plumbing codes.
If your property is connected to the public sewer, it’s likely that there will be a sewer pipe and/or lateral drain located within your property boundary and you will need permission to build over or close to it.
Are blocked outside drains covered by home insurance?
Home insurance can cover accidental damage but won’t pay out for drain neglect or misuse. You’re responsible for the upkeep and repair of drains within your boundary.
What is the drain outside my house called?
What is a drain cleanout? A drain cleanout provides access to your main sewer line and is located outside of your home in the front or back yard. Cleanouts typically go unnoticed until there is a problem. They look like capped pipes sticking a few inches above the ground.