DRAIN Pictures, Novice

[welwed]

Hi all,

We are currently investigating some problems with walls, possibly subsidence with our mid terraced house from 1956. We took some pictures of our drains and wonder if this looks all fine... ??

Thank you so much!!

Yours,
Alexander.

 

[joni os]

Subsidence is costly, not only will your insurance want you to pay the first £1000, but you will have to declare it when you sell property, possibly losing a sale or else having to reduce your price by up to 25% even when the property has been stabilized. The good news is that when movement is caused by a leaking drain it should be relatively inexpensive to rectify and provided the problem is dealt with at an early stage, it is arguable if it should be classed as subsidence in the sense that most people would understand. Get your drains tested for leakage, repair as necessary and ensure that any drains found to be lower than the footings are surrounded with weak concrete up to the level of the underside of the footing (This is for drains within 1 metre distance). Many firms do pipe lining, but my preference on a small job would be to excavate, repair and ensure adjacent footing is adequate all in one operation.

 

[welwed]

Dear Joni Os,

Thank you so much for answering!
What I actually hoped was, that someone whould have a short look at the attached pictures and would give a comment, whether or not the drains ARE broken, because I am not sure they are...

Thanks,

Alexander.

 

[joni os]

Can not tell state of drains from photos but a standing water test would confirm leakage. Basically seal pipe downstream with pipe stopper and fill drain with water to the level of lowest overflow. Ground floor shower, back inlet gully etc. Water level should not drop. If it does you need to take remedial action.

 

[Howsie]

Look ok from the pics but get them checked properly. Won't cost much for piece of mind.

 

[welwed]

Thank you both so much for your response!! We will investigate this further if the structural engineer who comes tomorrow thinks that there is reason to think that there is a problem with subsidence/drains.