Any Surveyors on here?

[W4NTED]

What does it mean when someone says "it is not clear how surface water drains from the property, as it would appear it is not connected to the public sewer".

What are the complications of this if any?

I have been made to believe that it means any rain water etc from gutters flows in to the front, side and back gardens and not underground to the sewers, is this correct?

[Sam_68]

It could mean several things; the water could be left to just run onto the gardens in the hope that it will soak away naturally (in which case, expect flooding in heavy rain), or there could be a system of private drains that lead it to a properly designed ‘soakaway’ somewhere in the garden (basically a covered pit full of porous material that assists the water to seep away into the surrounding ground), or there could be some other connection to a watercourse or public sewer that isn’t immediately obvious.

You need to ask your surveyor to explain why he thinks it isn’t connected and what he [i]thinks[i] happens to the water. He may not be able to give you a definite answer without using specialist equipment to trace the below-ground drainage runs, though.

The main implication is a risk of flooding if the water isn’t dealt with properly.

The solution would be either to connect to the mains sewers (if the local drainage authority will allow it; many systems, particularly in the South East, are heavily overloaded and new connections not allowed) or to provide a properly designed soakaway (which needs to be designed to work with the particular ground conditions of the plot).

[W4NTED]

Thanks thats very helpful. I have not had a full survey on the property as yet - this was picked up in the local water search and my solicitor wrote to me explaining what it meant. It seems like it would be wise to invest in a full survey.

[ginettag27]

In an ideal world you will be connected to the public drains or sewers.. If neither are available then the issue is as Sam 68 has indicated.

I'd weigh up the cost of the property versus the cost of a full survey. I think they're likely to be in the ratio of 200:1 (at least) makes it foregone conclusion, imho.

I guess the property is in a rural location? Is it connected to Mains Gas, LPG or Oil? How does soiled water get removed from the property? i.e. Does it have a septic tank?

It could depend on the soil in the area that you are located in, i.e. will it naturally soak up water or not. Feel free to PM the full address and postcode and we can check it for you.

[W4NTED]

Thanks, Its not in a rural area but in a very well established residential area. Everything else is connected as it should be soiled water etc goes to the drains it's just this issue about the surface water drainage which is not connected.

[ginettag27]

Okay, is it in a specific area of the property? Usually they like to see drainage in front of doorways and/or garage openings.. Usually those metal grates, which will mean that water won't stand where it's not supposed to..