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Building an extension over existing drains
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Chris S
Mar 13, 2013, 6:11:40 AM3/13/13
to
This is probably spelled out in Building Regs., but, seeking a shortcut, can anyone give me the main issues relating to the following.
I am contemplating building a (two storey) extension on the side of the house as a rectangular add-on. To be viable this would mean that it would go over an existing run of straight sewer. (This is a sewer carrying neighbouring houses waste as well as mine). The sewer depth is about 1 metre. The footings of the outer wall of the extension would be parallel to and beyond the sewer, and the side walls would both cross the sewer at right angles.
The new extension would contain toilets and a shower which I would hope to connect to the sewer internally. There are existing inspection/junction boxes which would remain at either end of the extension.
Is building over a sewer allowable and likely to be uncomplicated in this situation?
The side wall footings would presumably need load spreading support going over the sewer pipe run. Would this need a detailed design, or are there standard guidelines?
How close, laterally, can a new footing be to a sewer pipe. (Thinking of the parallel wall)?
Is connecting extension drainage internally the best way?
Any other issues I should worry about? I'd appreciate thoughts from anyone with experience.
Thanks for your help.
I am contemplating building a (two storey) extension on the side of the house as a rectangular add-on. To be viable this would mean that it would go over an existing run of straight sewer. (This is a sewer carrying neighbouring houses waste as well as mine). The sewer depth is about 1 metre. The footings of the outer wall of the extension would be parallel to and beyond the sewer, and the side walls would both cross the sewer at right angles.
The new extension would contain toilets and a shower which I would hope to connect to the sewer internally. There are existing inspection/junction boxes which would remain at either end of the extension.
Is building over a sewer allowable and likely to be uncomplicated in this situation?
The side wall footings would presumably need load spreading support going over the sewer pipe run. Would this need a detailed design, or are there standard guidelines?
How close, laterally, can a new footing be to a sewer pipe. (Thinking of the parallel wall)?
Is connecting extension drainage internally the best way?
Any other issues I should worry about? I'd appreciate thoughts from anyone with experience.
Thanks for your help.
David.WE.Roberts
Mar 13, 2013, 6:29:28 AM3/13/13
to
over by the local water authority?
If so you will need their permission and probably have to pay them a fee.
At my daughter's house they wanted about £400 to allow her to connect in a
new soil pipe.
Cheers
Dave R
Andrew Mawson
Mar 13, 2013, 6:28:47 AM3/13/13
to
"Chris S" wrote in message
news:a311af1b-0e7c-44ae...@googlegroups.com...
As I understand it the maintenance of a common sewer (ie one serving more
than one dwelling) is the responsibility of the local water company. As such
you would need their permission to build over it. Probably there is a way
leave for it attached to your deeds, and if so it almost certainly precludes
building over it.
Can the sewer not be re-routed? That would still need their permission but
would be more satisfactory.
AWEM
news:a311af1b-0e7c-44ae...@googlegroups.com...
than one dwelling) is the responsibility of the local water company. As such
you would need their permission to build over it. Probably there is a way
leave for it attached to your deeds, and if so it almost certainly precludes
building over it.
Can the sewer not be re-routed? That would still need their permission but
would be more satisfactory.
AWEM
Caecilius
Mar 13, 2013, 8:39:06 AM3/13/13
to
On Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:11:40 -0700 (PDT), Chris S
<chri...@btinternet.com> wrote:
>I am contemplating building a (two storey) extension on the side of the house as a rectangular add-on. To be viable this would mean that it would go over an existing run of straight sewer.
I had this issue with a new build last year. I had to divert it, and
<chri...@btinternet.com> wrote:
>I am contemplating building a (two storey) extension on the side of the house as a rectangular add-on. To be viable this would mean that it would go over an existing run of straight sewer.
it needed to me more than a certain distance away from the foundations
(50 cm I think).
The water company (Thames water) were happy for me to divert, but
wanted to inspect and do a CCTV check afterwards. They also said it
had to be done with clay, not plastic.
It was a bit of hassle, but it all worked out OK in the end. The BCO
and Thames water were both happy with the job.
Tim Watts
Mar 13, 2013, 10:42:16 AM3/13/13
to
On Wednesday 13 March 2013 10:29 David.WE.Roberts wrote in uk.d-i-y:
> First thing you need to check - as it is a shared drain has it been taken
> over by the local water authority?
>
They all have, but default, as of last autumn if memory serves.
> First thing you need to check - as it is a shared drain has it been taken
> over by the local water authority?
>
--
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Reading this on the web? See:
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Chris S
Mar 13, 2013, 3:39:45 PM3/13/13
to
Roger Mills
Mar 13, 2013, 4:51:07 PM3/13/13
to
serving more than one property have recently (2011?) been taken over by
the water companies - so you will have to follow the same rules as you
would if it were a public sewer.
You will have to get permission and pay a fee. You will have to follow
the rules for building in a way which doesn't impose any load on the
sewer - typically by excavating to below sewer level, and bridging over
the sewer pipes. You will have to submit your plans for approval prior
to the event, and get the actual work signed off by a Building
Inspector. You are likely to have to pay for before and after CCTV
surveys to prove that your building work hasn't damaged the sewer. Oh,
and you'll probably be asked to perform a Risk Analysis! I had to do all
of this when I built a detached garage over a public sewer.
I don't know who your water company is, but Severn Trent have produced a
useful document which explains what you have to do in some detail. Go to
http://www.stwater.co.uk/content/conMediaFile/2602 and then download the
document in PDF format.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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John Williamson
Mar 13, 2013, 4:50:24 PM3/13/13
to
On 13/03/2013 19:39, Chris S wrote:
> On Wednesday, 13 March 2013 10:11:40 UTC, Chris S wrote:
> Thanks, useful replies. The Deeds describe the sewer as a private sewer, with no mention of Water Authority, but presumably if some blanket regulation has been applied, deeds wouldn't necessarily be updated when the house changes hands (last done 10 years ago).
The change was made in October 2011, as detailed here:-
> On Wednesday, 13 March 2013 10:11:40 UTC, Chris S wrote:
> Thanks, useful replies. The Deeds describe the sewer as a private sewer, with no mention of Water Authority, but presumably if some blanket regulation has been applied, deeds wouldn't necessarily be updated when the house changes hands (last done 10 years ago).
http://www.ccwater.org.uk/server.php?show=nav.1278#
It was an automatic change, and I've certainly had no notification by
the local water company about my shared drainage.
--
Tciao for Now!
John.
Tim Watts
Mar 14, 2013, 6:06:20 AM3/14/13
to
On Wednesday 13 March 2013 19:39 Chris S wrote in uk.d-i-y:
> Thanks, useful replies. The Deeds describe the sewer as a private sewer,
> with no mention of Water Authority, but presumably if some blanket
> regulation has been applied, deeds wouldn't necessarily be updated when
> the house changes hands (last done 10 years ago).
Here, read this:
> Thanks, useful replies. The Deeds describe the sewer as a private sewer,
> with no mention of Water Authority, but presumably if some blanket
> regulation has been applied, deeds wouldn't necessarily be updated when
> the house changes hands (last done 10 years ago).
http://www.water.org.uk/home/policy/private-sewers-transfer
You should find a statement and further expanation on your foul water
company's website...
Jonathan
Mar 14, 2013, 6:17:12 AM3/14/13
to
On Mar 13, 12:39 pm, Caecilius <nos...@spamless.invalid> wrote:
> On Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:11:40 -0700 (PDT), Chris S
>
> On Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:11:40 -0700 (PDT), Chris S
>
through the house and we had lintels put in the walls over it.
Building regs were happy with it.
Jonathan
Hugo Nebula
Mar 14, 2013, 4:02:35 PM3/14/13
to
[Default] On Wed, 13 Mar 2013 03:11:40 -0700 (PDT), a certain
chimpanzee, Chris S <chri...@btinternet.com>, randomly hit the
Perfectly normal, and something a BCO sees on about 50% of extensions
in urban areas.
Normal procedure is to excavate for the foundations below the
sewer/drain, and for about a metre either side. Depending on the
ground conditions (& local custom & practice), the concrete would be
stopped either side of the drain, or carried underneath. The concrete
& the wall above would be clear of the pipe for a minimum of 50mm
around it, and the hole where it passes through the wall sealed with
fibreboard (or more often than not, wrapped with Rockwool). The wall
would be built above off normal concrete lintels.
I would advise any new connections to be external to the building. If
they are internal you would need either an inspection chamber with a
double-sealed screw down cover inside the building (not pretty), or,
if the connection is a straight T or Y off the main run, a rodding eye
on the stub or vent stack. Imagine what would happen if this branch
blocked, and how you would rod or jet it clean (i.e., 'Dynorod'
bringing a sh1tty pipe through the house).
Since a few years ago, all post 1937 shared drains are now the
responsibility of your local utility company. In my area (NWEng), UU
have delegated the smaller building over agreements to the relevant
Local Authority Building Control section (IIRC, for built over lengths
of <6m, depths of <3m, and <225mm diameter drains). I don't know if
this is widespread or national. Check w/ BC at your council.
--
Hugo Nebula
"If no-one on the internet wants a piece of this,
just how far from the pack have I strayed"?
chimpanzee, Chris S <chri...@btinternet.com>, randomly hit the
in urban areas.
Normal procedure is to excavate for the foundations below the
sewer/drain, and for about a metre either side. Depending on the
ground conditions (& local custom & practice), the concrete would be
stopped either side of the drain, or carried underneath. The concrete
& the wall above would be clear of the pipe for a minimum of 50mm
around it, and the hole where it passes through the wall sealed with
fibreboard (or more often than not, wrapped with Rockwool). The wall
would be built above off normal concrete lintels.
I would advise any new connections to be external to the building. If
they are internal you would need either an inspection chamber with a
double-sealed screw down cover inside the building (not pretty), or,
if the connection is a straight T or Y off the main run, a rodding eye
on the stub or vent stack. Imagine what would happen if this branch
blocked, and how you would rod or jet it clean (i.e., 'Dynorod'
bringing a sh1tty pipe through the house).
Since a few years ago, all post 1937 shared drains are now the
responsibility of your local utility company. In my area (NWEng), UU
have delegated the smaller building over agreements to the relevant
Local Authority Building Control section (IIRC, for built over lengths
of <6m, depths of <3m, and <225mm diameter drains). I don't know if
this is widespread or national. Check w/ BC at your council.
--
Hugo Nebula
"If no-one on the internet wants a piece of this,
just how far from the pack have I strayed"?
Chris S
Mar 18, 2013, 7:32:48 AM3/18/13
to
On Wednesday, 13 March 2013 10:11:40 UTC, Chris S wrote:
armoure...@gmail.com
Oct 18, 2013, 7:40:59 AM10/18/13
to
I have been talking to Thames Water and it would seems that they cannot 'enforce'/not illegal that you inform them/apply to build over as my neighbour is building over a public sewer without informing them. What will happen if there is a problem with the sewer and it found to be the build then they will not pay the repair but will charge the person responsible. Also they will have to lie on there sellers form if they ever sell.
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