Access to manhole covers

ARWadsworth

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Jun 9, 2010, 11:56:45 AM6/9/10

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Is there any requirement by law to keep access to manhole covers clear?

My parents recently noticed a blockage in their drains. Their drains feed
into the next door neighbours drains and the the next door neighbours drains
were also filled up. (so that is where the original blockage was but
standing turds/fat etc also caused a secondary blockage between my parents
and the next door neighbours drain).

When we tried to access the next door but one neighbours manhole cover we
found out that he has built a wall over it. Is there anything in the
building regs etc about allowing access to lift a manhole cover?

And yes it is DIY as it was me that had to rod the drains (with advice from
a friend on how to do it properly). It would be better if we could lift the
next door but one neighbours manhole to ensure that the drain is clear and
rod upwards with the "plunger" bit if needed.

Cheers

Adam

Tim Watts

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Jun 9, 2010, 12:37:21 PM6/9/10

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If it's anything like my deeds, your neighbour may have a legal
obligation to maintain their portion of the drain, being a shared sewer.

The other option is that the water company (waste) may have adopted the
same shared sewer - worth a phone call to them to enquire. If they have,
they'll be less than pleased about anything being built on top of any of
it, let alone a wall over the pit.

That's part of the reason I've never persued having mine adopted - I can
take a chance and lob sheds over it at my risk if the drain needs
attention - Although I wouldn't build anything more than a trival garden
toolshed over any of my pipe and certainly not over the two main pits!

--
Tim Watts

Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.

Bruce

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Jun 9, 2010, 12:51:30 PM6/9/10

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If built over, the manhole should be incorporated into the new
structure (usually in the floor) and the cover should be changed for a
sealed one. They come in various types including some with covers
designed to accept tiles, vinyl flooring etc. They can look
surprisingly good.

d...@gglz.com

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Jun 9, 2010, 1:08:06 PM6/9/10

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On 9 June, 16:56, "ARWadsworth" <adamwadswo...@blueyonder.co.uk>
wrote:

If the construction was (or should have been) subject to building
regulations, then the regs do have things to say about building over
drainage.

There may also be local byelaws (e.g. the fenland drainage companies
have them) limiting construction close to drainage (though that's more
about the flood drainage they maintain).

ARWadsworth

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Jun 9, 2010, 1:15:35 PM6/9/10

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"Bruce" <docne...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ufhv06pa53518m4rs...@4ax.com...

It is not a building structure/extension that covers the manhole cover. Just
a stupid outside garden wall about two foot high that runs across the
manhole cover. A photo would have replaced a thousand words in this case.

Adam

Steve Walker

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Jun 9, 2010, 1:30:37 PM6/9/10

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In which case it would have made sense for the neighbour to build a wall up
to each side of the manhole and fit a wooden or metal fence/gate type panel
in the gap or go arounbd it. It'd look slightly odd, but so what?

SteveW

Bruce

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Jun 9, 2010, 3:52:43 PM6/9/10

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On Wed, 9 Jun 2010 18:15:35 +0100, "ARWadsworth"

<adamwa...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
>"Bruce" <docne...@gmail.com> wrote

>>
>> If built over, the manhole should be incorporated into the new
>> structure (usually in the floor) and the cover should be changed for a
>> sealed one. They come in various types including some with covers
>> designed to accept tiles, vinyl flooring etc. They can look
>> surprisingly good.
>
>
>It is not a building structure/extension that covers the manhole cover. Just
>a stupid outside garden wall about two foot high that runs across the
>manhole cover. A photo would have replaced a thousand words in this case.

I apologise for not posting a link to a photo. ;-)