On 29/06/2010 19:11, D55 wrote:
Hi all.
broken drains.
The drain repair company began work yesterday and what they say is usually a
2 or 3 day job to fix these problems is going to take maybe 5 days.
They've already dug a hole about 4ft square and 12 feet deep and need to dig
plenty more. The updates they've given me, describe the pipework beyond the
back door of my yard
as very poor and loosely connected.
The law seems to say that the pipework up until it reaches the main sewer is
my responsibilty.

But it can't be fair for a home owner to be held responsible for pipework
that is 8 or 10 feet below ground level
beneath layers of concrete!

Has anyone had any experience of insurance claims is situations like this/

thanks.

Arthur.


If the drain is pre 1930 something the sewer authority is responsible.
After then it is not responsible beyond the public sewer which may be
far beyond the boundary of the property(ies) served by the sewer.

The deeds or covenants will often say who is responsible. Often lengths
of drains are the joint responsibility of all those properties served by
the drain.

Water companies sometimes offer maintenance contracts on the costs of
fixing drains etc.

Often household building insurance policies will include accidental
damage to drains. Accidental damage would include damage by subsidence
for example but not for general deterioration.