It’s very common for people to be unsure of who is responsible for blocked drains and the maintenance of drains. Whilst most believe that the property owner must maintain drains on their property, or within their boundaries, this isn’t always correct.
We have put together this helpful guide to offer more information about the maintenance of drains and who is responsible for them.
What Are The Signs of a Blocked Drain?
If you are experiencing any of the following, then it may be a sign that you have a clogged sewer drain and they may need cleaning and maintenance:
- Slow draining water
- Gurgling noises
- Raised water levels
- Strong pungent odours
- Lack of water pressure
A clogged sewer drain will not fix itself and the problem will not simply go away, it will generally get worse. If left untreated, drains may overflow and/or suffer serious damage.
Which Drains Are My Responsibility?
Establishing that there is an issue is the first step. But how do you know who is responsible for resolving a clogged sewer drain?
Private Drains
A drain on your private land (within your boundaries) is your responsibility to maintain. You must ensure the upkeep and maintenance of your private drains. If your private drains start to affect other properties, the local authority can insist that you undertake any necessary work.
Alternatively, the local authority may carry out the work on your behalf and send a hefty bill to you! Of course, you can call in the experts such as ABS who can clear any blockages and maintain your private drains for you.
Lateral Drains
Lateral drains are located outside of your property and carry water away from your home. As these drains are located outside of your boundary, it is the responsibility of the local water and sewer company to maintain and resolve any issues.
If you or a professional drain cleaning company identify an issue within a lateral drain, it is important to contact the local water company to ensure they are informed promptly to prevent further damage or issues.
Sewer Drains
Sewer drains are located outside of your boundary and connect to lateral drains to carry waste water away from all connected homes. These drains are publicly owned and are therefore the responsibility of the local water and sewer company.
Cesspit / Septic Tank
If you are not connected to a mains water and waste supply you may have a cesspit or septic tank on your land. The maintenance and cleaning of this is solely your responsibility. You must ensure that these are regularly cleaned and maintained to prevent serious environmental hazards.
Where drains are your responsibility you must pay for a clogged sewer drain to be cleared and maintained. However, where a drain is the responsibility of your local water authority then they must clean and maintain your drains to prevent overflow and damage.
How Do I Find The Drains On My Property?
Identifying where your drains are under your property (and within your boundaries) can help you should you wish to extend your property or if you suspect that you have a clogged sewer drain or a leak.
In some cases, you may find this information on your deeds from HM Land Registry if you are the property owner. If you cannot locate this information the local water authority may be able to provide this to you. However, their information is not necessarily always up to date. Another alternative is to conduct a CCTV drain survey. You can also search around your property within your boundary for a drain cover, this indicates an access point for your main drain.
ABS Local Blocked Drains Experts
At A Better Service, we provide 24/7 assistance for cleaning and maintenance of a clogged sewer drain. We aim to respond to all emergency call-outs at all hours.
If you suspect you have a leaking or clogged sewer drain, our team will act quickly to prevent any overflows of sewage. We can also help to identify whether the issue lies within your boundary, a neighbouring property, or drainage which is the responsibility of the local water and sewer company.
