I've moved into a house in Woodbury around a year ago and have had problems with drains which I beleived was either a) a collapsed or b) blocked mains drain. I've had a company out to look at the problem who have found a manhole cover in the front garden which is full to the top with water. They have bailed out around 20 buckets from it however the manhole goes down around 1mtr and then starts to widen out although obviously cannot see very much. what I'm keen to find out is whether there is any way (national register etc) to find out whether or not this is a septic tank and what the history is (size etc) I am having the water I can see pumped out on Monday
2006-10-26 22:36:12 · 19 answers · asked by james j 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
if the tank is full ofshit it is a septic tank call the local council/town hall they will have records of the property
2006-10-26 22:45:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you live in the UK. First, if you rent your house the landlord will be able to tell you. Second, if you have bought the house and I assume you have, the details of mains drainage vs sceptic tank should have been established by your conveyancing solicitor. If he hasn't he is at fault and has not completed the transaction correctly. The details of whether you are on mains drainage or not will be detailed in your house deeds. These used to be held by the land registry, however it is more normal now for all the paperwork to be held by the home owner. The Land Registry only keep a copy of the Title Deed. All the deeds to my property were sent to me following the completion of the purchase and I still have a mortgage.
On a more practical note, I am on a sceptic tank and also have a disused one in the garden. Look at the water coming out of the man hole. If it is clear and has no solids in it it is probable that you have a disused sceptic tank on your land. How old is the property? Before mains drinking water was introduced many houses were provided with drinking water by the collection of rain water in an underground cistern. Basically these were concrete sumps, normally rectangular in shape, buried below ground, which collected rain water from the roof of the house. These were normally capped with a man hole cover as well.
Hope this helps solve your conundrum.
2006-10-27 07:51:48 · answer #2 · answered by Chariotmender 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible that this cover is just for access to clear blockages in the sewer pipe.
As others have said, the answer should be with the council. You can check the original planning permission to see if your home is on septic or mains sewer.
Usually tanks are near the surface. You could take a shovel and probe around. If there is a septic tank it will be a large concrete or possibly plastic tank.
2006-10-27 06:22:31 · answer #3 · answered by Munster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they were taking out buckets of water then its a storm drain.
If they were taking out buckets of sewage its either a blocked main or septic tank.
If you had a septic tank you should have been told that during the buying process. Contact your solicitor if it turns out that you have one and haven't been informed, particluarly if the problems have been ongoing since you moved in.
It should also mean a lower charge if the water company is aware of it. Your water bills should list fees for both water supply and sewerage
I have a septic tank, it has two covers and also a vent. Its been emptied twice in 54 years.
2006-10-27 10:21:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd contact your local water authority they should know. The manhole could be for main sewage, and there is a blockage further down. Try asking the neighbours if they have the same problem, they would probably also know if you had a septic tank. I'm surprised you weren't told before you moved in.
2006-10-27 05:43:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are on mains drainage your water bill will show an amount for sewage. Since we moved to a house with a septic tank our water bill has dropped from about £200 to £60 a year because we are only charged for our water supply now.
2006-10-27 05:55:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your local councill should be able to tell you.
***HOWEVER***!!!
A friend of mine paid sewage charges on his rates for about 13 years, then had a drainage problem where it transpired that he and the adjacent 3 cottages were on a private septic tank, they had ALL been paying! It took about a year to get the money back from the council. Now they share the costs of any repairs and emptying.
2006-10-27 06:12:41 · answer #7 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drains, check with your local planning authority, they may have records going back to when the house was built, as to where it is on the mains.
Are you paying for mains drainage from your water company? that would be a clue.
The Environment Agency may have information (ie a discharge consent)
Ask Environmental Health...
You seem to have gone straight to the people who charge for help and advise, and it is in there interest for you to have lots of work done, The above maybe able to advise for free, without hidden agendas
2006-10-27 13:15:43 · answer #8 · answered by paul B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a 'man hole' cover, you have a septic tank. Have it pumped out. Be sure the effluent is agitated while it is being pumped out. How is your sand mound? Leach field? You don't want solids going to either of these. Bad news if it has.
Hope this helps...atleast a little.
Link below!
2006-10-27 05:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have a septic system. It probably needs to be pumped out. Don't wait to long. You don't want it to fail. Will cost small fortune to replace. Good luck
2006-10-27 08:27:47 · answer #10 · answered by tlc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋