Dicky99 wrote:didds wrote:Citizens Advice Bureau and check your household insurances for a legal helpline - and if the flat comes under a general all building policy ask for legal helpline details off the freeholder who presumably holds that buildings insurance
I agree that this is as much a legal issue as a technical one. You could start by looking at the wording of your lease to establish what it says about responsibility for shared drainage pipes or get someone with a legal understanding to do so for you.
Also be clear on the technical terms. Waste pipes are the small diameter pipes routed from each bath, basin, sink etc. These will likely be the responsibility for keeping free flowing of the flat in which they are located. These waste pipes each connect into a single larger diameter (4") vertical pipe known as a soil stack which will in turn connect into a below ground branch drain. Because the soil stack and branch drain collects drainage from all of the flats waste pipes it will be a shared responsibility to keep that free flowing as will the below ground branch drain which the soil stack discharges in to.
Thanks Dicky99
>>These waste pipes each connect into a single larger diameter (4") vertical pipe known as a soil stack which will in turn connect into a below ground branch drain. Because the soil stack and branch drain collects drainage from all of the flats waste pipes it will be a shared responsibility to keep that free flowing as will the below ground branch drain which the soil stack discharges in to.
Appreciated for stressing the importance of the the different pipes. Learn something new. =)
When I studied the manhole with the builder, each unit has its dedicated hole. I cannot be certain if the washing machine water from upstairs also comes out of the same hole as my washing machine. I did ask the builder to confirm from his test, but he hasn't replied. I think so because the pipe from upstairs goes back into my pipe, which shares the same hole. So that's why I'm interested in understanding if that's compliant to the building regulation for upstairs to be directing their waste pipe into my floor before I broach the subject to suggest diverting their waste else where, and avoid it from entering my flat. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge with me.