Blocked Drains Outside – Who Is Responsible?

Blocked drains are one of the most frustrating and inconvenient plumbing issues that every homeowner is likely to experience at some point. It is also sometimes difficult to know whose responsibility it is to call in the professionals when things need fixing. Is it a shared responsibility or do you need to organise and pay for the drain engineer in Wirral on your own? It can become stressful when it is time to work out who is liable to pay towards any repairs, but we have put together a guide to make your life easier.

If you own the property

If you are the owner of the building and the blocked drain is on your property, you might assume that you are responsible for the repairs if something goes wrong. However, it can depend on the location of the blockage.

Don’t get too excited though, more often than not you will be responsible for your own blocked drains in Wirral, especially if your property relies on a private sewage system. If there is any damage to the drain, then the repair for the broken drain will fall with the property owner, and this can include the excavations and relining of the pipes to ensure that your water flows freely in the future.

If you are a flat owner, and any other shared buildings, then you will generally have a management company to take responsibility for the building maintenance. The payment will normally be taken in monthly or annual maintenance fees and means that there are no arguments if there is a large-scale repair that needs to be sorted. However, if the issues are solely in your flat or property, then it will normally fall to you to organise and pay for the repairs.

If you are a tenant

If you are renting a property, then as a tenant you will usually be able to pass on repair and maintenance costs to your landlord, including your drains. However, it is important to note that this is only if you keep up with general maintenance, and the issue was not solely your fault. For example, if it transpires that the reason for your plumbing emergency was because you didn’t notify your landlord of any previous drain issues, or they find that you have put something untoward down the toilet, there could be a case for the tenant to be liable for the repair costs. You will also need to check your tenancy agreement before you sign on the dotted line – some agreements nowadays will include tenant contributions for maintenance repairs, including a blocked drain in Wirral. You don’t want to get caught with unexpected bills, so before you commit to renting a property you need to ensure that you check the tenancy agreement before signing and ask for clarification from the landlord or letting agent.

If you have a blocked outside sewer drain

Generally, if the sewer drain is outside of your property boundaries, then it will be up to the council or the water company to organise and pay for the drain engineer in Wirral. Property owners are not responsible for sewer drains or lateral drains, so make sure you understand what is causing the plumbing issue before you organise for a professional to come and sort out the damage. A lateral drain is the waste pipe, and they usually go outside of the property boundaries and underneath the public roads. A sewer drain will then collect the waste and the water from the lateral drains and take them even further away from the property itself.

If you are unsure who is responsible for your drain issue, then you can contact your water company for clarification. In some cases, you may also be able to ask the sewage company to take responsibility for a private or lateral drain, but it will all depend on the condition and standards that the company requires before undertaking repairs.

Who is responsible for drain covers?

Drain covers – the round flat covering of a manhole – are another source of confusion for many owners, and they could be the responsibility of the property owner. If the council or a water company takes care of the drain (such as a lateral drain or a sewer drain), then the drain cover is likely to be a public drain – even if it is on private land, such as in your garden or on your drive. Anything that is classed as a private drain is the responsibility of the property owner, but the easiest way to know is to check the drain cover itself. If it is a public drain, then it will most likely have the name of the water company embossed or engraved on the cover.

What causes a blocked outside drain?

There are several different causes of a blocked drain, and many different factors such as the type of drain and its location can affect it. The most common causes of a blocked outside drain include:

• Plants – in some areas, garden plant or tree roots can reach the drains and slowly grow into them as the roots and plants are attracted to the water that flows through the pipes. This will slowly cause a blockage and can eventually lead to the roots and plants cracking the pipes. If this happens, then you can cause a major leak or flood in your garden, and it will need a full excavation and pipe refit to solve.
• Leaves – you will often find that leaves can be the culprit when it comes to a blocked drain outside, particularly in Autumn. Leaves can cover the grids or the outside drains and eventually be washed down into the pipes inside, and if left untreated can cause a block that is difficult to remove. If you want to avoid this issue, then sweep up any leaves or debris and dispose of them in your garden waste bin regularly.
• Food waste – as your kitchen sink usually flows straight outside, anything that you wash down your sink will end up in your outside pipe. Food waste, sticky fat, and slimy grease can end up lining the inside of your outside pipes and forming a clog that will slowly grow over time
• Soil or sand – if you end up with a collapsed drain, then soil and sand from the earth can end up becoming lodged in your outside pipes. You will need a professional to come in and fix this issue, as it could turn into a major disaster before you know it.
• Toilet roll – as you know, all the pipes inside your house will eventually end up outside – so anything you put down the drains inside can cause an issue outside. One of the most common outside drain problems simply stems from a build up of toilet roll. While toilet paper is designed to disintegrate and flush away easily, if you use too much this can quickly form a large blockage that can be hard to budge. This will only get worse if you also flush down sanitary products, face wipes, and baby wipes – and you will need the experts to come and clear your pipes if you think that this is the issue.