Plumbers NZ is New Zealand's largest online plumbing, gas and drainage resource. Plumbing exam help, plumbing news, directory and free quotes.

Author Topic: Public sewer drain directly under house  (Read 2909 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Aker

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Im new @ Plumbers NZ!
Public sewer drain directly under house
« on: March 01, 2016, 11:14:24 AM »
HI, looking at buying a house (via auction, so no guarantees) in Ponsonby that lies directly over a public sewer "1200 CONC" built I gather in the 1930's.  Trying to assess the risk.  I presume it's concrete - so first question - how long does a concrete pipe last?  Might it start smelling/leaking? If there's a problem how do they access/fix - do they need to dig up from below house?  Is it still in use even (it cuts across Richmond Rd).  How deep down are these things?  Who would pay for any damage to my property if they need access?  And any other info re implications would be useful.  Thanks!!

Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/drainage/83/public-sewer-drain-directly-under-house/1956/

Offline rocketeer2

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 17
  • Karma: +6/-0
Re: Public sewer drain directly under house
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2016, 08:55:34 PM »
Hi Aker,

Sounds like you are doing some great due diligence before making an offer on this property.

There are lots of underground services that run throughout all cities and it is not uncommon to have services such as a public drain running through a property.

A 1200 diameter public sewer is a very large drain and a critical piece of infrastructure that likely serves a significant number of properties.

How long the concrete drain will last is difficult to know, but it is common for asset managers to ensure critical infrastructure such as this is regularly inspected to assess its condition. In the case of a drain like this, it is most likely periodically CCTV camered.

You could enquire with Water Care in Auckland to see if they have a recent report on the condition of this pubic sewer main, if they have any scheduled maintenance planned and if they have plans to renew or replace this drain at some stage. Watercare should also be able to give you the invert depth of the drain, or, you could open the nearest sewer manhole to get an indication of the depth.

Regarding smelling/leaking, if the drain is in sound condition, there should be no issues. As I mentioned above, assessment of the condition of the drain would likely be done by CCTV camera. If Water Care does not have a recent report on its condition, or you were concerned, you could engage a suitably qualified drainlayer yourself to camera the drain to give you an independent opinion of the current condition of the asset.

When access is needed to the property to renew or repair the drain, the cost of the work and any associated damage would likely be borne by the asset owner (Watercare). Be aware that there are a number of ways that drains under a building can be repaired or renewed, including trenchless methods.

Another thing to consider is for the future, if you extend the existing dwelling over the public drain, or you demolish the existing house and rebuild on top of the public drain, you would likely be required to renew the drain below the footprint of the new building at your own expense.

All the best with the house hunt!




Offline Joel22

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 3
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Im new @ Plumbers NZ!
Re: Public sewer drain directly under house
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2017, 06:22:52 PM »
I totally agree with it. It seems like a very tough job and needs a lot of thinking, plans and tactics. I suggest to ask an advice from the expert before touching anything. Good luck.

Offline Plumber

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 736
  • Karma: +52/-2
  • ***#1 Plumber***
Re: Public sewer drain directly under house
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2017, 12:45:06 PM »
We have recently come across a job where the public manhole was located in the back of property. The owner wanted to extend the house and during consent application council specified an upgrade of this manhole as a condition for approval. Cost to do this was $16.000 + GST.

If you purchase a place that incorporates public services you would normally (although this may change depending on whether whats there was done by previous owners without councils knowledge etc..) not be required to pay for upgrades or repairs, but you will have the inconvenience of it happening when it applies.

If you intend to develop or do works that require consent, council may (in most cases they do) ask you to upgrade, relocate, repair or otherwise prior to approval. In any case you will always have to provide a CCTV of the drains as part of the application. So either way more costs and inconveniences will apply. 

Personally, I would stay away from such properties. Drainage costs could evolve into thousands and thousands of dollars very quickly.

If you end up buying the place make sure everything is on the existing plans and that everything complies. Get a surveyor in and document the existing state of the drain. Whatever you can get in writing from council removing your responsibility, make sure you get for later date.
Please note that the advice I am giving is only my opinion and not necessarily a fact.  Please refer to our terms and conditions.


Share via digg Share via facebook Share via linkedin Share via twitter

Similar Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies / Views Last post
question
Stormboss sewer pipe

Started by Plumber

2 Replies
2663 Views
Last post March 08, 2013, 12:34:14 PM
by Plumber
xx
Applying directly to companies vs ATT?

Started by AsianMuffin

4 Replies
7324 Views
Last post June 01, 2017, 07:27:11 PM
by AsianMuffin
clip
Under the house....

Started by anonymous

1 Replies
1434 Views
Last post June 15, 2014, 02:03:26 PM
by Rodza1
xx
Vertical and Horizontal Separation Sewer/Stormwater

Started by simpo

0 Replies
1150 Views
Last post June 20, 2016, 08:05:59 PM
by simpo
 
Share this topic...
In a forum
(BBCode)
In a site/blog
(HTML)