Below we have provided professional information about construction contracts and expert advice that you need to know if you plan to build an extension near (or above) a public sewer system. These are the basics that will help you get started if you want to move forward with your planned proposal. We need to conduct CCTV investigations before and after your work, and a local building inspector must also inspect the work. We can guide you through the process of obtaining a construction agreement and ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements. Download our brochure to learn more about building over a sewer. You may be able to obtain buildover consent with self-certification, or you may need to request a formal buildover agreement. It depends on the specifics of your property and your plans. Your local water company will not allow wells or drain covers to remain inside your property because the risk of flooding and odor problems is increased. Therefore, both wells must be completely removed and the wells guided through the wells must be rebuilt outside the extension work. Wells cannot be rebuilt due to the increased risk of flooding and odour problems caused by internal wells.
Whenever possible, trees should be removed and passed. If it is not possible to construct a well outside a building, we can discuss alternatives when we receive your application. When buying a property, you will be offered a drainage and water search, which will include a plan indicating the location of the sewers adopted in relation to the property. If any supposed sewers are identified as within the boundaries of the property, your developer should make appropriate requests to the seller`s lawyer to determine if it has been overswritten. They should also provide you with a copy of the report, including the plan showing the location of the approved sewers. There will of course be a fee for your construction contract application – but how much depends on the water company in question and sometimes the size of the sewer. Building nearby and through agreements requires proper design to satisfy your local water company and advice. For more information, check out our guide.
A construction agreement is a legal document put in place to protect the public sewer or main drain on which you want to carry out work or nearby. This gives your local water authorities the peace of mind that they can access the hose when they need to clean or repair it. If this agreement has been reached, these facts will also be clearly communicated to buyers if you ever plan to move and sell your property so that future owners are not caught if engineers from your water company suddenly arrive outside. Advising and applying to local water companies in your area is part of the process in Part H4 of the 2010 Building Code. Building inspectors may even ask to see a copy of your construction agreement before signing a certificate of completion, so you`ll need to follow established guidelines and submit an application before you start building via drains. If the self-certification criteria are not met and a construction agreement is deemed necessary, various restrictions may apply. These vary depending on the authority of the water, but can usually include the following: all work is done quickly and efficiently, because we have all the necessary knowledge, tools and equipment for each task that has been developed and perfected over the years, we have taken care of our customers` drains. All you have to do is call and arrange a time when we will come to you, then sit back and relax while we bring your pipes back in perfect condition.
A construction agreement is required if your expansion or conversion takes place near a public sewer. You must ensure that this is done, otherwise you will not be able to obtain the required certificate of completion of the building regulations. This means that your construction work is complete and it will be easier for you if you ever plan to sell your property. You will also need permission and approval from your local authority before starting work on a veranda or extension over a public sewer, as it can be difficult to make changes and cause delays. With nearly 450,000km of sewer lines in the UK running under roads and gardens, as well as under fields and other land, there`s a chance there`s a public sewer near your site. Building on top of or near a sewer pipe could mean damaging the pipe itself or the property itself, while it`s also important for the water company to be able to access and maintain its sewers over time. It is best to know where the piping is when designing the building in order to avoid delays and additional costs. Don`t worry if you don`t know how to do it – we`re here to help. There is also concern that the weight of your proposed work could cause the sewer to collapse, causing structural damage to your extension, interrupting drainage of your property and others, and also causing a flood of sewage outside your home. To repair the drain, the only option may be to dismantle the building. The distance is measured from the nearest point of the building to the center of the sewer.
If there are pipelines near where you want to build, it can affect the design of the building. In addition to reviewing the local authority`s building codes, it is important that you work with us to ensure that the piping is protected and that our access to it is not restricted. A development agreement may be needed if you plan to build something new – be it a house, extension or garage – and there is a public sewer where you want to position your new building. If all sewers on your property are under your responsibility (i.e. These are private sewers), you don`t need a construction contract, although you may still need a building permit for some extensions. Third – The risk of damage to the building as a result of a sewer failure is not excessive in terms of: you must ask us for a superstructure agreement if: There are a few things that need to be determined before applying for permission to build on an underground drain managed by a local water authority: A construction agreement on is a document, in which the owner gives assurances to the local water authority that the work to be carried out will not have a negative effect on the public sewer system below or near. It also sets the local water authority`s access rights to the sewer so that it can continue to be repaired and maintained by it. If you plan to build near or above a supposed sewer, you should contact the local water authority before starting the work to find out their requirements. Building control therefore requires both details of the proposal and a copy of the construction agreement provided by the Sewer Authority. We need to know the construction work located above or near a public sewer in order to: The approval of your water authority is a seal of approval that your work does not compromise the structural integrity of the sewer pipe and vice versa.
It also shows that they are happy that once construction is complete, they will have proper access for the maintenance of their sewer. If the required permit is not obtained, the water authority has the right to remove all structures that block their access, and it is not responsible for any damage they may cause as a result. Greg is a drainage expert and has been in business for over 30 years. He is the owner of Coastal Drains Ltd and a very, very friendly guy. View all greg Child articles For many homeowners, a property may not seem complete until an extension or veranda has been built on site, or extends to the front or back. In these cases, it may require construction via public drains or sewers to achieve the desired effect of your new interior. However, continuing your work won`t be easy, as you may need a build-over agreement before you`ll be allowed to run your project. Fees range from £1200 to £15,000, depending on the complexity and advice often offered at a rate of £160 + VAT per hour for such special work.
Each local water company will have its own website, and each should have a section dedicated to applying for permission to build an extension via public sewers. You can also submit this request by mail. Typical construction of a building foundation near a public sewer usually follows the rule of 500 mm distance from the sewer/sewer well or more. If it is less than 1000 mm from the edge of the public sewer, the foundation of the building must end at least 150 mm below the bottom of the public sewer line. If the edge of the foundation is wider than 1000 mm, as shown, a 45-degree line can be drawn to the lower edge of the foundation, which can prevent the foundation from being deeper than necessary. .