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Building a side extension over drain pipes

  • 14-02-2013 3:10pm
    #1
    mack456
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8 ✭


    Hi,

    I know there have been some similar posts on here but haven't anything quite similar enough to be sure, so I hope you can help. The situation is as follows:

    We live in a 3 bed semi detached with a wide side entrance and we were planning to use this space, about 8 foot, to build an extension. This extension would incorporate a study, toilet and utility room. It would have required planning permission.

    Unfortunately, there are two pipes running along this side entrance. One is for land drainage and the other is for waste. There is an inspection chamber at our front gate for each pipe and the same for each pipe in our back garden. The planned extension would not cover the manholes but would cover the pipes.

    I was advised by my architect to check out with the council if they could be built over and was told that the pipes are private and could be built over, but if something were to require the pipes be accessed they would have to knock down the extension to get to them and we would have to bear the financial cost of that. A contractor I spoke to said as it is a straight pipe it shouldn't require direct access for a blockage but I think there must be other reasons why they might need to dig up the pipes someday. Feedback on that would be welcome. They are for our section of the road I think. Also, the drains department suggested that if planning was applied for the council would probably suggest the pipes be moved to the side of the extension but that would put them in our neighbors garden so wouldn't work.

    Just wondering what the options are with this, the risks or building over them and any other comments are welcome. Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Poor Uncle Tom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,547 ✭✭✭✭Poor Uncle Tom


    If you are living in a 3 bed semi and you want to build to the side of the house, how wise is it to block your access to the rear completely? Why not design in a walk-thru and put the pipes under this area making it much easier to access if necessary.


  • #3
    sinnerboy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,433 ✭✭✭sinnerboy


    It is not unusual for pipes to be built over in our tight urban spaces. Or for such houses not to have a rear access. Just make sure you have a structural engineer to specify , inspect and sign off the details on site. Don't leave it up to any builder no matter how much he seems "to know what he's doing"


  • #4
    A fella called fish
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 188 ✭✭A fella called fish


    No doubt your civil/structural engineer will specify an AJ each side of the new extension to facilitate rodding in the event of a blockage.

    I generally find that's somewhat easier than demolishing the extension every time a pipe becomes blocked as you suggest... Now where's my sledgehammer, i want to crack some nuts...


  • #5
    OBrother
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27 ✭OBrother


    It is common to build over sewer lines, see part H of the Technical Guidance Documents. It is possible, as you say, that these are what are known as common drains, serving not just your house but some other, As stated AJ's or manholes either side are to be recommended.

    http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/


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