Would properties with a ground floor have a sewage backflow risk?

fady

I'm exploring the market to get an a bigger accomidation for my growning family. I came across a house for rent in Dublin 8 and it's ok, but was wondering about the kind of issues I may face with having a ground floor such as sewage, pests, etc. Any thoughts would be much appreciated, thank you!

Regards,

Fady

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122452167#Comment_122452167

You could have a sewage problem in an apartment too, it's not necessarily unique to properties on the ground floor.

Can't say it's something I've ever even given any consideration to in any of the houses I've lived in (nor something I've ever had a problem with)

One thing I was always a bit concerned about was flooding, so I made sure to buy on a bit of a hill so worst case scenario there's no water pooling anywhere near my house.

topal

Happened in an apartment block I previously rented in. All the whole ground floor apartments flooded when there was an issue with the sewer connection. Happened around the same time that the bank took control of the apartment block which was an interesting coincidence..

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058362389/would-properties-with-a-ground-floor-have-a-sewage-backflow-risk

What kind of accommodation do you currently live in? Is it an apartment above ground floor?

Any house is going to have a ground floor so they will all come with ground floor issues.

Most of them are nothing to worry about really. The main one for me going from a top floor apartment to a house was far easier access for break ins.

fady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122452141#Comment_122452141

I do live currently in an apartment that is on a higher floor, that is why I have no experience about such properties. The most nightmarish situation I'm worried of is that sewage backflowing during a flood or blockage. So was wondering if sewage systems in Dublin have some backflow prevention mechanism installed, or is it a common occurance.

Geuze

Nobody I have ever met or spoken to ever mentioned this as something to think about when buying a house.

fady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122456386#Comment_122456386

Yeah, I'm quite concerned about such "coincidences"

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122456423#Comment_122456423

Any property you ever buy or rent can have issues. It's why building and contents insurance exist.

fady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122456476#Comment_122456476

Speaking of insurance, I did some shopping around, and they wouldn't insure your property if it's designated as flood risk..

Victor

Almost all properties have a ground floor and all have a sewage backflow risk. All properties have a leak risk from their roofs, water, heating and drainage systems.

There are three main sources of flooding - rain events (pluvial), riverine (fluvial) flooding and coastal flooding.

Rain events can happen anywhere, but associated floods tend to happen on flat ground and/or in flow-lying areas, where there is too many paved areas and nowhere for the water to go. Localised flooding can happen in Dublin, due to blocked drains and / or exceptionally heavy / prolonged rain. Otherwise, are you potentially at the same level as a river or the sea (noting that levels vary)? Flooding can happen along the Liffey, Tolka and Dodder and along their tributaries. Some places like Clontarf and Sandymount can suffer coastal flooding. Have a look at https://www.floodinfo.ie/map/floodmaps/

Sewage problems tend to be very localised, e.g. people flushing sanitary wipes, etc. and blocking the sewer or sewers being damaged / undermined by construction work. Terraced housing can often have shared sewers at the back of the houses. Occasionally, after a storm, the sewer system can be overwhelmed with rain water and untreated sewage ends up in the sea.

The main pests in Ireland are rats, mice, pigeons, seagulls and some insects - all of these can be avoided if they are deprived of food sources

Victor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122457004#Comment_122457004

Not quite. They won't give you flood insurance if it's designated as high risk of flooding. They will still give you other types of insurances - fire, leak, public liability, etc. About 20 years ago, properties in Ringsend flooded for the first time in decades and insurers said they were happy to continue insuring for flood risk (albeit with a likely higher premium). Some properties off the North Strand are at risk of flooding almost every year, so their insurance is going to be more problematic.

fady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122457168#Comment_122457168

What is considered high according to the flood maps? And how roughly higher was the new premium percentage wise?