neighbour using our downpipe

Corca Baiscinn · 26-08-2020 08:36PM

Very informative thread even in OP's problem doesn't yet have a solution. We have a maddening overflow from our front gutter but at the mid- point of the two Semi D houses. not the drainpipe. The water has damaged the wooden boundary fence but the bit that drives me daft is the drip-drip noise outside our bedroom window if it's raining when I'm trying to go to sleep! We eventually realised like OP that there is no down-pipe on the neighbours side but we dont think they removed one. On walking around the estate we noticed that while most houses have their own a few houses haven't, so we're not sure if that 's the problem. The gutters have been cleaned recently.

We're waiting on a gutter-man to give us an opinion as if we ask the neighbours to put in a down-pipe and it doesn't solve the problem neither they or we will be happy. Following on the post re checking if the gutter is far enough so tiles dont overhang I went out to look and it seems ok but unlike OP I'm not brave enough to go up any ladders!

Thanks for all the info posters and OP hope you get something sorted!

Seth Brundle · 26-08-2020 09:42PM

@Corca Baiscinn - if the overflow is comjngiut in the middle, it is probably sagging there or a join needs to be replaced.
Was it always doing this or did it develop and get worse?

Corca Baiscinn · 26-08-2020 10:07PM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

@Corca Baiscinn - if the overflow is comjngiut in the middle, it is probably sagging there or a join needs to be replaced.
Was it always doing this or did it develop and get worse?

Thanks, no, it wasn't always there. It developed at some stage. Each of us replaced our guttering at different stages and maybe you're right, that the one done by original builder matched but that there's some issue re the join now.

Many thanks,

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 01:21AM

maestroamado wrote: »

On looking at roof pic it is almost certainly what i suggested.
The valley of the roof tile needs to be inside of the gutter and yours is not.
The gutter guy will sort it, it be relative simple for these guys.
I think you said you had guttering fitted recently and this may be what caused the problem, it looks kinda new...

No the guttering here is old but cleaned out recently . Not adjusted as we just thought it was blocked . It was after that the other guy said the down pipe was draining our neighbour's as well .
Sorry what do you mean the" valley of the roof tile" exactly ?

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 01:28AM

Corca Baiscinn wrote: »

Very informative thread even in OP's problem doesn't yet have a solution. We have a maddening overflow from our front gutter but at the mid- point of the two Semi D houses. not the drainpipe. The water has damaged the wooden boundary fence but the bit that drives me daft is the drip-drip noise outside our bedroom window if it's raining when I'm trying to go to sleep! We eventually realised like OP that there is no down-pipe on the neighbours side but we dont think they removed one. On walking around the estate we noticed that while most houses have their own a few houses haven't, so we're not sure if that 's the problem. The gutters have been cleaned recently.

We're waiting on a gutter-man to give us an opinion as if we ask the neighbours to put in a down-pipe and it doesn't solve the problem neither they or we will be happy. Following on the post re checking if the gutter is far enough so tiles dont overhang I went out to look and it seems ok but unlike OP I'm not brave enough to go up any ladders!

Thanks for all the info posters and OP hope you get something sorted!

That's exactly the noise , a hollow drip drip ..but it's the over shooting that is annoying me most atm .

Not very brave, was terrified I would fall taking pictures and OH was no way going up, and this was just single storey level

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 01:38AM

mickdw wrote: »

Can you give us the rough size of area that is draining to your down pipe.
If so, i will tell you what downpipe size it should have according to Building Regs

Originally the down pipe was draining an area of 3.1 m x 2.3 roughly , but that is multiplied x 2 if we have theirs as well .
Thanks.

BryanF · 27-08-2020 10:07AM

6m2 v 12m2 and the downpipe can’t handle it? That difference is inconsequential. Something else Is wrong here so..

maestroamado · 27-08-2020 10:12AM

Hi

Metric Tensor · 27-08-2020 10:14AM

There is no way those two roofs combined are catching more rainwater than that downpipe should be able to handle.

There is definitely some sort of configuration/installation issue that needs to be rectified.

maestroamado · 27-08-2020 10:14AM

I am trying to send pic of how it should be...

the_pen_turner · 27-08-2020 10:23AM

OP
a tile like that is shaped with a wavy cross section. its got high pioints and low points.
could you put a ruler or similar into a low point and allow it to stick out over the gutter. you should not be able to have the ruler down in the vally and and stick out over the gutter. any water that runs down should hit into the side of the gutter not fly out over it.

in the pic it looks like there is a window over this roof area. what type of roof is that and where does that water go. if you have a downpipe from a higher roof letting the water down one valley of the tile that there is too much water and its flowing over at that point

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 01:47PM

the_pen_turner wrote: »

OP
a tile like that is shaped with a wavy cross section. its got high pioints and low points.
could you put a ruler or similar into a low point and allow it to stick out over the gutter. you should not be able to have the ruler down in the vally and and stick out over the gutter. any water that runs down should hit into the side of the gutter not fly out over it.

in the pic it looks like there is a window over this roof area. what type of roof is that and where does that water go. if you have a downpipe from a higher roof letting the water down one valley of the tile that there is too much water and its flowing over at that point

Yes but that goes to another downpipe which is draining fine to another drain at the side of the house .

I think it must be the gutter position is too close to the roof tiles ?
The downpipe is the right size and everything?

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 02:03PM

maestroamado wrote: »

I am trying to send pic of how it should be...

Please do , and thanks

Seth Brundle · 27-08-2020 02:06PM

Goldengirl wrote: »

Yes but that goes to another downpipe which is draining fine to another drain at the side of the house .

I think it must be the gutter position is too close to the roof tiles ?
The downpipe is the right size and everything?

I believe that the size of the downpipe and gutter are fine.
It may be that the roof juts out too far for the gutter to catch heavy flows of water coming off the roof.
This may require the gutter being moved up a little or outwards a little so that it will catch the flows regardless of the amount of rain.

JimmyVik · 27-08-2020 02:10PM

We have a similar issue.
Exact same downpipe and angle as in that photo too.
I can see that water is flowing over, but not much is coming out of the bottom of the downpipe. I assume it is full of much near the top.
Gutters are clear too.
How can you remove much stuck in a downpipe?

argolis · 27-08-2020 02:22PM

if I'm reading this right, it may or may not be because of the neighbour's extension. I know it's 18 years ago, but is there any chance there's plans online if they had to apply for planning permission? You might be able to see the original gutter layout on them.

Bodhran · 27-08-2020 02:48PM

As far as I can make out, this overflowing has been happening for years but has only become an issue since the OP installed a new patio. It is highly unlikely that a gutter of the size shown in the photo would not be able to take the rainwater from 2 houses. It seems to me that the roof tiles overhang the gutter too much, with the result that in a downpour, the rainwater overshoots the gutter and falls on the patio. What I would do is get a hose and play water onto those roof tiles and see whether the water runs into the gutter or overshoot onto the patio. However, if the water overshoots your gutter, it probably overshoots your neighbour's also.

It's very difficult to give a definitive opinion without seeing more detailed photos, including the angle of the roof and the connection between your and your neighbour's property.

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 03:05PM

argolis wrote: »

if I'm reading this right, it may or may not be because of the neighbour's extension. I know it's 18 years ago, but is there any chance there's plans online if they had to apply for planning permission? You might be able to see the original gutter layout on them.

No they have not applied for planning .

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 03:07PM

Bodhran wrote: »

As far as I can make out, this overflowing has been happening for years but has only become an issue since the OP installed a new patio. It is highly unlikely that a gutter of the size shown in the photo would not be able to take the rainwater from 2 houses. It seems to me that the roof tiles overhang the gutter too much, with the result that in a downpour, the rainwater overshoots the gutter and falls on the patio. What I would do is get a hose and play water onto those roof tiles and see whether the water runs into the gutter or overshoot onto the patio. However, if the water overshoots your gutter, it probably overshoots your neighbour's also.

It's very difficult to give a definitive opinion without seeing more detailed photos, including the angle of the roof and the connection between your and your neighbour's property.

I know but am not going to put those pictures up . Thanks anyway .
I can see the water overshooting clear enough especially with the recent downpours .

JamesM · 27-08-2020 05:11PM

kevgaa wrote: »

Hi OP,

I think you need to be very careful in this situation. I appreciate you are frustrated but have you checked the set-up on neighbouring houses?

In my estate there is only one down pipe at the back of each of our houses for each pair of semi detached houses. Each house has the drain in the ground but the builders only installed one down pipe so you may be blaming your neighbour for removing something that never existed.

OP, you would want to be very sure of your facts. As above my estate of semi-detached houses built in the 1970s only has one down pipe front and back for each pair.

Goldengirl · 27-08-2020 10:22PM

JamesM wrote: »

OP, you would want to be very sure of your facts. As above my estate of semi-detached houses built in the 1970s only has one down pipe front and back for each pair.

Our estate has two down pipes front and back .
I have checked on other houses .

Edit . But think the issue may not be that now ,might just need to have gutter repositioned which would be ok all round really .

GreeBo · 28-08-2020 08:36AM

the_pen_turner wrote: »

There is definitely something wrong if a 3 inch pipe cant take the water. It's only 2 town houses.
My uncle has a 7 span shed 36foot sheeting each side and 2 4 inch pipes on each side. They have no problem taking the water. .

a 4 inch pipe has almost twice the performance as a 3 inch pipe (based on area)...

GreeBo · 28-08-2020 08:43AM

Seth Brundle wrote: »

I believe that the size of the downpipe and gutter are fine.
It may be that the roof juts out too far for the gutter to catch heavy flows of water coming off the roof.
This may require the gutter being moved up a little or outwards a little so that it will catch the flows regardless of the amount of rain.

If this was the case (and I'm not saying its not!) wouldnt the water be spilling everywhere, rather than just beside the downpipe?

@OP, are you only seeing this problem beside the downpipe?

It could also be incorrect fall (or even slight rise) beside the downpipe (perhaps the gutter has been pushed up here when the downpipe was installed) which causes the water to pool and then overflow during heavy rain.

I'd get a roofer/gutterguy out to give specific info.

the_pen_turner · 28-08-2020 01:26PM

GreeBo wrote: »

a 4 inch pipe has almost twice the performance as a 3 inch pipe (based on area)...

Actually its 7 versus 12.3 sq inches. . Of course the Pope is larger but so is the roof. At least twice in my example .
You wouldn't be using all of a downpour area anyway
Going g by the op further dimensions its massively bigger.

Goldengirl · 30-08-2020 06:43AM

Quick post to update.

Gutter guy came out yesterday and had a look.
Agreed gutter at that point was too low and close to catch extra run off .
Adjusted it up and out slightly .
Said it may lessen flow from neighbours also and if we have any further issues just give him a ring .
Hopefully sorted .

Thank you everyone , for your generosity with your experience and time replying !

maestroamado · 30-08-2020 06:30PM

I am happy this has worked out for you, the only advise is now that it is flagged as a problem monitor over coming months and if it persists you can chat with neighbors about adressing problem in a shared way.
From what i seen in pics the guttering is badly fitted and in the wrong place so now that you have started and the neighbors know there is a problem address it together as i think the guttering needs be re-alined and i also it needs be done for both houses.
I am not trying to alarm you but you need a permanent fix and make sure you do now.
The water from their roof not the problem it guttering.

GreeBo · 31-08-2020 07:44AM

the_pen_turner wrote: »

Actually its 7 versus 12.3 sq inches. . Of course the Pope is larger but so is the roof. At least twice in my example .
You wouldn't be using all of a downpour area anyway
Going g by the op further dimensions its massively bigger.

Yeah, 7 Vs over 12, almost twice.

Donald Trump · 31-08-2020 10:18AM

the_pen_turner wrote: »

There is definitely something wrong if a 3 inch pipe cant take the water. It's only 2 town houses.
My uncle has a 7 span shed 36foot sheeting each side and 2 4 inch pipes on each side. They have no problem taking the water. .

OP might live in Limerick. Have you never seen Angela's Ashes?

Goldengirl · 03-02-2022 11:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/114439108#Comment_114439108

Update. Post Covid.

The issue turned out to be combination of

a) gutter too close to roof tiles so overhang was not directing water into gutter but out of it,

b) as poster above commented flow from main roof level was being directed here also and that combined with above and

c) neighbours " redirected" drainage

was all too much for that particular point and hence the overflow.

We got our gutters readjusted so flow is split between back and side drain. Cost us a few quid but not massive, drainage better and no more mucky overrun on to the paving.

Didn't need to bring it to our neighbours in the end as it worked out ok and no permanent damage done . And happy with that as everyone has had more important stuff going on recently.

Looking back through, the advice here was bang on. Some excellent posts and I really appreciate the time given to try to figure out a resolution for us.

This forum is a great source of information for the ordinary joe soaps who are challenged in construction knowledge department.

Thanks again.

neighbour using our downpipe

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