Cutting a channel in party wall

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The bco has been for a site visit today and he highlighted a potential problem with running a soil pipe in a channel 120mm deep cut in the party wall. In his email the bco refers to a cavity wall but in fact the cannel is cut in the solid wall. He writes

the proposals of having the soil pipe inside the cavity wall needs to be reviewed. The issue that needs justiification is the sound issue. As a party wall it cannot be adversely affected by the works and removing one skin could make it worse.

The bco asks for the matter to be reviewed by an architect. From your experience what is a reasonable sound insulation solution that will ensure that my neiboir boesnt hear me flush the toilet? Thanks
 
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channel 120mm deep cut in the party wall.

I'm a bit surprised he didn't mention structural stability as well. How thick is this wall?

How near the corner of the room will the soil pipe be?

Is this an extension, or an existing party wall?

Is that a brick pier I can see under the steelwork? What size?
 
I'm a bit surprised he didn't mention structural stability as well. How thick is this wall?
The bco did mention stability and I'll run it by my structural engineer. I think the wall is 240mm thick.
How near the corner of the room will the soil pipe be?
2.1m

is this an extension, or an existing party wall?

Is that a brick pier I can see under the steelwork? What size?
The channel is in the end of an existing party wall. You can see the new extension cavity wall to the left of the channel. The packed the bit of party wall under the steel to make it flush with the extention cavity wall.[/quote]
 

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That is a naff way of doing it, I would have sympathy for your neighbours every time you flush the toilet.
 
Indeed. This why I posted here. Can you suggest how to effectively sound insulate the waistoipe?
 
You can't effectively insulate it to comply with Part E.
The minimum standard required for Part E sound insulation between two dwellings is the equivalent of a 225 brick wall, plastered both sides.
One-half brick thickness will severly compromise sound insulation and having the pipe actually buried in the wall will make it far worse.
Your architect should have come up with a proper solution to this, even if it means putting it wholly on your side and boxing it in.
 
You can't effectively insulate it to comply with Part E.
The minimum standard required for Part E sound insulation between two dwellings is the equivalent of a 225 brick wall, plastered both sides.
One-half brick thickness will severly compromise sound insulation and having the pipe actually buried in the wall will make it far worse.
Your architect should have come up with a proper solution to this, even if it means putting it wholly on your side and boxing it in.
I didn't realise this is a problem until now. I was trying to avoid having the soilpipe boxed in becuase it runs down the wall where the kitchen will be installed. Is there a smart material that is a good insulator which could act as an effective sound batlrrier?
 
Not come across one that would solve that particular problem, though hopefully others more knowledgeable on Part E will chime in.........?
 
yes, a thick brick wall with no cracks or gaps in it.

You need to rebuild the wall with bricks and mortar (not filler or plaster) and space the pipe off the wall. You could wrap it in dense mineral-wool batts before boxing it in with plasterboard, to muffle airbourne noise.

If it is going to be a kitchen you could disguise the enclosure as a full-height cabinet.

Or find a better route for the soilpipe.
 
Not come across one that would solve that particular problem, though hopefully others more knowledgeable on Part E will chime in.........?
Part E applies to properties to 'properties that have been converted (material change of use) and new builds to meet certain acoustic requirements'. Does it apply to me as my property has been extended
 
Altering an existing element in a way which affects any compliance with Building Regulations is a 'material alteration'.

As such, it then needs a Building Regulations approval, which would not be given for your alteration.

Say, for instance, that your party wall before the alteration did not meet current sound insulation regs. There's nothing the council could or would do about that.
But once you make it worse, they can insist that remedial work is done to make it no worse than it was before.
 
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That arrangement is rubbish, if you have a second conventional loo, then you should have used a macerator, would have been cheaper too.
Frank
 
That arrangement is rubbish, if you have a second conventional loo, then you should have used a macerator, would have been cheaper too.
Frank
I fully appreciate that. I am looking for a solution though! Unfortunately I don't have a second loo
 
I'm guessing if you are prepared to weaken a steel bearing wall for aesthetics
then the replies are falling on deaf ears. I have seen a lot of *******s in my time but I
have not seen that one before.
 

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