Downpipe to Nowhere?

[Jo Gan]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post and just wondering if anyone could help me with a small matter.

We bought the house a few years back but have only just realised that the downpipe from the gutter seems to lead to the front 'yard' which results in a mini flood everytime it rains. I may not be describing it very well but the attached picture should make it quite clear.

Looking at our neighbour's house it seems that the downpipe should run into a drain of some sort. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be the case for us.

Does anyone know what can be done to redirect the water? I would really like my front yard to not be a swimming pool everytime it rains if it's possible.

Thank you.

Jo

*Downpipe in the top left*

 

[^woody^]

No sign of a drain being covered up ?

If its a terrace, can the downpipe be removed to cause the water to flow to another downpipe in the run?

That much water would be (and should be) going to a drain or a soakaway away from the house

 

[Jo Gan]

Thanks for the reply.

Definitely no sign of it being covered up unless someone concreted it over or something. I think there shouldn't be a problem removing the downpipe but not sure if there will then be too much water and overflow the gutter.

 

[^woody^]

You'll need to check falls of the gutter before removing a downpipe.

What about a section of downpipe or gutter along the ground near the fence to take the water behind that shed and down the garden somewhere?

 

[Jo Gan]

Yeah, will definitely have to check the fall. Might have to lift the gutter up a little bit as well to redirect water away if I'm going that route.

Can't really take the water elsewhere. The downpipe leads into my front yard. Behind the shed is a brick wall and behind that is a pedestrian path. So the water really has nowhere to go other than form a pool.

 

[Ian H]

Sounds like you will have to have a gully fitted and directed into a nearby drain.

Has it always flooded like that?

 

[Jo Gan]

Sounds like you will have to have a gully fitted and directed into a nearby drain.

Has it always flooded like that?

I think it has but hasn't really occurred to me only until the last few month as I was wondering why is the insides of the shed wet. Do you know who will be able to fit a gully? A roofer or builder?

 

[Nige F]

A builder - but you'll need to find a nearby surface water drain first

 

[^woody^]

Sounds like you will have to have a gully fitted and directed into a nearby drain.

A gully and several meters of drain, excavation, connection, fees and permission from the water company and building control, do you mean?

Anyway, you can't connect RW to drainage system. It's soakaways nowadays.

 

[datarebal]

Can you actually see the end of the downpipe? If not have a careful dig around the base of it and see whats been done.
There still maybe a make shift gulley or even an elbow under the surface that might need a clear out.
If not then a soak away needs to be dug. Watch out how you dig. looks like a meter box is near by..

 

[Ian H]

A gully and several meters of drain, excavation, connection, fees and permission from the water company and building control, do you mean?

No, just the gully, pipework and a junction.

Get a drain guy but not Dyno Rod and definitely not Building Happy Homes.

Nearby manholes will give a clue. If they are in pairs then you will likely have separate systems for surface water and foul. If they are singles it's likely a combined system.

Either way, I would just aim for the nearest one.

 

[^woody^]

No, just the gully, pipework and a junction.

Get a drain guy but not Dyno Rod and definitely not Building Happy Homes.

Nearby manholes will give a clue. If they are in pairs then you will likely have separate systems for surface water and foul. If they are singles it's likely a combined system.

Either way, I would just aim for the nearest one.

Its a new connection, so contolled work. And if the OP is mid-run, then wont own the pipe being connected to, so needs permission.

But, as mentioned new RW connections are not permitted unless there are no other options.

 

[Ian H]

I honestly wouldn't bother with asking for permission. Just get it done by someone who will use the right fittings, so not this guy:

Is this a manhole? That will do.

 

[^woody^]

honestly wouldn't bother with asking for permission. Just get it done by someone who will use the right fittings

But how does the OP know that the "someone" will use the right fittings? That's the whole point of getting permission and an inspection.

 

[Ian H]

I would have expect someone 'proper' to give them a written report with before and after cctv and still photos.