Posted this in gutters- maybe wrong place - no replies?

[Paul-man]

I live in a mid-terrace property. Between us and our neighbours is a plastic downpipe taking the rainwater off of our roofs. It appears to come down on the border of our houses, before diverting into the neighbours (and straight back down) on their side of a picket fence.

It then disappears into a cast iron flange at ground level in their garden, passes underground through their garden, under a wall and under the pavement. There is a gap between the kerbstones where the water (should) flow onto the road and into the storm drains.

What is the name for the piece of pipe between the bottom of the downpipe and the road? Presumably as it takes water from both of our roofs, there is a joint responsibility to maintain it? It appears to be blocked and water is building up inside the downpipe. I've removed the downpipe, removed 8 inches of solid soil (with small roots in) but cannot get a rod through from either end.

Who should I call?

 

[wotan]

Share the cost with your neighbour, and call in a water jetting company, let them attack the blockage from the road end.
They have all sorts of nozzles, and should be able to sort it out, for you.

Wotan

 

[Paul-man]

thanks. given that one of the blockages appears to be where it goes under a wall (from one end) and right at the pipe mouth at the other end AND there is a hedge over the line of the pipe, do you think we'll have much luck!?

 

[kirkgas]

it is likely the pipe is broken and there are roots getting in, it might be able to be cleared buit if broken will block up again, might be a better option to cost a dig up and renewal, may cost more but is guaranteed to work, contact buildings insurance to see if you or next door neighbour can claim, if so half the policy excess between you, job done.