Sewer Manhole

[T5 TDI]

I have a problem with constant blockages between two manholes which are 11 metres apart. I've been chucking a bucket or two of water down it every couple of months to keep it clear but if I forget to do this it blocks. I've had a drain insurance for 20 years and never claimed so got them in. He jetted it out and ran the camera along it and to my surprise declared it fine. It did look ok even to me on his camera screen. This particular run doesn't look like it slopes enough to me but I am stuck with that. He says that the channels in the manhole are rough (and my responsibility!) So my questions are can I use something like this to smooth it out? And is it worth painting the inside of the manhole as it was when I moved here 20 years ago?

In the pic it's only the pipe on the right that needs sorting because the one to the extreme left is rainwater only and the middle one is an old toilet long since removed. Thanks for any help offered.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Is there standing water in there?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Flush twice!

Andy

 

[T5 TDI]

I'd just lobbed another bucket of water in it before I took the pic but there is always a little water in the channel part. Does anyone think lining the channel with the upvc would help as the drain guy suggests?

 

[Murdochcat]

public or private drain?

 

[T5 TDI]

That section is all ours. It runs out of the manhole a further 8 meters down the garden into a deep manhole (ours I presume) just inside the boundary where next doors turds also arrive! Then goes out to the un-adopted lane (part of the SW Coast Path) outside our back gate. It only ever seems to be the section which runs across the back of the house which causes the problems. I'm sure if it had a steeper slope on it, it would be better but I don't want to get involved with major ground work. I'm really just hoping to give it the best chance I can. Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

[SpecialK]

Do you have water saving toilet flushes or ones you can adjust the flush amount on? Make sure they are all turned to the max.

Where does it block? In the manhole or in the pipe? If it is in the pipe then messing with the manhole is unlikely to help?

 

[dilalio]

If its a combined sewer that also takes rainwater (as you indicated), does it connect to a gutter for your roof?

If it takes water from a roof, which they usually do, check that crap from the roof isn't getting down there and blocking the pipe.
Moss and such.
Get a downpipe wire ball and maybe gutter guards to stop this.

Similar was happening at my sisters.
All crap from bungalow roof was blocking sewer.

 

[T5 TDI]

I think it blocks at the end of the pipe just as it joins the manhole in the pic then it backs up. Not much rainwater comes down that pipe, most of the rainwater comes from the other side of the house directly into that manhole so it is after the dodgy pipe.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I am thinking it is a combination of a few things. We do have a water saving device on one toilet and also one downpipe into 2 water butts and the overflow going to a flower bed! We have a bone dry sandy coastal garden and (it's said) the the most expensive water in England due to the length of coastline and the number of tourists. So we are a bit frugal with our water! I need to make sure a bit more rainwater is there to flush them. We do pay an extra charge on our bill for the privilege of having old drains that still allow this.

 

[HERTS P&D]

We do have a water saving device on one toilet, we are a bit frugal with our water!

This is why you are having prblems:

Remove the water saving device, flush twice after Number 2's, and always flush after Number 1's.

Andy

 

[dilalio]

always flush after Number 1's.

Go on Andy... Post up that photo of what happens if you dont!

 

[HERTS P&D]

I would post up pictures if I could work out how to do it!

Andy

 

[dilalio]

 

[HERTS P&D]

This happened when the customer didn't flush their toilet enough.

 

[dilalio]

You'll have to put a trigger alert on this post now mate!

I'm at a good one right now... Will post a photo when I get some fresh air and can make it back up there without being overcome!