Drains and Sewers - Frequently Asked Questions
Drain and sewer problems are a bit of a minefield. Here are some of the more frequent questions we get asked:
My drain is blocked. What should I do?
If you get a blockage in your private drain, it may be cheaper and more convenient to unblock it yourself. Take extra care not to put your health at risk - wear strong waterproof gloves, old clothes and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards to reduce any risk.
A set of drain rods can clear most blockages; these can be hired or bought at a reasonable cost from many DIY stores.
If the blockage cannot be cleared with rods or will be a risk to your health, then a sewer-cleansing specialist will be needed - check out Derbyshire County Council's Trusted Trader Register for details of reliable contractors.
My private sewer is blocked. What should I do?
All properties that are 'upstream' of the blockage are jointly responsible for the problem, so you may need to discuss with them what needs to be done although many blockages can be easily cleared (as above).
If you do decide to call in a specialist, you will be charged for any work or investigations carried out, so it's a good idea to agree this with the other residents and get the money beforehand. If you can't come to an agreement or need advice contact us, (details below).
The public sewer is blocked, what should I do?
Contact your local water sewerage company, you will find details on your water bill. In most of the district Yorkshire Water provide the sewerage service, but to the south of Clay Cross it is the responsibility of Severn Trent Water.
Who is responsible for the grates/gullies in the road?
Gullies collect surface water from the roads and are the grates that can be found in the gutter of a road near the kerb. Derbyshire County Council are responsible for clearing the gullies, if you have a query contact Call Derbyshire (details below).
What can the Council do about problems with private sewers?
We will attempt to find out where the blockage is and then identify which properties are upstream of the blockage (that is, who is running into the blocked sewer and so jointly responsible for the problem). We will then serve notices on all the occupiers upstream of the blockage, giving them 48 hours in which to clear it (this is the minimum time allowed in the regulations). If the sewer is still blocked after the 48 hours have passed we will employ a contractor to sort out the problem and recover the costs from the occupiers involved.
If we find that a private sewer is defective, we may serve a notice requiring that the sewer is repaired or replaced.
Please Note: the Council does not provide a drain clearing service for private properties.
What about cesspools and septic tanks?
Cesspools and septic tanks are the responsibility of the homeowner. If you rent your home it may be the landlord or the tenant that is responsible, check your tenancy agreement to find out.
We don't provide an emptying service, is is up to whoever is responsible to employ a specialist contractor to carry out the service. However, as with blocked private sewers, if there is a problem that is causing a nuisance (such as a cesspool overflowing) we can serve a notice on those responsible instructing them to carry out the work. If the problem still isn't sorted we can employ a contractor and recharge the costs to whoever should have sorted it in the first place.
How can I avoid blockages?
The easy answer is, don't put anything down the toilet apart from human waste and toilet paper - nappies, wipes, and healthcare items can all to cause blockages - if you can bag it, bin it! And be careful not to pour cooking grease and food waste down your sink, fats can quickly build up and block not only your sink but the sewer system below. Lots of useful information can be found on Yorkshire Water's 'Bin It' pages.
I live in a Council House, who is responsible for my drains and sewers?
Rykneld Homes are responsible for the drains and sewers in Council homes, see more in the Repairs and Safety guide.
I bought my Council home, who is responsible for my drains and sewers?
Responsibility is the same as for other owner-occupied properties, however the responsibility for private sewers may be shared with other owner occupiers and the council, depending on whether your neighbouring properties have also been purchased or are still owned by us.
I rent my home from a private landlord/housing association, who is responsible for my drains and sewers?
The landlord/owner of the property is usually responsible for the private drains and private sewers that serve it, however your tenancy agreement should show if any problems (such as blockages) are also your responsibility.
How can I find out if my property is connected to a public/private sewer?
Contact your local water sewerage company, Yorkshire Water or Severn Trent Water - you can find the details on your water bill.
Will my drain or sewer be damaged by nearby trees?
Tree roots don't usually damage drains and sewers that are in good condition, but can make their way into existing cracks and poor joints. If possible, it's a good idea to keep trees, shrubs and hedges away from underground pipework, just in case.
Of course, these are just a few of the more common questions, if you have a query that is not covered here please contact us (details below).
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