Building an extension can place unexpected stress on the drains that you have previously never had to worry about.
New Connection Points
Where the new drainage from the extension connects into your existing lateral drain, we check that the joint has been correctly formed and is watertight. This includes checking that the connection is formed flush and that there are no misalignments or gaps that could allow entry of groundwater or permit waste water to escape.
Cracked or Crushed Pipe from Groundworks
Just because a builder has taken care to avoid a drain doesn’t mean that the groundworks haven’t caused any damage. A partial crush or even a fracture can occur within the walls of a pipe that is buried beneath concrete and remain undetected until a blockage or even collapse occurs.
Drain Gradient After Foundation Work
Drains rely on flow to operate effectively, for waste to be carried away from the property. In many instances the new foundations from an extension can cause settlement to occur to an existing drain and significantly alter the fall. Our cameras can clearly show if a section of pipe has sagged or even fallen back on itself.
Displaced Joints Where Old Meets New
The connection point between new extension drainage pipes and old clay or plastic pipes can also cause problems. As the old pipes settle after construction the joints can open up slightly allowing roots to penetrate the pipe or for silt to block the pipe over time.
Concrete or Grout Inside the Pipe
Even the smallest amounts of slurry or other wash-out waste allowed to enter your drainage pipes during the construction of your home extension can lead to problems with drainage when they solidify. A CCTV drain survey after your build is completed is often the most cost effective way to discover a concrete plug has been left in your drain. If you are looking for CCTV Drain Survey Wolverhampton, see wilkinson-env.co.uk/drainage-services-cctv-surveys-midlands/cctv-drain-surveys/wolverhampton/.
Chamber and Gully Seating
The inspection chamber and gully for the extension have also been seated and appropriately sealed. Insufficient bedding to the seat of the chamber can result in the chamber moving under foot traffic and in time breaking the seal allowing soil to enter the drainage system.
Note that building regulations for home extensions include requirements for drainage of extensions. Having such a survey carried out as part of the overall post-build inspection can help with sign-off of the drainage should the building control inspector require evidence of satisfactory drainage.
It’s often easier to locate and repair problems with a CCTV Drain Survey in Wolverhampton before the site has settled too much.
