At Drain Works, we understand the importance of knowing who is responsible for unblocking your drain. It's crucial to determine whether the blockage falls within the boundaries of your property or whether it is linked to a shared main drainage system servicing other properties, such as your neighbours.
To identify drain responsibility, the diagram below can help. If your drains are "shared," contact your local water authority as they are responsible.
The government made changes to the legislation on shared drains in October 2011 transferring responsibility to local water authorities from the homeowner for pipes outside the boundaries of your home or if your neighbours are also using the same pipe running though your boundaries. You are only responsible for your own pipes within the boundaries of your property. Call your local water authority (www.thameswater.co.uk, www.southwestwater.co.uk, www.wessexwater.co.uk or www.southernwater.co.uk) by providing your address and post code the water authority can check on their drain network map to advise whether your blocked drain is a shared drain and if so they will attend free of charge.
If you live on an unadopted road and have a private sewer, the homeowner is responsible for the cost of maintaining and repairing it. Even If the sewer serves a number of properties, all the owners are jointly responsible for any costs involved with unblocking or maintaining your drains. Further information There is more detailed information about water and sewerage on the OFWAT website www.ofwat.gov.uk
If you think you may have one of these problems then give us a call today on 0238 155 0219 for some Free Advice or to arrange a visit from our Trained drain unblocking engineers with No Callout Charge
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