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Structural Engineer
Existing Drainage Problems
For an existing problem relating to any or
all of the following:
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol would
undertake a drainage study which may include
capacity checks, calculations connection
and diversion approvals, soakaway design.
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol will
also carryout test where necessary. However
it is important to established your sewer
and drainage responsibility.
OperationTest
Often referred to as a 'simple drains
test' (SDT). This is often carried out
at the same time as a Homebuyer Survey or
Building Survey. It simply involves lifting
manhole covers and running water through
the drain runs from the taps within the property,
whilst observing the flows throughout the
drainage system. This allows us to check
if the drains are running free, or if there
are blockages, and will also indicate any
severe leakage.
WaterTest
Leaking drains very often go undetected for
years or decades, but if close to the building,
the ground beneath the foundations can be
weakened by the water, resulting in subsidence.
It is for this reason that Surveyors may
request a drainage report when they have
seen cracking or other indications of foundation
movement.
In these cases, a water, or hydraulic, test
is required. This involves plugging the drain
at the lower end, filling it up with water,
then waiting to see if it holds the water
or if it leaks away. When the plug is removed,
the water should flow away rapidly to indicate
that the drain is not blocked. There may
be several sections of the drainage, each
of which will require testing separately.
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CCTVSurvey
TV surveys involve passing a small camera
through the drains. The operator watches
the picture as the camera progresses, so
that any features can be closely examined
and identified, and a video recording is
usually made for later reference.
A CCTV survey will not determine that a drain
is watertight, but it will show and locate
areas of damage or blockage. A CCTV survey
can also be useful in determining the layout
of a drainage system and identifying unknown
/ abandoned branches.
Drains can be tested and surveyed quite easily
if there are adequate inspection chambers,
and if they are not blocked. However, especially
with older properties, there may be few or
no inspection chambers. In these cases, the
only way to test and survey the drains is
to dig holes and break into the pipes - this
gets expensive!
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol
often find drains are blocked, or are backing
up from overfull cess pits or septic tanks.
In these circumstances, there is little which
can be done until the system has been unblocked,
cleared or emptied - again an expensive operation.
A drainage report would normally include
a plan showing the layout of the drains,
along with details of pipe diameters, depths
below ground, results of water tests, and
findings of CCTV surveys.
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol engineers
will provide, an estimate for the cost to
visit a property, inspect the drains and
where relevant produce a report. In each
case the price assumes that there is adequate
access to the drains (usually via manhole
covers). Should excavation be required to
gain access, we will usually have an additional
price for this.
Some reports will identify the need for maintenance
or repair work. In each case an indication
of possible cost will usually be noted in
the report.
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Drains take foul sewage (waste from toilets,
bathrooms and kitchens) and surface water
(rain water) away from your property. Sewers
are the pipes that take sewage and surface
water away from more than one property.
Sewers are either publicly or privately maintained.
If they are publicly maintained, the local
water and sewerage company is responsible
for repairs and maintenance.
Private sewers and drains
A private sewer is the joint responsibility
of the properties that drain into it. This
responsibility continues up to the point
where the private sewer (including the connection)
joins a public sewer. This means that often,
people are responsible for the repair and
maintenance of drainage pipes that are beneath
land owned by somebody else, such as a neighbour.
Responsibility for private sewer defects
and blockages lies with the owners/occupiers
of properties draining into the sewer upstream
of any defect or blockage. Your local council
may be able to help you find out which sewers
are privately owned.
If you are partially or solely responsible
for maintaining drains and sewers you may
be covered by your housing insurance for
any damage.
If your drain becomes blocked you usually
know because your waste stops going away
when you flush the toilet; man-holes and
gullies may also start to overflow. If
there is a nuisance smell or blockage contact
your local authority’s environmental
health department which has powers to investigate
the matter, carry out repairs and recover
costs from the home owner. |
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  AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol will
Design your drainage to meet your requirement
Drainage Design and Report
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol is
committed to ensuring that the right system
is designed, detailed, delivered and installed.
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol do
not underestimate the importance of the design
of a individual project requirements
to give total peace of mind.
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol offer
design support from conception to completion
with experienced personnel and proven procedures.
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol engineers
will Work to ensure the client’s expectation
are met, and available to support and
offer you technical advice on site or in
your office.
Drainage Design - the regulations and requirements in relation
to surface water drainage have changed and
are still changing beyond all recognition
due to new legislation.
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol are
able to provide a design service utilising
'Microdrainage', the industry standard
software, to ensure the implementation of
Sustainable Drainage (SUDs) meets legislation.
AlphaTotas Structural Engineer Bristol will
develop the most cost effective solutions,
balancing storage and discharge of the surface
water within the constraints of the Environment
Agency.
This may include techniques such as green
roofs and rainwater harvesting. AlphaTotas
Structural Engineer Bristol would produce
detailed engineering design drawings and
specifications for the development infrastructure,
including highway, surface water (storm)
and foul water drainage.
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