Pre-purchase drainage surveys are commonly recommended in pre-purchase house surveys by engineers and building surveyors. At Substruck, we offer both hydrostatic drain testing and CCTV surveys as standard. Each survey is provided with a professional drawing and a factual or interpretative report.
This survey was completed in a residential estate in Douglas, Cork City. The property was served with two systems; both constructed in UPVC. Access to the foul wastewater system was provided by one number access junction and one number inspection chamber. No access was provided to the surface water system.
Four hydrostatic tests were performed with each passing to current guidelines. The foul chamber housed an interceptor trap and although it was in good condition, the client was advised to consider replacement during the course of any future works to the driveway.
Deformation was noted at invert at one number location with 10% cross sectional area loss. Deformation is as a result of poor bedding materials and can induce blockages; the client was advised to monitor over the short to medium term and consider repairs during the course of any future works to the driveway.
As there was no surface water access, Substruck sources local authority mapping to show that a public surface water system was present in the estate. This would suggest that the surface water was discharging into same which reduces the risk of soakaway replacement due to silting up and other factors in the future.
Other concerns noted included a cross connection, a poor connection between a gully and a channel drain, eroded benching to a gully and depth of incoming water supply.