Blocked Sewer

[slid_away]

Hi All
I live in a semi detached house on a quite road. A few years ago our main sewer was blocked, very bad. It was right up to the man hole cover bearing in mind from the bottom of the sewer to the cover is a least 7 foot!!
We got someone out who had to pump it out as rods wouldn't shift it. The blockage was caused by baby wipes.
My neighbour had new born twin girls at the time and seeing as no other house apart from me and my neighbour come off the sewer the baby wipes had to come from their house ( we have no children or use these wipes). I thought it was only fair that they pay half the bill. As far as I see it, they caused the problem so why should I pay?
I have checked the sewer again recently and it is beginning to get blocked again, nowhere near how it was but its starting. Guess what? Baby wipes are all in there again floating on top the water and on the brick work of the sewer.
They did pay half last time but very very reluctantly.
My question is...Do they have to pay towards the cost or is it solely my responsibility?
Sorry it was so long
Thanks in advance

[bigfoot3000]

Id put this question in the law section for a greater response.

[slid_away]

OK will do, cheers

[bigfoot3000]

Good luck and hope it works out for you.

[4getmenot]

I worked in drainage and I'd suggest you speak to them because if they carry on doing it and the drain breaks, because it is shared drainage and their sewage runs through it they would have to pay for their share and anybody else who's sewage runs through it would have to pay. If you have to get it jetted out again you could maybe ask the company to write a polite letter to your neighbour explaining this. we were always happy to.

[4getmenot]

but as you said if it was a main sewer and not your drainage then this is the responsibility of the local water authority and they should clear it and they would write to your neighbours.

[slid_away]

Thanks very much 4getmenot. That really helped and asking a drainage company to write them a letter may make them realise.
Thanks again

[slid_away]

I didn't realise that the water board may be responsible? How would I find out, just by giving them a call?

[4getmenot]

well they wouldnt want to be stuck with the huge bills when the drain cracks under pressure. and its not always split 50/50 it depends how many pipes they use that feed into the drainage. Wet wipes should never be put down drainage.

[4getmenot]

drainage from yours and neighbours always ends up in main sewer which usually runs across the front of all properties and is usually in the road. The local authority are responsible for clearing this if sewage starts backing up to your drainage. so say the last manhole to the road is blocked but no other manholes on your property are it would suggest it is more the main sewer that is blocked. but again if they find wipes all properties upstream from the blockage should be sent letters.

[slid_away]

Our house is a little different. We are on a hill and my home is set high with a 15 foot drop that runs the whole length of my home and garden. The sewer runs from my neighbour to us and then I don't know where it goes as it runs towards the 15 foot drop. We are set down low from the road outside so the sewer definitely does not go to the front of the property. The only main drain cover is in my rear garden

[4getmenot]

It sounds to me it is your drainage then and as I said if they feed into it they are responsible for a share of any damage or maintenance bills

[slid_away]

Thanks for your help. It has really cleared a few things up for me.
People like yourself are an asset to a site like this
Thanks again

[4getmenot]

well who'd have thought my drainage skills would come in handy one day :-) glad I could be of help and if you need any other info dont hesitate x

[4getmenot]

hopefully they will understand. Unfortunately if there was a big hole in someones pipe because theyd put a fence post through it, if they went through insurance and it was shared anyone upstream from that hole would have to pay too and they wernt always happy about that. You shouldnt have this problem though as it is their wet wipes that is causing it. But also if it does get worse maybe have a camera survey done as wipes maybe getting stuck on things. Do you know what material the drain is?