foul sewer under house for several houses in street

[dnjc99]

Hi,

We are in the middle of buying a house in HOP (currently in dulwich) and it has come up that a public foul water sewer runs under the house, there is a drain at front and back. Is this common in HOP/dulwich. I guess the drains have to come over to the street at some point in terraced rows but it does make me a bit nervous.

dave.

[AbDabs]

If the house is Victorian this is terribly common indeed.

[dnjc99]

Yes, was built 1920s.

[computedshorty]

You will have to be more certain of the date built.

You said Yes, it was built 1920s.

The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901

If you can test the Drain at the back with a coloured stain then see if it comes out in the front Drain.

The Drain will be at the lowest part of the terrace, and will only pass in a direct line.

If you can raise the Drain cover it is possible that the pipe is only four inches wide so is not a Sewer pipe.

[Penguin68]

Certainly true of my (Edwardian, 1912) semi-detached house in Underhill Road - very common and quite normal. Sometimes drains for semis are connected (mine actually isn't) so blockage on one side can cause problems on the other. Worth checking.

[womanofdulwich]

especailly if your neighbours decided to put disposable nappies down the loo.:(

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Sorry to do a c.shorty, but Edwardian period stopped in 1910.

[mrcee]

Wouldnt worry about it, its very common