Party Wall Drain Surveys

With any new work that you plan to carry out on your property, you need to consider the impact on its drainage system. Since many drains are used by multiple properties, a party wall drain survey might be required if your building project in the UK is to go smoothly.

Here at Express Drainage Surveys, we’re leading cctv drain survey experts, lending you our knowledge and skills to conduct a party wall drain survey on your property for drains that you may share with a neighbour or neighbours.

Whether you’re a homeowner planning to extend your property or you are a business owner wanting to expand your commercial site, contact our team to arrange for a member of our team to visit you.

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What is a party wall drain survey?

Since a party wall is a shared wall between two buildings, usually neighbours, it makes sense that your drains can also be shared. This is common for semi-detached and terraced houses. There is a potential for any building work to negatively impact the adjoining property or properties. Don’t forget, you could have two party walls if you have neighbours on either side of your home.

But what is a party wall drain survey?

We use the latest camera technology, feeding CCTV cameras through your drainage system to show the condition of your drains. It also reveals how any planned work could impact them in the future.

You’ll need to serve notice to your neighbours before any works take place (we recommend giving at least two months’ notice) and once they have consented, we can carry out our work. We also carry our post conditional drain surveys which can be submitted to your local water authority.

Why do you need a party wall drain survey?

A drainage survey is required as part of the Party Wall Act 1996 in England and Wales. It protects you and your neighbours and keep your works compliant with local water authorities.

We use specialist CCTV drainage equipment to verify the status of the drains before and after building work takes place to prove they haven’t been damaged or compromised. If you were to build an extension over drains that are already damaged, the work could shift the ground and create either blockages or reduced capacity for the shared drains.

Any work that requires excavation within three metres of a party wall is likely to trigger the need for a party wall drain survey to ensure the drainage system is not impacted.

What are the benefits of a party wall drain survey?

Your building project remains legally compliant
You get early detection of issues or damage that could impact work
You maintain a good relationship with your neighbours
You won’t waste money on building, only to find the shared drains need attention
You may be able to negotiate sharing costs with neighbours for mutually beneficial work

FAQs

Do I really need a party wall drain survey?

Yes, the Party Wall Act 1996 applies to England and Wales. This sets out a strict set of rules surrounding any work where there is a shared wall, either for the building of the property itself or a shared garden wall. Without this survey, you could delay your project or, worse still, you could be hit with fines and legal disputes.

Are party wall drain surveys expensive?

As with any drain survey, a party wall drain survey can vary in cost due to a few factors. The size of the property, access to the drains, the scope of work required and how soon you need the survey can all impact the price. You could also find that how much a party wall drain survey costs can be influenced by the current condition of the drains, with more extensive issues requiring more time to navigate. Need a transparent price for a party wall drain survey in the UK? Contact us today.

Who is responsible for arranging a party wall drain survey?

The individual property owner who plans any works in relation to a party wall will be responsible for arranging the drainage survey. In order to avoid issues and disputes further down the line, you should arrange a party wall drain survey early so that you can serve your neighbours the required notice with the proposal of the survey. This should help to preserve relations and will ensure you meet with legal compliance.

Do I legally need to tell my neighbour about a party wall drain survey?

Yes, work should not be carried out without a party wall drain survey. Your notice will then need your neighbour’s consent, especially where access to their property may be required to conduct the survey. This will help to make your project run more smoothly and there is the potential to negotiate shared costs if any work would also benefit your neighbour.