If you’re a property owner, you may well have struggled with this common question about the drain covers – who bears responsibility for them? It’s a question that typically comes up during maintenance issues or when unexpected repairs are required out of the blue – understandably because suddenly it’s a pressing matter!

At Express Drainage Surveys, we created this complete guide to explain the responsibilities and cover everything about sewer and water drain covers you could want to know. Protecting your property and ensuring you’re compliant with regulations in the UK means that it’s vital to know your maintenance obligations for drain covers.

Our guide will walk you through legal responsibilities and help you identify different drain cover types. So read on to find out what steps to take if you have problems with your drain cover, along with the cost and insurance implications that you need to know.

Understanding drain cover basics

The first thing to know about drain covers in the UK is that there are a few different types. Every residential property is likely to have one, but it’s a good idea to get familiar with which type you have:

• Cast iron drain covers: These are super durable but are heavy, making them ideal for places where there is heavy traffic.
  
• Galvanised steel drain covers: These are great for the outdoors because they are protected against corrosion.
  
• Polypropylene drain covers: A type of lightweight plastic that is most commonly found in gardens and along pedestrianised areas.
  

It’s also important to know that your drainage system is made up of several parts, all working together. You’ll have both a surface water drainage system and a sewerage system, it’s this latter part where you’re likely to find your drain cover or manhole.

The importance of maintaining drain covers

Just like any other part of your drainage system, your drain covers need regular upkeep. This can be as simple as carrying out regular visual inspections to help you spot any issues before anything serious develops. Check your drain covers for the following:

• Cracks and fractures in the cover
• Loose pieces of the cover
• Rust spots and corrosion on your cover
• Broken cover fasteners
• Wobbly or unstable covers

It’s also a good idea to keep debris, such as fallen leaves and weeds, away from your cover. This is to stop such things from getting into your system, but also ensures the cover can be opened and put securely back in place. The more care you provide for your drain cover, the longer it will last, protecting your system so that it can be counted on when you need it most – such as during heavy rainfall.

Legal responsibilities and property boundaries for drain covers

Let’s now look at the rules concerning who should take care of the drain covers on your property. A change in legislation in 2011 is key to this.

Back in October 2011, major changes were made to the Private Sewers Transfer Regulations. This used to direct the responsibility of all drain covers carrying your wastewater to the main sewers squarely at your door, even if it wasn’t on your property.

This has been cleared up with the changes. You are now only responsible for handling drains and their cover within your property boundary that serves your property alone. That means drain covers outside of your boundary line are to be handled by sewerage companies for your local area.

A CCTV drain survey could help you to map out your drainage system and establish the location of drain covers within your property boundary. At Express Drainage Surveys, you can count on us to deliver a swift service and full reports that help you better understand your responsibilities.

What about scenarios where there is a shared responsibility? 

Sometimes, there are tricky situations with local councils who maintain properties built before 1937. They are responsible for the drain covers, but may look to recover costs from the owners. Likewise, blocks of flats often share responsibility for their sewers.

When to call the professionals

Your safety is paramount, which is why you should always exercise caution when inspecting your drain covers. We recommend inspecting drain covers from a safe distance. 

Never attempt to lift or move a heavy drain cover without the proper equipment. You not only risk damaging the cover and the drain, but more importantly, you risk injury to yourself or others around you.

If your drains need the attention of the experts, it’s essential that you get in touch with our team if you encounter the following:

• Frequent drain blockages on your property
• Suspected damage to pipes in your system
• Damage to the drain cover or surrounding land

We provide professional domestic CCTV drain surveys and commercial CCTV drain surveys to help you get to the bottom of, and pinpoint the exact location of, any issues. We also offer home buyers CCTV drain surveys if you are planning to buy an older property and would like some peace of mind.

How much is a replacement drain cover?

The repair and replacement costs for drain covers can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type and extent of the damage. While a simple repair could cost somewhere in the region of £200, a full replacement of your drain cover could be more.

You could, however, find that drain cover repair and replacement costs fall under your building insurance policy. It’s a good idea to check if just accidental damage is covered or if wear and tear also falls into what your policy coverage allows for.

Contact the drain cover experts

While it might seem like a complex issue at first, all you really need to know is that a drain cover is only your responsibility if it’s on your property and serves your building. For more details on the costs involved with repairs to drain covers and drainage systems – or to enquire about CCTV drain surveys – don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team. We’re always happy to give you our advice and arrange the right service to suit your property.