Services
Drainage
Getting foul water and rainwater away from the house, to where the rules say it should go.
Free no obligation quotes.
What it covers
Drainage work for your house and for the building work around it, laid to the rules below and checked by building control.
Approval
New drainage is covered by Part H of the Building Regulations, so it goes through building control.
Connecting to the public sewer
You have a right to connect, but the sewerage company must get 21 days' notice. Some streets have separate foul and surface water sewers, others one combined sewer. Where they are separate, foul water goes to the foul sewer and surface water to the surface water sewer. The water company can tell you which your street has.
Rainwater
The rules set an order. A soakaway first. If that is not practical, a watercourse. A sewer last. A soakaway should not be within 5 metres of a building or a road, and a percolation test shows if the ground will drain.
Building over a sewer
An extension over or within 3 metres of a drain or sewer on the sewer records has to keep access to manholes and leave a route to replace the pipe. For a public sewer, talk to the water company first.
What you need to know
- Building regulations
- New drainage comes under Part H.
- Building control
- Checks new drains, often as part of an extension.
- Water company
- 21 days' notice before a new connection to the public sewer.
- Rainwater
- A soakaway first, then a watercourse, then a sewer.
- Septic tanks
- Must meet the Environment Agency's general binding rules.
These are the general rules, from GOV.UK and the Planning Portal. Every house is different, so check your own job with the council or building control.
How a job runs
Step 1: Enquire
Ring, or send a few lines about the drains and your postcode.
Step 2: Visit and quote
We come out, find the existing drains, and give you a free no obligation quote.
Step 3: Build
Then the dig, the new run and the inspections.
Free no obligation quotes.
Questions about drainage
Do new drains need building regulations approval?
Yes. New drainage falls under Part H of the Building Regulations and is checked by building control, often as part of an extension. Government guidance also lists installing a bathroom that involves plumbing as work that may need approval. A registered competent person can self-certify some work instead.
Can I connect to the public sewer?
In most cases, yes. The owner or occupier has a right to connect, but the sewerage company must get 21 days' notice, and the connection must not harm the sewer. Some streets have separate foul and surface water sewers, others one combined sewer. Where they are separate, foul water goes to the foul sewer and surface water to the surface water sewer. The water company can tell you which your street has.
Where should rainwater from my extension go?
The rules set an order: a soakaway or other infiltration first, then a watercourse, and a sewer only if neither is practical. A soakaway should not be within 5 metres of a building or a road, and a percolation test tells you whether the ground will take the water.
I have a septic tank. What rules apply?
A septic tank or small sewage treatment plant must meet the Environment Agency's general binding rules. If it does, you do not need a permit. If it does not, you may need to change it or apply for a permit. A new cesspool needs planning permission and building regulations approval.
Can I build an extension over a manhole?
Sometimes. Work over or within 3 metres of a drain or sewer on the sewer records has to protect the pipe, keep reasonable access to manholes and leave a route to replace it. For a public sewer, talk to the water company first. Ask us for a free no obligation quote and we will look at the layout.
Get a quote
Ask for a free no obligation quote
Ring, or send a few lines about the job and your postcode.