Foudations over storm drains

[glebelander]

I am planning to build a conservatory. Can i build the foudations over a storm drain pipe which would run along the centre of the foundation for approximately 2 metres.

[Golden Shred]

No. You must divert it to be outside the conservatory.

[Sphinx_Svens]

You would have to consult you local Building Regs ... it can / has been done, with loads of reinforcing ... but it'd be easier and cheaper to move it

[Catso]

By 'storm drain' you mean a drain taking rainwater? EG from your downpipes?

If so: If the drain is solely your drain IE no other house connects into it, I believe the answer is 'yes'. If it's shared, the answer is probably 'no' but it does depend upon the actual status/usage of the drain. Ask your local building regs people for advice.

No: depends on the status of the drain; ask your local water company if it's theirs. If not, you may be able to build over it, ask your local building regs people for advice.

If you do build over it, remember it will be your problem if something goes wrong, and you may have to dig up your conservatory.

[alvin100]

If its a main public drain, then you need to consult the building department, I had this problem when building a garage, Instead of conventional footings I had to build off a raft, which is basically a big slab of concrete with very heavy steel reinforcement. I had to have calculations done which were rediculously over the top, Im not exagerating when I say that I had to put a grade of steel in the ground that is normally used for office blocks and I had to put forty tons of concrete into the two foot thick slab, It added �2000 to my build cost.

The good news for you is that a conservatory is pretty light, especially if you choose a design with glass to floor level instead of brickwork, so you should be ok with a much lighter slab, check with your council.