Sewers

[l_h_kings]

We noted a drainage problem at our house on Sunday. When the toilet was flushed sewerage spewed from the drain and into our garden. The problem reappeared this morning and we called Dynorod and paid in advance a flat rate (approx �80) to get the blockage cleared.

After looking at it they said the problem was not on our property and appeared to be from a neighbouring property. We called the local council who are now investigating.

Are we entitled to our �80 back from Dynorod as the blockage was not cleared? (although he cleared the drains on our property)

Or can I claim the �80 on my home insurance? (would it be worth it; or cause my premium to rise)

If the blockage is discovered on a neighbouring property or is a council drain, or caused at a council owned property am I entitled to my back �80 from them?

Thank you.

[Buenchico]

It's unlikely that you're entitled to any money back from Dynarod. Their terms of business probably exclude this. (�80 sounds like a basic call-out fee. OK, they might not call it that but it's still the minimum fee that you'll pay if they do any work at all for you).

If you can establish that the blockage occurred on someone else's property you might be entitled to claim something back but it wouldn't be the full �80 because you had some work done on your property anyway. Additionally, there could be clauses in the deeds of your house which mean that you might have to pay a share of the maintenance of the drains into which your drain feeds. Remember also, that even if you can prove that somebody else ought to refund part of your outlay, you might still have a fight to get your money.

(Further to the above, about the blockage occurring on someone else's property: Even if the blockage occurred where you think someone else ought to be responsible for payment they might still try to lay the blame at your door by, for example, claiming that you've been disposing of inappropriate items down the WC.)

You could check your insurance details but there's probably an excess of at least �50. The chances are that the insurance company would say that you're only entitled to about that amount anyway (because they'd say that �30 of the cost paid for routine, non-emergency, work), so you'd actually get nothing back.

Chris

[spinchimp]

Why on earth should Dynorod give you your money back - they came out after you called them, they cleared the drains on your property, and they had no authorisation to interfere with your neighbours drains - why should they pay?

[l_h_kings]

Because the agreement is to unblock any drain for a flat rate and the blockage wasn't cleared. Jeeze, I didn't say they should pay, I just asked if it was possible - that's what this site is for I thought.

[bracknell]

why didn't you call your home insurers?  Do you not watch Disaster Masters? Your household insurance should cover it as it is part of your property that is being damaged.  Or do you have an insurance with your local water board?  if so, they would also cover it

[Tim B]

I would dispute that a blockage on anybody else's property has anything to do with your responsibility.  The drains are well designed throughout (usually) and a blockage can only be caused by items snagging.  This is usually on a tree root or shift in the pipes' alignment.  As far as I understand it, it is entirely your neighbours responsibility.  Did Dynorod use a Video camera to ascertain the blockage?  Talk to your neighbours, hopefully they will investigate.  Worst case, get Dynorod back in with the camera, get video proof of where the blockage is and what is causing it.  Show your neighbours who will then have no choice but to rectify it.  You can take legal action if there is no alternative.  A note of caution, the blockage might be caused by tree roots from another neighbour's property, they in turn become liable.

Good luck.

[darford]

did the engineer attampt to clear the drain. dyno rod does not charge any call out fees you pay for the time spent on site. can i ask how old your house is. by the sound of it you are connected to what we call a communial drain which means it is shared with your neighbours now if your house was built before 1937 then you are entitled to free drainage clearnce from your locall water authorties how ever if it was built after 1937 then you are responsible for the clearnce and maintence of the drain up to the spur of the main ie the point where it connects to the main owned by the locall authorites. your buildings insurance does not cover you for the cost of blockages, only faults with the drain ie root intrusion,gorund movement,accidental damage ect. with regard to money everyone who is on that line above the blockage has a responsiblity to clear the line. if you would like any more advice please email me i am a drainage enigneer with 10 years experance