sewage pipe nightmare

[gayle]

Please help! I am looking for some advice on my sewage pipe nightmare. I move into my new home almost 4 months ago, for the first month I had no drainage problems then for the last three months my washing machine has flooded over the floor and my toilets have overflowed. Each time the builders who are still on site rodded the pipe work under my house and blamed various reasons for my flooding. 1. neighbours putting oil and nappies down the drains. 2. the pipework being sabbotaged with planks of wood 3. toilet paper and since then I have heard from my neighbours they are accusing me of putting sanitary products down the toilet blocking the pipes. This comment made me especially angry considering at times my problem has been occurring every two weeks. Customer services have been very unhelpful and slow to act.:angry: Eventually (after the fourth flood)they said they would send a camera team out to investigate the pipes under my house and replace the damaged lino in my bathrooms but with regards to compensation for having raw sewage in my house they do not ever pay any compensation!
An independant company cctv'd the pipes and showed me the camera evidence showing 40% water sitting in the main pipe and at times during the flush test water would flow back towards my toilet. This would account for the problems I have been experiencing and proves the pipework has been layed at the wrong level under my house.
Since then I have been emailing daily to inquire if my builder has received the report and what action they are going to take and so far 3 weeks on I am no further forward and am anxiously awaiting my next flood. The independant company who camera'd the pipework has assured me that they faxed the report to my builder and also game me a verbal report that there is also a fracture in the pipe under my home.
I am at my wits end and I do not know where to turn, should I be taking legal action as in order to replace these pipes they will need to digg up my house as they are situated 10m under my house.
Plaese could anyone give me advice on what I should do. If anyone has a similar experience I would like to hear your storie and how you resolved the matter.
Thanx Gayle

[gayle]

An update to my original post.

Stewart milne have admitted that the sewage pipe under my house has been layed at the wrong level. they are suggesting that a new pipe be layed around my house and the old pipe to be capped. I am unsure if this is the best method and woulg be greatful of any advice anyone can give me. The original pipe runs 1-2m under the house from the kitchen at the back of the house through the hall to the front door and beneath the monoblock driveway. I have been told that a new building warrant will be needed for laying a new pipe and so far the builders have not said that they have one. Should I be getting my conveyancing solicitor and NHBC involved to make sure everything is as it should be? I would greatly appreciate any comments on this or if anyone has a similar story I would love to hear from you :side:

[Tony]

It is reasonable for you to have no confidence in the builders and for them to pay for a property professional appointed by you or your solicitor to inspect their plans and agree to them.

In terms of compensation, you can claim out-of-pocket expenses. i.e. cost of calls, postage, days off work (you can calculate the value of these). You need evidence for all this. If the total is less that £5000 you can use moneyclaim online.

I hope this helps.

Tony

[gayle]

Thanks for your advice I will get on to it straight away and let you know how I get on