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Townhouse built over Sewer Main, should we still buy it?
Topic Started: 3 Jul 2017, 12:52 AM (1,158 Views)
Deleted User
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Good evening everyone,

After years of searching, we have finally found a townhouse we’re hoping to purchase. It’s in a great location and the price is something we’re just able to afford. It ticks nearly every single box in our checklist and we’re really happy to have found it. However there is just a single problem: the house is built over a sewer main.

Currently there’s a 225 Vitrified Clay (VC) Pipe running underneath the garage, sitting 1.1m below the ground. And I was told by Sydney Water that the pipe is NOT Concrete Encased. There are also two Maintenance Holes at both ends of the lot boundary.

The sewer information is provided below:
http://imgur.com/a/gXGsw
https://www.sydneywater.com.au/web/groups/publicwebcontent/documents/document/zgrf/mdq2/~edisp/dd_046972.pdf

Although more importantly from a sanitary drainage diagram given, it says “Plumbing or Drainage found completed without inspection and does not meet Sydney Water’s requirements.” It seems the pipe have not been inspected after construction work had been done. This presents an issue as when problem occur with the sewer pipe (like bursts or leaks), Sydney Water told me they’re not liable for any compensations.

What we’re wondering is:
1. Would it be possible to have the sewer main inspected so that it’s covered by Sydney Water’s compensations? I’m not even sure if it’s possible to do it at this stage as the pipe is already under the building slab.
2. If it is possible for us to arrange an inspection, and the results show that the pipe does not meet Sydney Water’s requirements. Does it mean we have to take full responsibility if accidents occur and there are damages to our property?
3. What would be the worst case scenario in case an accident happen? What sort of damages will it cause? Will the house be in any risk to be knocked down or partially dismantled?
4. If a leak or burst happens with the pipe, will it affect the structural integrity underneath the building in any way?
5. How much compensations are Sydney Water legally required to provide in case damages are done to the house?

This is the first time we’re buying a property so I’m really not sure what to think of all these. Would you still recommend to purchase this townhouse given the above issues with the sewer pipe (not concrete encased, not inspected etc.)? We’ve been searching for years and this really seem to be a great place for us to live in. But we’re not sure how much detriment or inconvenience this sewer main will cause for us in the future. Although the townhouse is built in the 1950s, we do hope to stay here for a very long time (several decades).

We’ve been reading through Sydney Water’s Technical Guidelines regarding this for the past couple of days:
http://www.sydneywater.com.au/web/groups/publicwebcontent/documents/document/zgrf/mdc2/~edisp/dd_076198.pdf

However it’s really hard for us to wrap our head around as neither of us are Engineers, or have a similar technical background. Would sincerely be thankful if someone who have knowledge in this area can help us out.

Once again thank you so much for reading through this, really cannot express how much we appreciate your help on this matter. It really means a lot to us and we’re really grateful for your comments!

Cheers and best wishes!
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herbie
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Google "sydney sewer pipe reline"; Pick one and give them a call perhaps - For just maybe as close to free and hopefully all round general 'specialist' advice on it all as you're going to get?

Good luck.
A Professional Demographer to an amateur demographer: "negative natural increase will never outweigh the positive net migration"
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GloomBoomDoom
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Sounds like a potential shit hole!
MSE
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Bardon
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Answers below.

First up though its only a very small diameter line which is a positive.

Get it inspected and see what is there. The inspection guys should give you an idea of replacement costs if likely.

Best you can hope for is negotiating something back from the seller due to this.
sapped
3 Jul 2017, 12:52 AM

1.Would it be possible to have the sewer main inspected so that it’s covered by Sydney Water’s compensations? I’m not even sure if it’s possible to do it at this stage as the pipe is already under the building slab.

Yes you can get it inspected with a camera without too much difficulty. This will give you an indication of the condition and if there is any existing damage. You wont get it covered by Sydney Water though.

2.If it is possible for us to arrange an inspection, and the results show that the pipe does not meet Sydney Water’s requirements. Does it mean we have to take full responsibility if accidents occur and there are damages to our property?

Yes.

3.What would be the worst case scenario in case an accident happen? What sort of damages will it cause? Will the house be in any risk to be knocked down or partially dismantled?

Sewer blocked is it just from your house or are others affected?

Can be unblocked.

If it collapses due to say massive root ingress you will need to replace it.

You can do this by relining, pipe ramming or worst case scenario saw cutting the garage slab and laying by open trench.




4.If a leak or burst happens with the pipe, will it affect the structural integrity underneath the building in any way?

Wont affect the structural integrity of the above structure, you say it is under the garage and not the house as well.

5.How much compensations are Sydney Water legally required to provide in case damages are done to the house?

None as they have qualified this already to you.

Edited by Bardon, 3 Jul 2017, 11:28 AM.
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jrsnr
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Insurance?

Does insurer provide coverage? And to what extent?

If you can't get insurance and the worst case does happen what is the possible out of pocket expenses?

You may also try searching NSW Caselaw to see if there has been any court cases regarding similar context.

https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/browse?display=all
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Ex BP Golly
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Is there an easement on the Certificate of Title, which might give them a right to rip up your slab to fix any problems?

WHAT WOULD EDDIE DO? MAAAATE!
Share a cot with Milton?
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