Neighbours installed a raised drain on my garden

[Careermummy]

Hi, my attached neighbours have recently done some improvements to their house and consulted me on anything that affects my property. I've not had issues with anything. However their builder has now removed the shared drain pipe at the front of our houses (in the middle, slightly more on my side) & replaced it with a raised grid about 10-20cm. To me it doesn't look right and stands out (before it was just a discreet pipe going into the ground). I was not consulted on this. Would this bother you and if so how would you approach your neighbour about this? We get on well so I do not want to fall out with them but equally don't want to see this eyesore every time I get gone. Thanks.

@Careermummy

Hi, my attached neighbours have recently done some improvements to their house and consulted me on anything that affects my property. I've not had issues with anything. However their builder has now removed the shared drain pipe at the front of our houses (in the middle, slightly more on my side) & replaced it with a raised grid about 10-20cm. To me it doesn't look right and stands out (before it was just a discreet pipe going into the ground). I was not consulted on this. Would this bother you and if so how would you approach your neighbour about this? We get on well so I do not want to fall out with them but equally don't want to see this eyesore every time I get gone. Thanks.

Apologies 10-20 inches not cm

Can you post a picture? I would decide what you want done about it and go talk to them. They will probably be mortified to have not checked with you.

@GoWalkabout

Can you post a picture? I would decide what you want done about it and go talk to them. They will probably be mortified to have not checked with you.

Here :-)

It just needs the gully taking off ,a bit cutting off the pipe and then replacing. It will make the Dow pipe too short so will need a new piece Or a shoe putting on. It’s a simple job. Looks like it’s about 4 inch too high to me ? 10-20 inches ???

They may have left it high like that to stop anything ( grass ,soil, leaves etc). From going in it at ground level and clogging it up over time ?

Surely that drain needs setting into the ground and the black Dow pipe needs extending

@Thunderpunt

Surely that drain needs setting into the ground and the black Dow pipe needs extending

That's exactly what I thought

@Chumleymouse

It just needs the gully taking off ,a bit cutting off the pipe and then replacing. It will make the Dow pipe too short so will need a new piece Or a shoe putting on. It’s a simple job. Looks like it’s about 4 inch too high to me ? 10-20 inches ???

It's not the best angle but is definitely higher then 4 inches.

I don't understand why down pipe keeps autocorrecting to Dow pipe Is that a thing

I would ask them to replace like with like.

All my surface water pipes from the gutters are just a pipe which has a rubber collar and attaches to a pipe underground. The only ones I have where the pipe is short like that are the washing machine drain and the kitchen sink drain.

They can easily fit a connector piece to the pipe and conceal it underground like it was before. Feels a bit lazy what they did. Ask them to replace it like for like.

I meant where it has a grid on the top and you can pour stuff into the drain because it is classed as grey water. I am not sure yours should be accessible as it is taking the more clean water off your roof. Like I said, mine are all enclosed for gutter drain pipes.

Surely the bottom part should be flush with ground level, and the down pipe longer otherwise the water is just going to every where else.

Whoever's wall that is is going to have some cracking problems with damp in the future, I can guarantee that.

Downpipe is too short by far, grate piece needs to be countersunk. Cowboy job and a real eyesore. Get the neighbours to make it right (that will be picked up immediately by a surveyor as a concern should you want to sell your house in the future)

I would talk to the neighbours.

Just say ‘I see the replacement drain sticks up and it’s not really what I was expecting. Can you ask them to …, thank you!’

Havjng a conversation and making a request is not confrontation or having an argument

It’s a bodge job , just tell your neighbours that they need to get it redone properly .

Don't get them to replace it like for like. A downpipe which disappears straight into the ground may look discreet, but it's not best practice. The first you'll know if it blocks is when you notice a damp patch on the wall inside the house because the gutters have been overflowing for months.

With a grating like that, you'll see water overflowing down at ground level, where it won't do much harm, and can take action to sort it out.

It doesn't need to be way up in the air like that though, it looks all wrong. I could see why it might be a good idea for it to be a little above ground level, to avoid getting blocked with mud and grass cuttings, but it would look better lower down and encased in mortar or concrete.