Misconnected sewer pipe

[FFSivenoideawheretostart]

We’ve had a visit from our local water company today and it seems out downstairs toilet has been misconnected to the storm drain.

The toilet was put in well before we owned the house but I’ve no idea when or by who.

I understand that this is our issue to rectify as we own the house but the man who came said it is unlikely to be covered by home insurance.

Has anyone had this happen? What do we do and what might it cost?

We only bought the house a year ago, I am devastated.

Sounds like the previous owners have done a botch job? How far is the loo from the main soil pipe?

This is the diagram on the sheet they gave us, but my OH seems to think from the conversation he had that the storm drain actually runs under the garden, not the 2 bits of extension you can see sticking out.

Where's the loo on that diagram?

Your best bet is to call out some tradespeople for advice. What kind of floor do you have on ground floor?

The blob where it says t/s then the arrow to the drain, so just inside the main “square” of the house.

Tiles and laminate, I assume concrete underneath.

If the loo is on same side of house as soil/foul pipe it's not as bad (if that's any consolation).

Thank you, I appreciate the replies.

I’m not totally sure it is from what my OH says, he thinks the guy was saying it would have to be re routed out the side, round the extension and back in towards the house.

I guess it’s better than being completely opposite. I have no idea how we are going to afford this work, is it likely to be covered by our house insurance?

Are there any external sewer pipes on the outside walls of the house where the toilet is located? Maybe from an upstairs toilet or similar?

It all depends where the pipes run on the outside (underground ). And if you can get enough fall to connect to the other. You shouldn’t have to touch inside.

Insurance won't cover this no. Its a botch job not an unforeseen issue. Did surveyor not notice it?

Not noticed by surveyor, no. But we did not have a drainage survey I don’t think. I will check paperwork though just in case.

Toilet is on the side and soil pipe is on the back.

We’ve had someone look who has suggested a saniflow, installed with the pipe low to the ground and run round the back of the house to join the soil pipe.

I would avoid saniflow if at all possible. What other toilets do you have in the property?

Hi I am currently in a similar situation. Did you manage to rectify this in the end?