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Gaps around pipes

5 replies

KarbyBugger · 11/10/2025 19:27

Have the fear that these gaps will allow pests into our house - what is it best to use to close these spaces off?

Gaps around pipes
Gaps around pipes
OP posts:
PigletJohn · 11/10/2025 20:22

How old is the house?

Stand back and take some wider pics please. I am particularly interested in the layout of pipes, gullies and manholes, and any signs of previous attempted repairs including concrete patches and poultices

KarbyBugger · 12/10/2025 17:13

Hi @PigletJohn thanks for responding. The house is 1930s. More pics. Previous owners did a new kitchen in 2017/18.

Gaps around pipes
Gaps around pipes
Gaps around pipes
Gaps around pipes
OP posts:
PigletJohn · 12/10/2025 21:32

I can see there is a gulley with a rainwater downpipe and an assortment of waste pipes near the corner of the house on our left, and I can see some of the concrete has been patched or altered at various times. I would guess the underground pipe goes round the corner and passes beneath a passage at the side of the house towards the sewer under the road. There might be additional drain points or manholes along this route.

I can also see a soil pipe going into the ground, don't know where this is on the house, and can't see the state of the concrete. Quite likely it is connected to the other drain at some point but there is no indication of route.

The gullies look to have iron grates that the waste pipes discharge onto, these grilles should lift out for cleaning. The gullies I am pretty sure will be glazed fired clay, dark brown like an old teapot. At this age I am pretty sure they will be cracked and leaking in the ground. This is usually evidenced by surrounding concrete being sunken, cracked or patched in previous unsuccessful attempts to cover up. Sometimes there is vigorous vegetation or weed growth, due to constant irrigation, and sometimes wild tomato plants, which are an indicator of sewage leaks.

I am told that there is a pre-1945 house in England where the clay gullies are not cracked, but I have never seen it.

Looking on the bright side, removal of broken gullies and replacement with new is remarkably simple. It does involve some digging and is preferably done during summer. It is done by builders, not plumbers. You have to dig out all the broken clay until you reach sound material.

It's all very common.

KarbyBugger · 12/10/2025 21:38

@PigletJohn thanks for the detailed response, I really appreciate it!

You are right, there is a side passage with manholes so the sewage pipe goes out there.

The concrete is not in great repair with clear cracks.

There were some weeds growing but not much and no wild tomato.

Is this a job we can leave till next.summer and can I use some ready mix mortar for these gaps for now?.I'm in the north east so it's about to get very non-summery.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 12/10/2025 21:57

Yes, no.

The concrete cracks because the leak washes away the soil below, leaving a cavity into which it subsides.

The old repairs are a clue to the fault. They don't fix the problem.

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