Buying a rural home in Somerset? Unlike most city properties, many rural properties rely on private drainage systems such as septic tanks and shared drains. Before you buy, check for private drainage, shared responsibilities, seasonal flooding risks and ageing pipework. A professional CCTV drain survey can identify expensive problems before they become yours.
Escaping the city for the peace and beauty of rural Somerset is an exciting move. But while many buyers focus on surveys, boundaries and broadband, one important area is often overlooked: drainage.
Unlike most urban homes, many rural properties aren’t connected to the public sewer. That means you could become responsible for septic tanks, shared drainage systems and ageing underground pipework – issues that aren’t always obvious during a viewing.
Understanding these potential problems before you buy could save you thousands of pounds in unexpected repair costs and give you complete confidence in your new home.
Every rural property is different, but there are several drainage issues that regularly catch buyers by surprise. Here are the four most common problems we see across Somerset – and what you can do to avoid them.
If you’ve only ever lived in a town or city, this is often the biggest surprise. In rural areas of Somerset (and other parts of the country), there is often no public sewage system. Property owners need their own septic tanks or local sewage treatment plants, unlike urban areas with direct access to a public sewage system.
This is rarely apparent when viewing a rural property. Even a RICS Level 3 Building Survey only includes a visual drainage inspection.
Example
Your stunning, converted farmhouse has a poorly maintained septic tank hidden somewhere on the property. Initially, there are no obvious problems, but over time, strange smells appear and the drains become clogged and toilets block.
In addition, tree root ingress into the pipework is common, and this causes blockages, fractured pipes and leaks.
Solution
Mega Rod conducts a CCTV drain survey to identify blockages, damaged pipes and the location and condition of septic tanks.
In rural areas, several properties may share a drainage system (rare in cities). Responsibility for maintenance isn’t always obvious, and without a clear picture of the private network, it’s uncertain which bit belongs to each property.
Example
You purchase a converted barn with a large garden. Later, you discover your neighbours’ drainage system (or several neighbours) passes through your land, and you must contribute to the maintenance of a local treatment plant.
Disagreement can arise between neighbours regarding appropriate action, so it’s essential to know if a maintenance agreement exists and which neighbours are involved.
Solution
Check Your Documents – Your title deeds detail your legal rights regarding maintenance and access. They should also note if there are specific agreements for shared maintenance. If these don’t exist, the wisest course is to have a formal legal agreement between all relevant parties.
Professional survey – Mega Rod uses sonar drain tracing to map the location and condition of underground pipes and septic tanks. It’s highly accurate and non-invasive.
While flooding is often associated with rivers, many drainage problems in rural Somerset are caused by saturated ground and overwhelmed private drainage systems.
Rural Somerset suffers from problems caused by groundwater and surface water, issues unique to the area, so new homeowners from further afield are often unaware of the consequences.
Much of the region is low-lying and the local soil is boggy. High rainfall is common and fields become saturated, resulting in large areas of standing water. This places rural water management systems under intense pressure.
Example
Your new home is located near low-lying ground vulnerable to flooding. You view your new home on a dry summer’s day, and the problem isn’t obvious. Several months later, you wake up surrounded by water.
Solution
Engage local specialists such as Mega Rod to determine if the property’s drainage system is sufficient for local conditions.
Period properties such as old houses, barn conversions and old farmhouses are popular with buyers relocating from cities. However, older properties have often been modified and extended repeatedly over the years.
Example
Your elegant 15th-century thatched cottage suffers from slow drainage, blocked toilets and awful smells, and you only realise this after you move in.
Solution
A CCTV drainage survey reveals a complex maze of crumbling old clay pipes attached to new pipework – a setup that’s evolved piecemeal over the years. This can also indicate tree root ingress blocking pipes and/or an overflowing septic tank. Mega Rod can repair or replace tanks and pipework and remove invasive roots.
If you’re buying a rural home in Somerset, arranging a professional drain survey before exchanging contracts can be a wise investment. While a standard property survey may identify visible signs of damp or drainage issues, it won’t usually inspect the underground drainage system in detail.
A CCTV drain survey provides a clear picture of what’s happening below ground. It can reveal cracked or collapsed pipes, blockages, tree root ingress, poorly maintained septic tanks, and other hidden problems that could lead to expensive repairs after you’ve moved in.
This is particularly important if you’re buying an older property, a barn conversion, a farmhouse or any home that isn’t connected to the public sewer.
Identifying drainage problems before you complete your purchase gives you the opportunity to negotiate repairs, factor maintenance costs into your budget, or simply move forward with confidence, knowing there won’t be any unpleasant surprises waiting underground.
Before committing to your new home, make sure you understand what’s happening below ground. A professional drain survey can uncover hidden problems that aren’t visible during a standard property viewing.
Whether you’re buying a farmhouse, barn conversion or country cottage, Mega Rod’s experienced local team can help you purchase with confidence.
Contact the experienced local team at Mega Rod today, on 01225 422 980
