Sewer Smell

[Knighton]

We live in a middle terraced house and a while ago we got new neighbours.

They had the house re-done including the fitting of we think two new toilets and a new stack.

Since then we get periodic sewer smells, sometimes the stench is so disgusting that we have to open all the doors.

We’ve had our drains cctv’d and no issues, the sewers checked and gas and again no issues. We’ve had our downstairs floor up and agin there was nothing.

It’s worse in the winter and better in the summer

We can’t confirm when the smells happen but it always appears to be when our neighbours are in and we think it might be linked to their washing machine or downstairs toilet.

In the summer they dry there clothes on the line and there seems to be less smells - which might be the reason.

Sadly our relationship with our neighbours is that they have previously been uninteresting/ unhelpful about timing of works drilling at 9pm next to a 4 year old child’s room.

They don’t talk to us, so we can’t have a casual chat and they have never mentioned anything.

What would people recommend doing?

When we move house (we all own them) do we have to declare it?

If we state we think it’s them do they have to take action or can they ignore it?

If we do talk to them about it do we have to declare it during sale?

It’s annoying but just about liveable with as it usually last 5-10 mins

Anyone got any knowledge or whether it’s toxic


Any help is gratefully appreciated

 

[KenGMac]

Knighton, good evening.

Difficult position to be in.

Does anyone else that you can talk to have a similar issue? how about the neighbour two doors down??

Is your property on a higher level than your neighbour? if so then your underfloor could remain "dry" whilst if the neighbour has some sort of a leak the water would tend to stay under their property??

Have you considered contacting the local to you "Environmental Health" Dept. of the Local Authority?

Did your neighbour get building control permission for the work that was undertaken on their property? you could check on the Local Authorities Planning / Building Control Portal?? The drains and any modifications should have been inspected by the Local Authority?

Ken.

 

[Knighton]

Ken

Thanks for the tips

I will start by looking at the local authorities website

I know they installed new pipes and soil pipe I’m just wondering if they fitted the downstairs toilet to it as it’s in the middle of the house and they had a concrete floor

Part of our problem is we don’t get on with neighbours either side but loads in the street

The houses seem porous as the smell of cigarette smoke sometimes comes through from the other side and we can’t tell when they’ve poured white spirit down the drain.

We have previously had our drains cctvd and the water authority out all negative

I think we’re all on the same level the road is higher than the houses by 2 foot; a 3 up 2 down