A hidden buried manhole chamber

Drain Clearance UK Ltd were recently called out to a property in Maidenhead to unblock a drainage system to a large detached house on Monday 11th March 2024.

The drainage systems to the house consisted of a series of Manhole chambers around the property and then terminated at the side of the property. The chambers were filled to capacity and upon checking were found to be at least 1.5 meters deep.

The occupants have lived in the property for the past 30 years and had good knowledge of their property’s drainage layout. Drain Clearance UK Ltd commented that there was a possibility of a further chamber located under the grassed landscaped area to the front of the property. We were assured there was not, but experience told us that there was a strong chance of there being one.

We carried out a basic search but nothing was initially found, we then decided to use a metal detection probe to the areas of the front of the property. This picked up a metal object buried at least 800 mm deep and  after digging down we discovered a manhole that was associated with the drainage issue. Once lifted we set to work to unblock the chamber. Once cleared it was clear that the chamber had a top and bottom flow system, and the top section usually had a terracotta cap / plug fitted this over time had worked loose and blocked the lower flow invert , and this is where the blockage occured.

The occupants were amazed that firstly the chamber actually was there and that the problem was caused by the cap coming away. Upon inspection when all was washed down and cleared it was realised that the blockage could have not been cleared via the connecting chamber.

Drain Clearance UK Ltd were happy to advise, and the occupants are up and running again and are over the moon with our service.