KarlSUK

Hi, Thank you for replies and advice. I Should add that each house has pipes under their garden that link to the main sewer. His complaint is regards the pipe under his garden believe. He has had the lawn replaced with astroturf and thus has had work done in the garden that could have affected the pipe, it could also be argued that it would have been wise to inspect the pipe work while undertaking a redesign of the garden ?. On checking there are bushes in behind a wall at the rear of his house and another tree two doors down from him. The garden next to him has several bushes. He has no plants in the garden, although he did originally have bushes and a tree. The house between mine and his has only a very invasive ivy, extremely large and to be fair roots from this often popup on the other side of my garden so this does spread wildly. The drainage pipes are not believed to be very deep in these gardens, probably around 3 ft down if this would be relevant. Regards Karl

Hi, Some advise please. I live in a 1970's built three floor terrace, although it is 2 floor at the rear as it is built into a hill, with garage and entrance a bottom in the front. The building required some backfill work on the rear foundations shortly after building to prevent subsidence, but this was a long time prior to moving here, My neighbour two doors down came to inform me that he has had to have his pipes unblocked ant it was found the blockage was caused by roots. In my garden I have several trees, a very tall Eucalyptus, above house by about 6-8ft, this is located about 2mtrs from the back of my house and has raised a the concrete around it, the tree is mature and over 20 years old. A Bird Cherry at the end of the garden that is fully mature and quite high, planted in the early 70;s when the house was built. There is also a 25 year plus Apple Tree at the end of the garden. Added to this there is a Lauren hedge on one side of the garden that has cause root ingress to my own pipes in the past. There are quite a lot of treen in the area but my trees and one other unknown tree further down the road are the closest large tress to my neighbour. My question is regards the possibility of the tress causing issues with the pipe several houses down ? The liability for cost to repair, ie: despite the tress being large could it be reasonable to have foreseen the issue ? As I have read via googling the lability is with the tree owner if it could have been reasonably foreseen, also that once advised I could be held liable for any future damage if I do not take steps to mitigate the cause. Could the age and lack of maintenance of the pipe work be a contributing factor, as 50 year only sewer pipes laid by council builders would probably not be in the best state of repair. My proposal is to have the two larger trees removed, as I can not see what other mitigation I can do ? Although I am open to suggestions if anyone has any. Cost is the real issue here as I do not really have the funds to remove the trees - and certainly could not afford to pay to defend any court action or pay cost for replacement of sewers on others land. The neighbour is known to be unreasonable so and mediation is not likely. Any advice, help and guidance would be appreciated, Many Thanks Karl