As the estate is now more than 20 years old house maintenance is becoming an ever growing task. With this in mind the following may prove useful when tackling those jobs around the house.

Drains and drain Clearing

Private drains on the estate are made of pitch fibre, and in many places these are collapsing slowly causing occasional blockages. Where drains pass from one property to another, collecting additional branches before passing to the next property they are known as joint private drains (not sewers) and are the responsibility of individual house owners. Furthermore, residents should be aware that they responsible in law for the passage of effluent from any �up hill� neighbour who shares the joint private drain. In practice this means that if you section of the drain collapses thereby preventing draining from your neighbours properties you are entirely responsible, both in law, and for the cost of the repairs.

Before spending a lot of money having front drives re-paved, have the drains properly inspected, either by the council or by private contractors, and if defective have the drain re-laid prior to re-paving

Water Treatment

Many houses on the estate have a water softener fitted, but these are often bulky and occupy a rather large space in the garage. In addition they consume salt, the amount being proportional to the water used. If you are thinking of renewing your old softener or having one fitted, you may be interested to know about scale inhibitors. These are devices fitted to the incoming water main that prevent the formation of scale. Fitting is normally easy and quick, and there are no moving parts or other services involved. Different types are now available and your plumber or merchant should be able to advise you.

Gas pipes

When British Gas renewed the incoming mains pipes into our houses or garages some iron pipes buried under concrete floors pf house ere found to have corroded so badly that they were actually holed and leaking.

This note is by way of warning. If you think you can smell gas anywhere in the house other than in the kitchen beside the gas cooker) contact British Gas immediately. A word of caution however, the gas pipes beyond the gas meter, i.e. From the meter to the appliances are your responsibility.