Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start
in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing
to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property.
We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe.
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 yearsI think so, see highlighted section ...
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start
in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres
inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start
in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing
to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil >pipe? And will it have to go further?
On 28 Sep 2026 21:26:34 GMT, Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres
inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start
in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing
to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil
pipe? And will it have to go further?
Photos including the existing toilet inside, immediately outside, and
further back showing the general layout of the inspection positions
and the shared soil pipe are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8aE8
Hopefully all fairly self-explanatory.
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start
in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing
to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
On 28/09/2026 21:50, AnthonyL wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows.-a It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property.-a We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres
inside.-a This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe.-a I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed.-a It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs.-a Work is due to start
in 3 weeks.-a Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing
to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner.-a So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
Saniflos are noisy and occasionally cause problems, but they are a lot cheaper than digging a new drain.
On 29 Sep 2026 at 19:53:16 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 21:26:34 GMT, Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres >>>> inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start >>>> in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing >>>> to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil >>> pipe? And will it have to go further?
Photos including the existing toilet inside, immediately outside, and
further back showing the general layout of the inspection positions
and the shared soil pipe are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8aE8
Hopefully all fairly self-explanatory.
I agree it looks as though it will probably work ok as it is so near the inspection chamber, but you may have to find another builder if the existing one interprets the regulations as saying he has to provide an air vent.
On 30/09/2026 09:19, Roger Hayter wrote:
On 29 Sep 2026 at 19:53:16 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:There must be one already. Its mandatory on all sewage systems. What
On 28 Sep 2026 21:26:34 GMT, Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems >>>>> as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't >>>>> have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle >>>>> (all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about >>>>> 2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres >>>>> inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years >>>>> and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start >>>>> in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing >>>>> to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil >>>> pipe? And will it have to go further?
Photos including the existing toilet inside, immediately outside, and
further back showing the general layout of the inspection positions
and the shared soil pipe are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8aE8
Hopefully all fairly self-explanatory.
I agree it looks as though it will probably work ok as it is so near the
inspection chamber, but you may have to find another builder if the existing >> one interprets the regulations as saying he has to provide an air vent.
isn't mandatory is one per toilet etc etc
On 30 Sep 2026 at 11:40:13 BST, "The Natural Philosopher" <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 30/09/2026 09:19, Roger Hayter wrote:
On 29 Sep 2026 at 19:53:16 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:There must be one already. Its mandatory on all sewage systems. What
On 28 Sep 2026 21:26:34 GMT, Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems >>>>>> as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't >>>>>> have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle >>>>>> (all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway >>>>>> and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about >>>>>> 2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres >>>>>> inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly >>>>>> opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench. >>>>>>
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years >>>>>> and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start >>>>>> in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing >>>>>> to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on >>>>>> the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the >>>>>> outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil >>>>> pipe? And will it have to go further?
Photos including the existing toilet inside, immediately outside, and
further back showing the general layout of the inspection positions
and the shared soil pipe are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8aE8
Hopefully all fairly self-explanatory.
I agree it looks as though it will probably work ok as it is so near the >>> inspection chamber, but you may have to find another builder if the existing
one interprets the regulations as saying he has to provide an air vent.
isn't mandatory is one per toilet etc etc
The implication of the OP was that there was only one on alternate houses. I doubt if that would meet regulations even if it worked.
It would probably workI think it would.
ok if there is only 2.5 of not very steep pipe to the inspection chamber, but as you say I doubt it would meet regulations.
On 28 Sep 2026 21:26:34 GMT, Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres
inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start
in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing
to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil
pipe? And will it have to go further?
Photos including the existing toilet inside, immediately outside, and
further back showing the general layout of the inspection positions
and the shared soil pipe are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8aE8
Hopefully all fairly self-explanatory.
On 30/09/2026 11:56, Roger Hayter wrote:
The implication of the OP was that there was only one on alternate houses. I >> doubt if that would meet regulations even if it worked.
It would and it might well.
Essentially the purpose of the vent is to allow methane to escape from--
the whole sewage system. So it prevents any positive pressure build up
A secondary purpose of not allowing a vacuum either, to avoid sucking U bends and traps dry, is cated for by additional Durgos type valves where required
AnthonyL <nospam@please.invalid> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 21:26:34 GMT, Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems
as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't
have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle
(all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about
2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres >>>> inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years
and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start >>>> in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing >>>> to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil >>> pipe? And will it have to go further?
Photos including the existing toilet inside, immediately outside, and
further back showing the general layout of the inspection positions
and the shared soil pipe are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8aE8
Hopefully all fairly self-explanatory.
I cannot see why a trench needs digging, your bath and basin wastes seem to >empty in a gully and you can bet your bottom dollar that under that gully >will be a 4rCY clay pipe. Did your plumber lift the manhole cover? I would >expect there to be at least one pipe entering it if the toilet and other >wastes are combined underground or more likely two, one for the toilet and >one for the bath/basin waste.
If you have as outlined above and are concerned about venting, you can
attach a soil stack to the wall and feed it into that existing for the
basin and bath underground waste pipe. The stack may need cranking at the >bottom to avoid the window but both toilet and bath/basin wastes can simply >be fed into the vertical stack.
On 30/09/2026 09:19, Roger Hayter wrote:
On 29 Sep 2026 at 19:53:16 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:There must be one already. Its mandatory on all sewage systems. What
On 28 Sep 2026 21:26:34 GMT, Roger Hayter <roger@hayter.org> wrote:
On 28 Sep 2026 at 21:50:49 BST, "AnthonyL" <AnthonyL> wrote:
Bathroom refurb and advice needed on several fronts concerning:
1) Is Building Control required?
2) Is any change necessary to the existing shared soil pipe
arrangement.
All the properties on this estate are 1968 build bungalows. It seems >>>>> as if there is only one soil pipe on every other property. We don't >>>>> have a soil pipe, but next door does and our sewage goes from the
inspection pit, down the driveway a bit, then goes across at an angle >>>>> (all downhill slopes) to join an inspection pit on the neighbours
path.
Our toilet is against the wall on the side adjacent to our driveway
and the trench goes at about 45 deg angle to the inspection pit about >>>>> 2.5m away on the far side of the driveway.
We want to move the toilet across the bathroom* and a couple of metres >>>>> inside. This will require a new trench which will now be directly
opposite the inspection pit and hence shorter than the old trench.
The builder says we need our own soil pipe. I don't see why as
nothing has fundamentally changed. It's been ok for nearly 60 years >>>>> and at best they are unsightly. Who's right.
The builder has not mentioned any Building Regs. Work is due to start >>>>> in 3 weeks. Are approvals needed?
* We (SWMBO) want the bath across the exterior wall instead of backing >>>>> to it aligned with the l/hand wall, but the toilet is in the r/h
corner. So put the bath across (90deg rotation), put the toilet on
the l/h wall adjacent to the side of the bath and run a pipe to the
outside to a new trench.
How does water from the bath, kitchen and washing machine get to the soil >>>> pipe? And will it have to go further?
Photos including the existing toilet inside, immediately outside, and
further back showing the general layout of the inspection positions
and the shared soil pipe are at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA8aE8
Hopefully all fairly self-explanatory.
I agree it looks as though it will probably work ok as it is so near the
inspection chamber, but you may have to find another builder if the existing >> one interprets the regulations as saying he has to provide an air vent.
isn't mandatory is one per toilet etc etc
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 30/09/2026 11:56, Roger Hayter wrote:
The implication of the OP was that there was only one on alternate houses. I
doubt if that would meet regulations even if it worked.
It would and it might well.
ThatrCOs the system here, every second house has a vent pipe, alternating >with those that have internal Durgo valves.
I'm not concerned about venting. It has worked as is since 1968 and I
don't want an unnecessary soil pipe. The builder has thus far said I
must have one. I'm trying to ensure I have evidence that shows that
the current arrangement is satisfactory.
I am trying to establish that, contrary to the builder's view, there
need be no change to that arrangement just because a minor change in alignment of the outlets on my side is taking place.
On 30 Sep 2026 14:34:29 GMT, Spike <aero.spike@mail.com> wrote:
The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> wrote:
On 30/09/2026 11:56, Roger Hayter wrote:
The implication of the OP was that there was only one on alternate houses. I
doubt if that would meet regulations even if it worked.
It would and it might well.
ThatrCOs the system here, every second house has a vent pipe, alternating
with those that have internal Durgo valves.
Is "here" bungalows as well? Do you know the regs that allow that?
How does one establish whether and where Durgo valves are?
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