any building surveyors???????

[alloneday]

we have a rat problem in our extension, we have a 4 inch foul water drain running underneath the extension from the rear of the extension we have a 4 inch plastic rainwater pipe running directly into the foul water drain under the extension. We had a cctv survey of the drain showed the plastic pipe entered into an irregular elongated hole - we have been told that this connection could be where the rats are entering and requires sealing off by using a patch but we would need to redirect the downpipe to a soakaway. Is this correct this rat problem is driving me CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Builder]

Unless you have a combined foul/rainwater sewer, rainwater would usually be dealt with separately. It should go to a soakaway. This does sound like a bodge, especially with the irregular hole.

I guess this "connection" is right underneath the extension?
Even if it's a combined sewer, the connection should be accessible via an inspection point in the extension floor. If not, then it is a bodge.

If I've got this right, there are really only two things you can do.
Cut through the extension floor to get at the connection, or have a specialist company re-line the inside of the foul drain, thus sealing off the rainwater entry.

[alloneday]

thanks I have not got a "gully" fitted on the rainwater pipe so i have been told that this most probably the rats exit and entry there is a "void" around the connection of the two drains too where the rats may have nested - can this happen

[The Builder]

Yes it can. The junction should always be accessible. That way, even if the connection is "non standard", it can be dealt with.
I can't honestly see any alternative but to excavate to get at the junction :o(