WDI GROUP (SURREY) LTD
DRAINAGE, UNBLOCKING & DRAIN INVESTIGATION TERMS & CONDITIONS
These terms apply to drain unblocking, rodding, high-pressure water jetting, drain cleaning, CCTV drain surveys, investigations, repairs and associated drainage works undertaken or arranged by WDI Group (Surrey) Ltd. They should be read together with our Standard Quotation Terms & Conditions and, where applicable, our Plumbing and Repairs, Call-outs & Fault Finding Terms & Conditions.
1. SCOPE OF WORKS
WDI Group will undertake only the drainage work specifically agreed within the quotation, booking or job instruction. Drain unblocking, investigation, CCTV surveying and permanent drain repairs are separate types of work unless expressly included together. Additional work outside the agreed scope will be chargeable.
2. DRAINAGE ATTENDANCE IS CHARGEABLE
Attendance to investigate, locate or attempt to clear a drainage problem is chargeable work. Charges remain payable for attendance, equipment, labour and professional time undertaken even where the blockage cannot be fully cleared during initial attendance, the cause cannot immediately be identified, access prevents completion, the drain is found damaged or collapsed, specialist equipment or excavation is required, or the Client chooses not to proceed with recommended further work. This is subject to WDI Group carrying out the agreed service with reasonable care and skill.
3. BLOCKAGE CLEARANCE
Where WDI Group is instructed to unblock a drain, the purpose of the service is to restore reasonable flow where practicable. Successful clearance of a blockage does not mean the underlying drain is structurally sound or free from defects.
4. NO GUARANTEE AGAINST RECURRENCE
Clearing a blockage does not guarantee the drain will not become blocked again. Recurring blockages can result from damaged pipework, displaced joints, poor falls, collapsed drains, root ingress, scale, fat/oil/grease, wipes and sanitary products, foreign objects, inadequate pipe sizing, defective connections, structural movement or other underlying conditions. Where an underlying defect remains, further blockage or drainage problems may occur.
5. RECURRING BLOCKAGES
Where a blockage repeatedly returns, further investigation may be recommended. This may include CCTV inspection, additional cleaning, excavation or repair. Repeated unblocking does not constitute a permanent repair where the underlying cause has not been corrected. Further attendance will be chargeable unless recurrence results directly from defective work undertaken by WDI Group.
6. RODDING
Drain rods may be used where appropriate to clear or investigate a blockage. Existing drains may contain deteriorated joints, cracked pipes, displaced sections or previous defective repairs. WDI Group will exercise reasonable care when rodding. Where reasonable rodding exposes or causes movement in an existing defective or deteriorated drain which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, necessary repair work will be chargeable.
7. HIGH-PRESSURE WATER JETTING
High-pressure water jetting may be used to remove blockages, grease, scale, deposits and other obstructions. Existing drains which are cracked, collapsed, badly corroded, poorly jointed or structurally weakened can be vulnerable during cleaning. Where WDI Group has exercised reasonable care and skill, WDI Group is not responsible for failure of existing drainage components resulting from pre-existing deterioration or structural weakness which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand.
8. BLOCKAGES CAN CONCEAL DEFECTS
A blockage can prevent inspection of the drain beyond the obstructed area. Once blockage is cleared, additional defects may become apparent which could not reasonably have been identified beforehand, including cracked pipes, displaced joints, root ingress, collapsed sections, poor falls, redundant connections, scale, damaged chambers or further blockages. Additional investigation or repair will be chargeable.
9. SEQUENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Drainage faults can sometimes only be identified in stages. Clearing one blockage may allow access to a further obstruction or reveal a damaged section of drain. Where WDI Group reasonably completes one stage of diagnosis or clearance and further problems subsequently become apparent, additional investigation and remedial work will be chargeable. Discovery of another problem does not, by itself, mean original diagnosis or work was incorrect.
10. FOREIGN OBJECTS
WDI Group cannot guarantee foreign objects can be removed without further access or dismantling. Objects may become lodged within pipework or drainage systems and may require removal of sanitaryware, traps, pipework, excavation or other intrusive work. Additional work will be chargeable.
11. WIPES, GREASE & MISUSE
Where a blockage is caused by wipes, sanitary products, excessive paper, fat, oil, grease, food waste, building materials, foreign objects or other unsuitable material entering the drainage system, clearance will be chargeable. Client is responsible for appropriate future use of drainage system.
12. ROOT INGRESS
Tree and plant roots may enter drains through defective joints, cracks or damaged pipework. Root cutting or removal may restore temporary or improved flow but does not repair the opening through which roots entered. Roots may regrow unless underlying defect is repaired. Future root-related blockages are not covered by WDI Group's workmanship warranty unless resulting directly from a defective repair undertaken by WDI Group.
13. SCALE & DEPOSITS
Drainage systems can contain significant scale, concrete, grout, deposits or other hardened material. WDI Group cannot guarantee every deposit can be removed without risk of damage to existing pipework. Where additional specialist cleaning or replacement becomes necessary, this will be chargeable.
14. CCTV DRAIN SURVEYS
Where CCTV inspection is undertaken, survey relates only to areas reasonably accessible to camera at the time. Inspection may be restricted by standing water, remaining debris, sharp bends, inaccessible chambers, pipe diameter, severe displacement, collapsed pipework, obstructions or limitations of available access. A CCTV survey cannot guarantee identification of every defect within inaccessible or obscured sections of drainage.
15. CCTV FOLLOWING CLEARANCE
Where CCTV survey is required to investigate cause of blockage, it may be necessary to clear or clean drain sufficiently before useful camera inspection can take place. Drain clearance and CCTV inspection may therefore be separately chargeable unless expressly included within an agreed package.
16. CCTV FINDINGS
CCTV findings represent visible condition of inspected drainage at time of survey. Where recommendations are made from CCTV footage, they are based upon conditions reasonably visible during that inspection. Hidden defects outside surveyed section or concealed behind deposits cannot be ruled out.
17. ACCESS POINTS
Drainage work depends upon reasonable access to suitable manholes, inspection chambers, rodding points, waste pipes or other access points. Where existing access is inadequate, seized, buried, inaccessible or unsuitable, additional work may be required to create or expose an appropriate access point. Such work will be chargeable unless specifically included.
18. MANHOLE & INSPECTION CHAMBER COVERS
Existing covers and frames may be seized, corroded, damaged or difficult to remove. WDI Group will exercise reasonable care when opening them. Where an existing cover or frame fails because of pre-existing deterioration, replacement will be chargeable.
19. DRAIN ROUTES
Drain routes are not always accurately documented. WDI Group cannot guarantee exact route, depth, ownership or connection point of concealed drainage without appropriate investigation. Additional tracing, CCTV work, excavation or investigation will be chargeable where required.
20. SHARED DRAINS & SEWERS
Drainage systems may connect to shared private drains, public sewers or infrastructure outside Client's ownership or responsibility. Where a defect or blockage is identified outside Client's responsibility, WDI Group may recommend Client contacts appropriate water company, sewerage undertaker, landlord, freeholder, managing agent or other responsible party. WDI Group cannot guarantee another organisation will accept responsibility for issue.
21. EXCAVATION
Excavation is included only where expressly stated within quotation. Location of buried drains, services, foundations and other underground structures may not be fully known beforehand. Where excavation exposes unexpected conditions, additional work may be required and will be chargeable.
22. BURIED SERVICES
WDI Group will exercise reasonable care when excavating or undertaking intrusive drainage work. Client should disclose any known private or unusual underground services. Where unidentified or incorrectly documented services affect proposed work, additional investigation or alteration may be necessary.
23. DRAIN REPAIRS
Where WDI Group undertakes a permanent drain repair, workmanship warranty applies to specific repair carried out by WDI Group and not to unrelated existing sections of drainage system. Failure of another section of existing drainage does not, by itself, indicate failure of WDI Group's repair.
24. PATCH REPAIRS & LINING
Where patch lining or other trenchless repair is proposed, suitability depends upon condition, dimensions and accessibility of existing drain. Further cleaning or investigation may be necessary before suitability can be confirmed. Where drain is found unsuitable for proposed repair method, an alternative repair may be required.
25. EXISTING PIPE CONDITION
Old drainage systems may contain pitch fibre, clay, cast iron, concrete, plastic or other materials in varying conditions. Age, deterioration, corrosion, deformation, previous repairs and ground movement can affect integrity. WDI Group does not guarantee remaining life of existing drainage not replaced by us.
26. INTERNAL WASTE PIPEWORK
Where a blockage involves internal waste pipework, access may require traps, fittings, sanitaryware, boxing or other components to be removed. Existing fittings may be brittle, corroded or deteriorated. Where an existing component fails during reasonable dismantling because of pre-existing deterioration, replacement will be chargeable.
27. SANITARYWARE
Where toilets, basins or other sanitaryware need to be removed to access drainage, removal and reinstatement are included only where specifically agreed. Existing sanitaryware can crack or fail because of age, previous installation methods or deterioration. WDI Group will exercise reasonable care when removing reusable items but cannot guarantee every existing item can be successfully removed and reused.
28. WATER ESCAPE & CONTAMINATION
Blocked drains and waste systems can contain contaminated water and sewage under pressure. Reasonable precautions will be taken to control escape during drainage work, but some release of existing trapped wastewater may be unavoidable when opening a blocked system. WDI Group will take reasonable care to minimise unnecessary contamination.
29. PRE-EXISTING WATER DAMAGE
WDI Group is not responsible for damage caused by wastewater, sewage or leakage which occurred before our attendance or resulted from original blockage or drainage defect. Where cleaning, drying, sanitisation or repair of pre-existing damage is required, this is additional work unless expressly included.
30. PUMPS & PUMPED DRAINAGE
Where drainage relies upon a macerator, sewage pump, condensate pump or other mechanical equipment, blockage clearance does not guarantee pump or equipment itself is serviceable. Where additional electrical or mechanical diagnosis or repair is required, this will be chargeable.
31. WEATHER & FLOODING
Drainage performance may be affected by heavy rainfall, flooding, groundwater, overwhelmed public sewers or other conditions outside WDI Group's control. WDI Group cannot guarantee local drainage will accommodate rainfall or flows beyond its design capacity.
32. ODOURS
Drain odours can result from multiple causes including defective traps, venting, leaks, damaged drains, unused outlets, deposits or external sewer conditions. Cleaning or unblocking does not guarantee elimination of all odours unless underlying cause is identified and corrected. Further investigation may be chargeable.
33. CLIENT-SUPPLIED INFORMATION
Client should provide any available information about previous blockages, repairs, known drain routes, CCTV surveys or other relevant drainage history. WDI Group is entitled to rely upon information reasonably provided by Client but cannot be responsible for inaccuracies in information supplied by others.
34. THIRD-PARTY WORK
WDI Group is not responsible for drainage work undertaken by another contractor, water company or person. Where third-party work damages, alters or interferes with WDI Group's repair, subsequent investigation and remedial work will be chargeable.
35. NO GUARANTEE OF CLEARANCE
Some blockages cannot safely or reasonably be cleared using standard rodding or jetting. Where WDI Group has made a reasonable attempt using agreed method but obstruction cannot be cleared, further work may require specialist equipment, CCTV inspection, excavation or replacement. Original attendance and work undertaken remain chargeable, subject to WDI Group having exercised reasonable care and skill.
36. ABORTED OR RESTRICTED ATTENDANCE
Where work cannot proceed because suitable access is unavailable, chambers cannot be located, Client cannot provide necessary access, unsafe conditions exist or another circumstance outside WDI Group's reasonable control prevents work, attendance and work already undertaken may remain chargeable.
37. WASTE & DEBRIS
Removal of ordinary debris generated directly by agreed drainage works is included only where stated. Removal of large quantities of contaminated waste, soil, concrete, roots, grease, hazardous materials or unrelated waste may be additionally chargeable.
38. WDI GROUP WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY
Unless expressly stated otherwise, WDI Group provides a 12-month workmanship warranty on drainage repair work undertaken by WDI Group. For avoidance of doubt, unblocking, rodding, jetting or drain cleaning does not carry a 12-month guarantee against drain becoming blocked again. Workmanship warranty covers defects arising directly from a permanent repair undertaken by WDI Group. It does not cover recurrence of a blockage where underlying cause remains, misuse or foreign objects entering drainage, wipes/grease/sanitary products/unsuitable waste, root ingress through existing defects not repaired by WDI Group, defects in sections not repaired by WDI Group, ground movement, structural failure of existing drains, public or shared sewer problems, flooding or overloaded sewers, normal deterioration, Client-supplied products or subsequent alteration/interference by another person. Where a reported warranty issue is investigated and found not to result from WDI Group's workmanship, attendance and diagnostic work will be chargeable. Nothing within these terms affects the Client's statutory rights.
39. OPPORTUNITY TO REMEDY
Where Client believes a drainage repair undertaken by WDI Group is defective, Client should notify WDI Group and provide us with a reasonable opportunity to inspect and, where appropriate, remedy alleged defect. Except in a genuine emergency or where otherwise required by law, Client should not instruct another contractor to undertake remedial work at WDI Group's cost without first giving WDI Group a reasonable opportunity to investigate.
40. PAYMENT
Payment is due in accordance with quotation, booking or agreed terms. Where work is undertaken on a call-out or time-and-materials basis, charges are payable for attendance, labour, equipment and materials used. Charge remains payable where a blockage cannot be fully cleared, an underlying defect is discovered, CCTV or further investigation is recommended, excavation or repair is subsequently required, or Client chooses not to proceed with recommended additional works, provided WDI Group has undertaken agreed service with reasonable care and skill.
41. ACCEPTANCE
By accepting a drainage quotation, booking a drainage attendance or instructing WDI Group to proceed, Client confirms acceptance of agreed drainage scope and charges, WDI Group's Standard Quotation Terms & Conditions, these Drainage, Unblocking & Drain Investigation Terms & Conditions, WDI Group's Plumbing Terms & Conditions where applicable, WDI Group's Repairs, Call-outs & Fault Finding Terms & Conditions where applicable, and any project-specific conditions contained within quotation. Client acknowledges clearing a blockage does not guarantee structural condition of drainage system or prevent future blockages where an underlying defect or cause remains. Nothing within these terms affects the Client's statutory rights.