Couple disgusted as sewage floods into their new home
A FAMILY living on the new Boulton Moor development in Derby have complained of raw sewage flooding into their home.
Trisha Fearn, 40, and partner Sian, 30, first moved into their Persimmon house in March this year and immediately suffered problems with their drainage.
The mother, who is currently on maternity leave, complained to Persimmon Homes, but had to wait a week for them to resolve the issue.
Since then, the problems in their home have only worsened.
Trisha said: “We complained about sewage problems again on September 9, and were told someone would come and check the blockage, but they did not.
“When the emergency contractor came out, he said the blockage appeared to be baby wipes, which could be anyone on the street due to our drainage line.
“He remembered visiting us when we first moved in about this problem and he too could not understand why he had not been contacted to clear the blockage when it was reported.
“He’s on site every day and this would have very likely stopped the raw sewage flowing through our house.”
Trisha and Sian, who have two young children, immediately became concerned after sewage and dirty water began spilling out of their downstairs toilet. They attempted to stop the flood of excrement from spreading by using towels, but were unable to prevent it from flooding into their hallway and kitchen. Trisha added: “Our children were coming down from their bath when my partner saw it seeping into the hallway, the kitchen, the front room and on the stairs carpet.
“We immediately tried to stop the flood of excrement with all our bath towels.
“Our Children were crying and upset because they didn’t understand why they couldn’t come downstairs and they had to be evacuated to their grandparents immediately because of bacteria.
“I was physically sick down myself trying to stop the flow through the house.
“Our children had to leave the house for three days after staying with family whilst we tried to sort the house.”
Trisha claims that she complained to Persimmon homes about the mess, who conducted a deep clean as a gesture of goodwill, but she says this was unsatisfactory as faeces still remained on the floor.
She claims that the company has offered to replace the flooring in her bathroom, but no other flooring in her house, despite it being “faecessoaked”.
“I’m absolutely exhausted by the worry for our children, let alone the fact that you don’t expect to have to manage in unsanitary conditions when buying a new-build property,” Trisha said.
“Both kids were covered in a rash days after, I could not eat in the house because I felt so disgusted by the smell.
“I have had to personally clean the floors, walls and skirting boards with alcohol fluid but as best as we have tried, it is still vile now.”
A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said: “We always aim to address our customers’ concerns in a timely manner.
“Contractors have visited the property of the customer to find there was no problem with the street’s drainage. The toilet blockage was caused by baby wipes and a large amount of tissue.
“We are also satisfied that no drainage from other houses has entered the customer’s premises as the drainage run on the street was clear.
“We will continue to liaise with the customer and we are committed to resolving any outstanding issues.”
I was physically sick down myself trying to stop the flow through the house.
Trisha Fearn