SEWERAGE systems are designed for the safe and effective disposal of waste water from society. These can be either via a Council Sewerage System or via a Private Sewerage Treatment Plant.

In either system, they are primarily designed to convey sewerage waste water from point of use to the treatment site and includes the drainage systems employed to transport the waste water.

The treament process is designed to enable the treated water to be  re-introduced back into our Environment.

Typically speaking in an area that has a reticulated sewerage system provided by the Local Council, the private House Drain consists mainly of a system of drains designed to remove waste water from the Private Property to the Council Sewer.

It is a property owner's responsibility to maintain their Private House Drain in a manner that allows this process to work effectively.

Issues that can reduce the effectiveness of these drains are;

• OLD PERISHED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
  
  
• POORLY MAINTAINED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
  
  
• Drains affected by GROUND MOVEMENT
  
  
• Drains damaged by OTHER CAUSES
  

OLD PERISHED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS usually consist of old earthenware (clay) pipes. These pipe due to their age and their installation process will usually leak on every pipe joint either as a result of cracks due to ground movement or due to perished rubber seals in the joints.

Tree roots usually enter the pipes through these points and in time will cause additional damage as a result of the growth of the root system.

POORLY MAINTAINED drainage systems such as the earthenware pipes mentioned above allow untreated sewerage waste water to enter into our Environment. The continual growth of roots into these drains will cause additional damage.

There are many methods to repair these problem areas. Our opinion is that the most effective method is the complete replacement of these pipes with another material. Currently the use of UPVC is the most preferred system of pipes and fitings for the replacement of earthenware drains.

As with any drainage system and materials used, there are some limits to their use. However, provided these systems are installed and used according to manufacturers specifications they will provide a long service life.

Additional components are being continuosly developed to deal with various issues that arise within any system.

GROUND MOVEMENT, that has probably to some degree been caused by the Drought conditions we are experiencing, has in recent times caused a dramatic increase damage to drainage systems.

New drainage systems are therefore usually designed with more flexibility to allow for movement of the drainage systems within the ground to minimise the impact of this movement.

We cannot stop the effects completely, however we can dramatically reduce their effects by utilitising these components.

OTHER CAUSES of damage to drainage is usually as a direct result of physical damage to these drains.

Examples of this may be drainage laid without proper bedding material surrounding the pipes for protection;

Excavation works near drains that end up damaging or completely destroying them.

This quite commonly occurs when swimming pools are being installed, earthworks for driveways, home extensions, installing retaining walls, planting trees/plants.

The list can go on, however the point we wish to make is that before carrying out ANY of these type of activities it is in your best interest as the property owner to obtain a copy of the   "AS CONSTRUCTED" House Drainage Plans from your Local Council.

You will have to pay a small Fee, however it could save you the headache of having to repair damage to your House Drainage systems.

In the event that any damage occurs to your drainage system from one or more of the Factors mentioned above, we have the Professional experience to effectively implement a solution that best suits your requirements.

For further details on how we may be able to assist with your SEWERAGE requirements please contact our Office via email or during Business Hours by telephone .