CASE STUDIES
Roof Drainage
August 2022
During the flash flooding over the summer, our Reactive Team were busy attending to onsite emergencies.
The unexpected heavy downpours and thunderstorms after such a long dry spell meant that some site’s drainage systems had got blocked with debris which disrupted water flows and reduced capacity.
Our drainage team attended a client site for reactive emergency works. The drainage on the roof had been blocked, which meant the water was building up on the roof.
Our team of engineers were able to clear the blockage quickly and efficiently using the professional equipment our engineers carry in their vans to ensure a first-time fix where possible.
Our Drainage Supervisor says “Clean roof drains are important for keeping water from backing up on the roof which could lead to damaging leakage. On this occasion, we were able to clear the problem before too much damage was caused.”
Main stack descaling works
July 2022
As part of a planned preventative maintenance contract, our drainage team carry out descaling works. Drain descaling can lengthen the life span of your existing drainage infrastructure, removing build-up, debris, and rust from drainpipes.
On this occasion, it was the first time the main stack descaling works had been carried out. On attending site, our engineer could not find access to the stack as there was plasterboard covering it. Rather than abort the work, the engineer cut out a panel in the plasterboard and once located, cut a diamond core hole into the stack in 3 locations.
Pre-works CCTV footage of the stack showed very heavy scale and the stack pipe bore was reduced by as much as 40%. To overcome this, we used professional milling equipment, which was set up to make several passes through each section between the access points that had been made.
On the completion of the PPM works the stack was back to 95% full bore capabilities and the plasterboard was discreetly fixed back in place.
Regular maintenance is essential to keeping your main stacks clean and at full bore capabilities.
Urinal Descaling following PPM
February 2023
Regular maintenance means equipment can be kept in peak condition, especially in an instance when the facilities are for public use. At one of our client sites, the urinal descale was carried out following our scheduled maintenance visit when the team raised the need for further.
To descale urinals in communal areas, all pipework must be localised before the cleaning can commence. The technology used for the cleaning was by means of cordless electro-rotary equipment. This enabled the team to avoid using power, and trailing leads which could have caused a trip hazard and the communal areas did not need to be shut off.
Vigorous flush testing was carried out to check for any leaks and ensure 100% full bore flowing capabilities. Once this was achieved the toilets were fit for use by the tenants with minimal disruption to the communal area within the building.
Rainwater Stack Replacement
March 2023
Our Drainage team are focused on finding the best solution for our clients with customer service at the forefront of what we do.
A callout was raised by one of our clients due to a leak.
At the point of inception, we found a faulty section of pipe, on a cast 4” rainwater vertical stack within a basement plant room.
Rather than replace the whole piece it was more cost-effective and less invasive to cut out the damaged section using non-spark cutting tools. This avoided networks and isolation within the system which could have been quite disruptive.
The team fitted a new section of the pipe, rectifying the leak quickly before any further damage was caused.
Failed Rainwater Pit Pump
May 2023
Our Drainage Team recently attended an incident involving a second-floor basement rainwater pump pit.
On inspection, it was discovered that the drainage system had experienced a backlog, resulting in the accumulation of approximately 2000 gallons of clean water in the pump pit. This excess water needed to be removed to expose the failed pumps and assess their condition accurately. Unfortunately, the presence of concrete added unexpected complications and a thorough re-evaluation and adjustment of the approach allowed for a more effective resolution of the issue.
The complications emphasise the significance of regular pump chamber inspections to ensure the system's optimal performance. Our drainage team’s adaptability in maintenance approaches ensured effective problem-solving and a swift turnaround to get the system back up and running efficiently.
Drainage Basement Waste Stack Repairs
June 2023
Our drainage team visited a client site in response to a complaint about a foul odour. The bad smell was coming from the commercial basement office.
Upon inspection, we discovered an open pipe that seemed to have been installed and disconnected by previous contractors. It has been left disconnected, creating an unsealed opening for drainage, as shown in the attached photos. To address the issue, the team removed the defective portion of the pipe and replaced it with a new section, carefully installing coupling fittings to ensure a watertight seal. This will prevent any future leaks and effectively restore the integrity of the basement waste stack system.
The repairs were successful, and the odorous issue was resolved quickly and efficiently. The basement office is now free from the unpleasant smell, providing a more comfortable and hygienic working environment for the occupants.
