46
PROJECT
Motus Group gets their
downpipes relined
As a result of leaking downpipes, the building structure was
experiencing continual water damage that needed urgent
attention.
Edited by Benjamin Brits
Initially, a CCTV camera inspection was requested on all the
building’s downpipes, as the customer was continuously
experiencing costly damage every time it rained. Typically,
as with many other circumstances, it is often not possible to
replace pipes, and retrofit installation may not be practical
or is a costly solution.
The inspection revealed that the downpipes, which are built into
the walls, were dilapidated and that one downpipe was completely
blocked. Water could not possibly drain from the pipe at all.
Another downpipe had a displaced joint with a large gap the entire
way around the pipe. The stormwater was essentially running
into the brick wall and had already eroded a significant cavity,
so, every time it rained, water would enter through the brick wall
below the downpipe outlet.
The blocked pipe had a piece of wood lodged in it as well as a
two-metre length of conduit. How these got there, no one can
say, but it would be a good choice for our Wall of Shame. No one
should underestimate the unintentional damage that can occur
with situations such as these. A two-metre piece of anything
doesn’t land up in a downpipe by accident, nor a piece of wood
that can block an entire pipe.
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April 2019 Volume 25 I Number 2
1. CCTV inspection equipment is vital for the pipe relining
process and is the team’s ‘eyes’ in the pipe, ensuring that
the correct decisions are made.
2. Inserting the line into the bottom of the pipe where it will
be pulled into position by another technician though the
fullbore on the roof of the building.
3. The technician pressure testing the liner prior to wet-out.
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