SA Affordable Housing January - February 2019 // Issue: 74 | Page 19

FEATURES
Cutting costs on plumbing
may cost you more
It can be tempting for developers to cut back on the products used for
plumbing in an affordable home but industry experts warn it can be
disastrous and end up costing much more in the long run.
By Warren Robertson
Often costs savings may come from simple common sense adjustments that can be overlooked in the grand scheme of
planning a development.
O
ne plumbing product looks like another and it all
seems easy enough to install yourself – or is it?
Quality plumbing is one of the main factors
considered by government when agreeing to support
developers in the affordable housing sector. The right of
access to basic water supply and sanitation is detailed in
the Water Services Act (108 of 1997), which also provides
for the setting of national standards and norms and
standards for tariffs.
“To install quality and long-lasting plumbing and
sanitation, quality products need to be considered,”
explains the Department of Water and Sanitation director:
media liaison and content development, Ratau Sputnik.
“Installation of quality products and the work of
qualified artisans and plumbers enhance the quality of life
of the end users. This is an obvious benefit not just for the
good health of the homeowner, but also ensures longevity
of the infrastructure where it is installed.”
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
General manager of Calafrica Chris Kyle explains that the
need for good quality plumbing supplies is mandatory even
in lower cost developments, and that the risks of using
non-compliant plumbing parts means that residents (and
often rental companies) are liable for any repairs.
“The use of compliant materials and the fit-for-purpose
materials cannot be overemphasised. Too often
substandard non-compliant materials are specified and
installed with dire consequences and high mechanical
failure rates shortly after completion of the project,” he
explains, adding that, “It should be strongly noted that, in
order to meet compliance, only materials meeting the
requirements of the applicable SABS standards as a
minimum standard will be acceptable. Anything less, or the
incorrect application of even compliant materials, will not
be satisfactory to meet auditory requirements and will
have to be removed and replaced with compliant materials
before a valid Certificate of Compliance (COC) can be
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2019
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