Maintenance: Plumbing – Drains
In this chapter we explain plumbing terms in relation to drains, along with problems commonly encountered. We also look at preventative maintenance.
Legislation – Strata Titles Act
Click on Legislation above, to view strata title legislation and hints.
Legislation – Community Titles Act
Click on Legislation above, to view strata title legislation and hints.
What does this mean?
Services that do not serve a single unit or lot, are the Corporation’s common property, this includes the sewerage disposal.
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The pipes shown in yellow are the owner’s to maintain. Unit 4 has a sewer vent pipe that serves the common sewer. This means that the branch serving unit 4 is common; unlike those which serve units 1 to 3. |
Plumbing consists of two distinct systems: supply,(bringing fresh water in) and drainage, (taking wastewater out). The pipes in black are drains. The vent pipes allow the drains to breathe consequently preventing siphoning of trap water, such as in toilets. If not vented then sewer smells will enter the unit.
The diagram below shows a domestic sewer and connection to street.
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The picture below shows a sewer stack on the outside of a three storey group of units. The stack branches to serve each unit, and passes through the roof to vent the sewer.
The picture below is of a sewer inspection cover commonly used about units. This is a new cover where the plumber has raised an inspection point to enable cleaning of the common sewer.
Common Problems
- Gurgling toilet – this can be the result of a blocked sewer. This is often caused by tree roots but can be the result of objects accidentally or deliberately put in the sewer.
- Old earthenware sewerage pipe collapses – the pipe work often needs replacing with PVC. Sometimes, this can be undertaken in sections rather than replacing the entire sewer.
- Blocked trap under sink.
The following picture shows a licensed plumber using a drain cleaning machine to clear a blocked sewer. This is a common method for clearing sewers however high-pressure water cleaning can be useful in some cases.
Sewerage pipe video inspection
Persistent sewerage pipe blockages can warrant a video inspection of the sewer system. The following is an example of a video inspection of a sewerage pipe suffering from tree root infiltration.
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This video may be useful in understanding some of the problems related to tree roots in sewers & stormwater drains. The camera inspections can cost around $400 and are worthwhile when the cause of blockages is difficult to treat or pin down. |
Video camera inspections can pinpoint problems like these:
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Preventative maintenance
Old sewerage pipes that are subject to tree root infiltration
- 6 monthly sewer clean
- flooding sewer with copper sulphate
Talk to your local licenced plumber about the options.
Tools
The following tools may assist in the maintenance of your groups.
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Video – clearing a blocked sink drain |
Sewers & tree plantings |
Strata Titles Act (plan number less than 20,000)
Plumbing & other Services:
Section 5 part 6 of the Strata Titles Act goes on to spell out other structures and services that are the Strata Corporation’s responsibility to maintain. Section 25 explains the Corporations responsibility to maintain the services.
Section 5: Boundaries
(6) The common property comprises:
(b) any pipe, cable, wire, duct or drain that is not for the exclusive use of a unit;
Section 25. The functions of the strata corporation are as follows:
(a) to administer and maintain the common property for the benefit of the unit holders and, to such extent as may be appropriate, other members of the strata community; and
(b) to administer all other property of the corporation
What does this mean?
Services that do not serve a single unit, are the Corporation’s common property. This includes the common water supply, stormwater drainage and sewerage disposal.
Hint
Ask yourself the question: If the supply or drain was terminated at any point would it effect more than one unit. If so it is common property.
Community Titles Act
Plumbing & other Services:
Section 28 of the Community Titles Act spells out structures and services that are the Community Corporation’s responsibility to maintain. Section 75 explains the Corporation’s responsibility to maintain the services.
Section 28—Common property
(1) The common property created by a community plan comprises:
(b) the service infrastructure (except for any part of the service infrastructure that is vested in a Minister of the Crown or other authority or person and the parts of the service infrastructure that provide a service to only one lot)
Section 75—Functions and powers of corporations
(1) The functions of a corporation are
(a) to administer, manage and control the common property for the benefit of the owners of the community lots; and
(b) to maintain the common property and the property of the corporation in good order and condition
What does this mean?
Services serving more than one lot, are the Corporation’s common property. This includes the common water supply, stormwater drainage and sewerage disposal.
The Corporation is responsible for water pipes and sewers until they only serve a single unit.
Hint
Ask yourself the question: If the supply or drain was terminated at any point would it effect more than one unit. If so it is common property.
