Simple Plumbing Advice

frostman on 07/01/2018 - 20:35

Hey guys,

I have a drain pipe on my apartment balcony which is blocked by concrete somewhere in the lower level.
As a result anyone above me that washes their balcony (or it rains) essentially means the water will go down to Level X and the go back up through my drain as the next exit point.

Given the plumber came out and advised its too costly to repair as the drain pipe runs through the columns, I am thinking of just blocking my drain with some Rubber or similar material. I don't want something permanent (like concrete) in case STRATA don't approve and then I have to fork out the costs to break it. I need something that is able to withstand water pressure, but can remove it anytime I want. What do you suggest????

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f22/elkassro/20180103_2018…

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Euphemistic on 07/01/2018 - 20:43
    +7

    Sounds like a strata job to me, not diy.

  • Herodotus on 07/01/2018 - 20:44

    Condom?

    • mrwoo on 07/01/2018 - 20:55
      +3

      Know any good freebies?

  • JIMB0 on 07/01/2018 - 21:07

    An inflatable ball.

  • wei13 on 07/01/2018 - 21:12
    +2

    Can you ask Strata to actually fix the blockage down below?

    • frostman on 08/01/2018 - 12:42

      I did, STRATA advised the owners corp that it will be very costly to cut at the balcony column to fix the pipe inside whilst they use support levers. Most of the owners thought it's too costly and may even need structural engineers to endorse it

  • aussieprepper on 07/01/2018 - 21:19

    A few things could be used depending on if you have to remove a grate (Cover)?.

    You can get a drainage cap?
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-40mm-pvc-dwv-push-on-cap_…

    Expanding foam? Should be easier to remove compared to concrete. It can be picked of but its a pain but doable use a drill.
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/filler-expanding-foam-500ml-boom…

    Tarp would be the easiest and easiest to remove this would not stop the water from exiting.

    • frostman on 08/01/2018 - 12:41

      Thank you, I didn't know drainage caps existed!
      OMW to Bunnings,

      • jellykingdom on 10/01/2018 - 16:04

        Don't forget the PVC glue! Otherwise the cap will just leak

        You should be able to still crack it open with a pipe wrench, but potentially put a piece (hex coupling kind of thing?) in so that you can do this easily. As in stick a coupling onto the little existing stub piece, then another short bit of PVC, THEN the drainage cap

  • smuggler on 07/01/2018 - 21:44
    +1

    How do i fix a leaking shower tap? xD

  • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2018 - 21:51
    +2

    http://www.hbfuller.com.au/products/accessories/273125101.ht…

    Then get the plumber to use his eel to wash it out.

    But this is actually a strata issue, as mentioned before.

    • frostman on 09/01/2018 - 14:25

      Hmmm mad idea! let me email the plumber with this. +1

      He previously told me Hydrochloric acid may work, but it's illegal so that was thrown out

      • Slippery Fish on 09/01/2018 - 14:29
        +1

        This was my idea lol

      • whooah1979 on 09/01/2018 - 15:28

        Hydrochloric acid may work, but it's illegal

        interesting. do you have a link?

  • BertieBrown on 07/01/2018 - 22:04
    +1

    My initial thought is that the plumber just isn’t interested in the work. Surely there’d be an option to re-run the pipe externally or something?

    • frostman on 08/01/2018 - 12:41

      The plumber is keen, however as the pipe runs through the column and it's broken/full with concrete below, he said the only way is to break the supporting column and use balcony support levers to fix it. Most of the owners in this building don't think it's feasible.
      Yes the other option is to re-route pipes externally however we have to get Council approval as it changes the design of the building

      • Euphemistic on 08/01/2018 - 19:18
        +1

        So get strata to get it sorted to re-route. Tell them it isn’t acceptable to be flooding your balcony just because they think it’s ‘too hard’

        • frostman on 09/01/2018 - 14:24

          Yes, I have emailed them today about it.
          They said then all 7 levels will need to have pipes re-routed as it doesnt sit will to only have pipes from 1 level routed.

  • DarkOz on 09/01/2018 - 12:57

    It's most likely a strata job unless you are the one who caused the damage in which it's still a strata job but they claim you for it. How much it costs should be irrelevant to you, it's not your problem although you share the cost of the repair.

    If the repair is too expensive the building manager should get a quote for a reroute of the pipes and this includes council approval.

    Lastly if they decide not to repair it at all and you are happy with it the least you can do is get the strata to block the drain permanently. I would also demand the strata to water proof the areas in your balcony so any excess water build up won't damage your property.

    • frostman on 09/01/2018 - 14:23

      I agree with most of your points, you've covered the issue well:

      It's most likely a strata job unless you are the one who caused the damage in which it's still a strata job but they claim you for it. How much it costs should be irrelevant to you, it's not your problem although you share the cost of the repair.

      Well the cost should be relevant to me as ultimately, if it's going to cost 100K all the owners (including me) will fork out the costs via the current Sinking Fund + an extra levy

      If the repair is too expensive the building manager should get a quote for a reroute of the pipes and this includes council approval.

      Yes I asked them to do that, Strata said they need council approval. Plus it will still be a big job (albeit less risky than chipping at supporting columns) as they need to re-route pipes externally to 7 levels.

      Lastly if they decide not to repair it at all and you are happy with it the least you can do is get the strata to block the drain permanently

      Yes I requested this as a plan B as the most cheapest. However I will be slightly disadvantaged as I will never be able to 'wash' my balcony given it will just flow down to the bottom 3 levels including the terrace which someone owns.

  • DarkOz on 09/01/2018 - 15:21

    How long has this been going on? It seems to me that you have a very lazy or incompetent building manager and/or Strata. The fact that they haven't come up with a quote for neither a full repair or a re-route said it all. The quotes should be free without obligations.

    It's a very simple process really:
    - Get the quotes.
    - The ECM approves the repair and it looks like re-routing is the way to go.
    - Submit the DA.
    - Do the repairs.

    • frostman on 09/01/2018 - 16:56

      OK long story….

      Building has 55 units, 25 are sold and owned by people like me, and 30 owned by the builder still.
      This issue has been ongoing since 20110. I didnt own the unit then, and previous owners didn't see it as a big deal to have people's dirty water sprout back up through their balcony drain. It didnt help that they barely lived in it either and actually lived overseas without renting it!

      Meanwhile, we've changed STRATA 4 times in 7 years, each time we ask them to contact the builder as it's a building defect they seem scared to go down the path and just dilly dally.

      • DarkOz on 09/01/2018 - 18:45

        I am not surprised by this at all and now I understand why you have to go through this. By the look of it I get the impression that the managing company is related to the builder only under another company name. Also the builder has the controlling shares so they would be least interested to do a major repair in which it doesn't really affect them but they have to pay for the majority of the repair cost. Not to mention that this is a defect rectification which should be free.

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