BURST PIPE RESULTANT DAMAGES CLAIM

ASSESSMENT

Black Bird Construction was contacted by the client’s insurance company to assess and conduct repair work. An assessment took place at the client’s property in Durbanville, where various items were inspected and a quotation was then generated and accepted by the insurer and client. Below is a breakdown of what transpired during the claim and excerpts of the assessor’s findings have been included as a means to explain the various building work required to repair the damages. The scope of work has also been included along with photos of the damages before and after the repairs were completed. We hope you enjoy the post and if you would like to learn more about Black Bird Construction please feel free to contact us.

REPORT

Leak Detection Report: Our leak detection specialist was called in to conduct tests at the affected property. Our technician attended to the above-mentioned property on the 30th of August 2021 to conduct a leak detection test. After extensive gas and pressure tests were conducted, the technician was able to trace and locate a burst on the main water supply pipeline positioned under the concrete driveway, between the first garden tap and the manhole. As per the video provided one can see that the gas is pushing up through the sewer pipe, suggesting that the main supply line is running alongside the sewer pipe. This means that the main supply line is deep below the ground. As the main supply is deep, the repairs proved to be difficult and time consuming.

Damages | Plumbing Repairs | Site Report: Due to the nature of the damages and the burst, as well as increased pressure from the client, we instructed our plumbing team to begin immediately with the repair works. Our plumbing team attended to the burst and created an access point to the burst pipe. Whilst carrying out the necessary repairs as per the team’s findings during the leak detection test, our technician found that the main water supply pipe was running in a very unusual manor. Our plumbing team found the supply line running from the water meter to under the house and then diverting back to the driveway and thereafter running back under the house to the garden tap positioned in the back yard. When the leak detection testing was done, gas was found to be emanating through the sewer line as well as the driveway. When opening the indicated area, the supply was found to run under the residence. To avoid opening and demolishing the driveway further, and possibly causing major structural damage, the main water supply was re-routed from the water meter to the supply which was exposed in the driveway and to the front guest bathroom (surface-mounted). The new supply was connected to the PRV in the flower box and surface to the basin and toilet. As the client’s water bill was over R50000.00 this had to be done as an emergency as the client’s water supply had to be turned off. The scope of work conducted at the affected property included the following:

Running of new main supply connecting to all points.
Recasting of the concrete on the driveway.
Reinstating of the paving.

Resultant Damages:

After allowing the plumbing work to run for over a month, we can confidently state that the new supply line has been installed successfully. We have been back to assess the plumbing works and have checked the meter with no identifiable issues arising.
After our assessment of the resultant damages at the property we have compiled a final breakdown of the required repairs needed at the property. The below SOW highlights the various work needed at the property, as well as the repairs that have already been completed.
Various notes have been included in the SOW as reference to certain issues that were identified in regard to each operation.

SCOPE OF WORKS

BELOW IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE REPAIR WORK CONDUCTED TO THE RESULTANT DAMAGES AT THE AFFECTED PROPERTY:

Demolishing work:

Create multiple access points to affected pipe through paved areas and concrete slab.
Dig trenches for pipe installation.
Cart rubble to collection point.

Plumbing repairs:

Quote to repair the burst on the main water supply pipe in the driveway under the concrete slab.
Supply all required materials and labour.
Run new supply pipeline and bypass existing supply line.
NOTE: Exposed areas were closed on completion of the repairs to the plumbing work.

Paving | Concrete work | Patchwork:

All patching work and concrete repairs were conducted on the day the plumbing repairs were completed.
These repairs had to be completed as the client’s home could not be left in the state it was when the repairs were finalized.

Brick paving:

Lift existing pavers.
Supply and fill paved driveway with clean sand to correct height – this in order to create a good fall for the water run-off.
Compact sand thoroughly to create a solid base for paving installation work.
Expose additional area in order to compact affected surface, as well as to place down underlay.
Re-fit pavers and pre-cast/concrete edging as per the existing design and layout.
Clients’ pavers to be re-used.
Finalize all paver installation works and grout the paving thereafter.
Clean and clear area thoroughly of all rubble and debris.

Concrete slab repairs: