Thrusting, directional drilling, water main leak repairs and replacement

Yes we do it All!

Drainage NZ are setup to replace and repair waters at unbeatable rates! Thrusting and directional drilling services also available.

With the Pohutukawa’s bursting into full flower this past week we know that Summer for 2016/17 has definitely arrived. Don’t be persuaded to think otherwise with the intermittent rain that seems to keep surprising us – all the weather watchers are saying we’re in for a long, hot drawn out summer.

With the dry season upon us, the ground we stand on, build on and otherwise exist on is going to dry out. When the ground dries out the natural consequence is that the ground contracts. When this happens, water mains can burst under the pressure.

A burst in your water mains supply between the street and your meter is the responsibility of the water supply company; but the pipe between the meter and your house is your responsibility.

There are three types of water mains commonly found in New Zealand. Galvanised, Copper and Plastic.

If you have a galvanised water main, this pipe is likely from the 1920’s. Simply due to age these pipes are usually very corroded internally and it is uneconomical to repair these. Replacement is your only option.

If you have a copper water main these are usually easy to locate and able to repaired fairly well without incurring large costs.

If you have a plastic water main, then a number of issues are usually found with these. A lot of early plastic water mains were made from a very hard polyethelene. Polyethelene is susceptible to pin holing or splitting.  This needs to be completely replaced.

Once a pipe is over 30 years old, it will probably leak again

Drainage NZ are setup to replace and repair water mains at unbeatable rates!

Drainlayer $ 75 + GST / HOUR
Truck and Driver $ 90 + GST / HOUR
Drainlayer and Excavator $ 110 + GST / HOUR
Drainlayer Labourer $ 45 + GST / HOUR
Concrete cutting $ 45 / METER

Soil Removal based on local fees

Drainage Fix Pricing:

100mm UPVC FROM $ 55 / meter
100MM SN16 (heavy duty) FROM $ 65 / meter

Drainage NZ also have thrusting and directional drilling services available. Thrusting is used when installing:

  • Water Distribution Piping
  • Fire Protection Lines
  • Sanitary Sewer Piping
  • Storm Sewer Drainage Piping
  • Gas Distribution Piping
  • Landfill Applications
  • Irrigation Applications
  • Electrical/Telecommunications

Using the latest technologies and techniques, we also provide directional drilling. We service jobs big or small for both residential and commercial at competitive rates; telecom and water mains, storm water drains and sewers.

Directional Drilling allows for

  • Less traffic disruption
  • Lower cost (no labour, concrete reinstating etc)
  • Deeper installation possible
  • Long installations possible
  • Quickly completed
  • Safer for the environment

So watch out this summer for any burst mains and if this happens at your home or workplace – keep Drainage NZ in mind. If you have drainage needs right now – give us a call on 0800 DRAINLAYER (0800 372 465) and see what we can do for you!

Our Drainlayers specialise in public drainage

Public drainage includes all works that take place on public stormwater or sewer lines. This will includes repair works and new installations.

In Auckland, city council is responsible for stormwater while Watercare looks after the public sewer network system.

Whether a drainlayer is working on the public stormwater or sewer line, applications to both authorities must be made and approvals obtained before any works may take place.

Some councils such as Manukau city council may also have their set of standards which may defer to the common Auckland city standard. One example of this is the well-known “London junction” which is an approved standard in Manukau.

Whilst a registered drainlayer may do any residential drainage works, special training, experience and registration with Auckland city council and Watercare is required to enable works on the public network.

Drainage NZ have obtained all qualifications and experience to repair or install any size public drainage. Scope of experience and works include:

  • Public sewer line thrusting over 200mm.
  • Road drainage and manhole installation. Up to 1500mm diameter.
  • Sub divisions and rearranging of network layout.
  • Public sewage pumped systems.
  • Public stormwater and grease management.
  • Commercial grade Grease traps.
  • Repair works on large scale public systems.
  • Design and planning of public networks. 

Drainage NZ are able to advise on solutions and provide quotes in a timely manner on any size public drainage work.

Give us a call on 0800 DRAINLAYER for more information.

Here are some images from a recent job on the Northshore showing extensive repair works to existing public manholes. Works included raising levels to accommodate a subdivision and raising of existing ground levels.  

manhole_installation manhole_benching  manhole_repairs  public_drainlayers  9 8-2

NZ’s Wet Season has begun

Is your basement, garage, underground flat and / or storage area ready for the upcoming wet season by being protected against flooding?

Spring has started with a wet bang in New Zealand, especially in Auckland. In 2017 an additional 5% (L/sqm) in rain fall is expected when compared with 2016 stats. Storms are more frequent, heavy and short resulting in “flash floods”.

How does the ground respond to flash floods and what solutions are available?

The earth’s condition prior to rainfall is very important to determine the outcome when a flash storm hits. Has it been raining slowly for a few days prior or was the ground dry?

For example in Auckland many suburbs have been developed on clay (predominantly West Auckland and Northern areas) and still don’t have access to the public storm water system. Such properties rely on the stormwater management system within the boundary which is often in form of a soakhole or if lucky a curb discharge.

Unlike areas such as Mt Wellington or Onehunga that have access to underground volcanic cavities, or the public system, homes that manage their own stormwater rely on soil percolation. In simple terms “how quick can my ground soak the water?” The higher the rate, the higher the soakage reducing risk of flooding.

Lower percolation values are common and when they apply, alternative methods need to be used to manage stormwater. If nothing is done, a high level of surface water will result in flooding and over a longer period of time the ground will be charged with so much water it will expanding to a point where underground streams may result finding the least path of resistance into your basement area if no protection is available.

Site conditions such as the following play a critical role:

  • Level of elevation
  • Ground type
  •  Percolation values (soakage tests can be done)
  • Depth of areas affected
  • Current stormwater management system

In the following pictures (Birkenhead Auckland) you can see some of the processes we use to tackle ground water (not in order of works). Are you affected? Call us for a ground water solution.

digging_for_subsoiltrench_shoring

nova_coil_subsoilgeotech_filterationsubsoil_drainage_basement

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Auckland city council is pushing for more detention tanks

So for starters, what is a retention or a detention tank?

Here is a clear definition from Auckland city council.

Detention tank: Detention tanks work by temporarily storing stormwater runoff during a rainfall event and then slowly releases the water into the public stormwater system. These can be located either above or below ground.

Retention tank (Water Harvesting) : A retention tank is used to permanently hold rainwater, which can then be reused for hose taps, toilet use and laundry purposes. Also known as a single purpose rain tank.

Dual purpose tank: Dual purpose tank both retain and detain rainwater. The bottom third of the tank is used to store rainwater permanently (retains) for non-drinking water supply and the upper two thirds of the tank temporarily holds (detains) rainwater and slowly releases it until it reaches the retaining level.

Water supply rain tank: These tanks store rainwater collected from roof areas and provide the main water supply to a household, this includes drinking water. This practice note does not address potable water supply requirements; for further information refer to Clause G12 of the NZ Building Code, which can be found at www.mbie.govt.nz.

Why are detention tanks desired by Auckland city council?

Auckland is growing! As such, its infrastructure must also grow to keep up with the demand, this includes its public sewer and storm water systems into which all properties discharge. Keeping up with this growth could cost tax payers Billions of dollars.

1000’s of new homes are being built with even more homes being extended adding hundreds of thousands of square meters of roof surface collecting additional rain water.

All this water needs to somehow be managed , if not, our public storm water systems will get overwhelmed affecting our public sewer lines and that is something no one wants for obvious reasons. So Auckland city council have come up with a solution that will slow down this infrastructure growth.

The solution was to simply make the managing of this additional rainwater the homeowners problem by introducing detention tanks. The surface area of the roof will determine the size of the detention tank. Rule of thumb is that 1 square meter or roof surface area will equal to 100 liters of detained water (this can change depending on council or conditions).

Detention tanks are designed to take the first load of rain, then with a controlled outlet slowly release the water back into the public storm water system. The size of the controlled outlet will be specified in your consent application.

The controlled discharge will allow the public storm water system to cope with the initial downpour, at some point the tank may completely fill up because the controlled outlet may not keep up with ongoing downpour. At this point in time the tanks will automatically overflow directly into public system. In theory, this should only happen every 100 years :).

In the images below you can see underground detention tanks have been installed (no pump). Having them underground is a great way to hide them. These specific models are very handy because they are only 1 meter deep allowing us in most cases to find a gravity solution rather than having to use a pump.

Drainage NZ can advise on many variations of retention and detention setups. This includes commercial and residential solutions. Simply give us a call if you have any questions.

My next article will discuss a maintenance schedule council urges home owners should maintain.

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retention_chamber_overflowunder_ground_5000L
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Drain Unblockers or CCTV Experts?

blocked_toiletA blocked drain is the last the last thing you would expect when you are relaxing on the weekend. Suddenly your kitchen sink is not draining, your gully trap is overflowing or even worse your toilet decides to throw up!

This is exactly what happened to Sandy in Remuera Auckland over the long Anzac weekend.

After several calls to several drain unblockers Sandy quickly got confused about what service was required, the cost for that service and whether or not it would solve the issues right away. After 1 hour of talking to multiple drain unblocking service providers, Sandy just about gave up and was more confused than to begin with.

Thankfully she came across Drainage NZ!

After only 15 minutes on the phone with Sandy, we identified the issue by asking a series of simple questions. Experience allows us to ask the right questions, go through a simple process of elimination and pin point the problem and quote the correct cost.

Many companies are understaffed and unwilling to service a “simple” drain unblock at a “simple” cost. Like in Sandy’s they company in question would not come to site unless also  CCTV was booked. Having asked the right questions it was quickly determined that the issue was inside the building envelope and not outside.

After arriving onsite, the problem was resolved with a simple plunge! 3 year old Marty put her teddy down the drain causing the blockage. We were able to get our drain unblocking snake down the toilet and pull the offending Winnie the pooh out hence resolving the issue. You can imagine Sand’s relief!

The cost? A simple minimum weekend charge out rate.
Drainage NZ are available 24/7, call 0800 DRAINLAYER for more information or free quotes.

Stormwater Drainage, Why So Crucial

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Has your property developed a new swimming pool after that last storm or heavy downpour? I wouldn’t try swimming in it though, floodwaters are usually filled with contaminants and pollution from the water picking up things such as trash, oil, fertilisers and what ever else it has swept over before gathering into your new pool.  Just imagine what could be floating around in there contaminating your home and waterways. This is why proper stormwater drainage is crucial to keeping your home and your surrounding environment safe.  If not installed properly it can also become home to mosquitos who will use this wonderful water source as a breeding ground, which is no fun unless you’re a fan of these little bloodsuckers.  A properly installed stormwater drainage system will be strategically placed to ensure your home is drained properly, so you will no longer have unwelcome “swimming pools” coming up on your property every time it rains.

Not having a stormwater drain or having an improper stormwater drainage system that is not operating properly can also cause damage to your house. Water pooling around the base of your house can weaken the structure and shift soil causing cracks in walls and foundations. The shifting foundation can stop doors and windows from sealing properly causing home dampness and mould. We all know a damp house will cause a host of physical illnesses such as respiratory problems. Also you have the cost of running a dehumidifier to try dry your home, heaters to try keep your home warm, the list goes on. So for your health, safety, and your bank account having a stormwater drain installed properly is a must.

In Auckland,  drain layers are required to have additional certifications to work on stormwater systems. Drainage NZ has these certifications along with 20 years experience. Our work is guaranteed. So call us now, we will take care of everything with one call so you don’t have to call around companies for different reasons and for different equipment for different jobs and areas.

Blocked Drains? You Might Need A Repair

Blocked_drains_repairMore often than not, a blocked drain is a simple solution which involves quick unblocking of the drain from debris that got stuck in out. However, sometimes can also be much more complicated.

A CCTV inspection of the drain will quickly reveal if there is damage to the drainage causing the blockage. Damage can be caused by a number of things including tree roots growing into the pipe, damage caused by humans, age, or other external forces.

Should you find your drains damaged, quick repair is crucial. Many times it is possible to repair the drain by doing a relining, without the need for excavation, which is the ideal scenario. In extreme cases, the drain may need to be completely excavated and replaced with new pipes, but this is a rare occurrence.

Drainage NZ can help you with all your drain repair needs. Give us a call on 0800 372 465 today!

ALC Public Stormwater Thrusting and Welding


We sure love the big jobs that involve big machinery! In the above video you can view another successful job done in the Manukau district. This job involved a complicated thrusting of over 40 meters of 225mm HDPE pipe which is to be used as extension of the existing Manukau district Stormwater network. Specifically installed to accommodate a new subdivision in the area.  In the video you can watch how this pipe was directional drilled (under existing services) under several properties and new manholes installed. You can also see how technology helps reduce time and effort as a specialized welding machine is used to connect several lengths of pipe (max length per pipe is 12 meters) to enable a 40 meter thrust from one new manhole to another. Once this is complete several new connections are to be installed into the up-stream manhole into which a new private storm water line and three type2 cesspits for a common driveway will discharge into.

Once all the internal benching is done a council survey inspection will take place allowing the new subdivision to progress with plan and build.

Drainage NZ provide a range of ALC services. For more information please call 0800 DRAINLAYER.

How To Install A Drainage Channel

how_to_install_drainage_channelDrainage channels are vital systems to any property to ensure surface flooding does not occur during wet seasons and due to other reasons where surface water builds up on the land. They prevent flooding of driveways, gardens, lawns and yards.

How do you install a drainage channel? Drainage channels are not particularly difficult to install provided you have the equipment and know how to do the job. We will provide basic steps to installing a drainage channel here.

Step 1.
Before beginning, make sure that  there is sufficient slope in the paving to ensure the water will run and be removed from the property. The channel should not be installed along the line of the vehicle wheel travel. Dig the trench for the channel, allowing sufficient room for the channel to be installed. Generally you will want 50mm of compacted sandbase under the channel and 100mm on each side for concrete backfill.

Step 2.
A leak control flange will now need to be installed into the bottom of the trench. The wet area should now be fully “tanked”.

Step 3.
If using PVC channel, cut to the required length and allow  5mm for the stop ends. Attach the stop ends and the spigot to the bottom of the channel.

Step 4.
Now it’s time to sit the channel into the trench you dug. Use leveling compound to ensure that the installation is level and at the appropriate height. It is generally recommended to have the PVC channel 1-2mm below the final height of the floor surface. Stainless channels can be installed level with the floor surface.

Step 5.
You can now backfill the trench with the cementitious compound. Ensure that the sub-tile moisture flow is not blocked from the leak control flange.

Step 6.
The floor can now be finished by laying down your chosen finishing surfaces such as tiles. Depending on the channel used, it is advised to lay a bead of silicone alongside or on top of the channel.

Step 7.
Now you can cut the grate to size and install it into the channel. Ensure that the cut is square and gently file back rough edges for safety and a clean look. It is always recommended to cut the grate a few millimeters shorter than the channel so that it can be easily removed later for cleaning.

 

 

 

 

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