Maintenance-free Concrete Sewer Encasements: Encasing a pipe in concrete to provide strength and protection to Sydney Water assets.
A lot of the existing sewer mains and pipelines around Sydney are made of clay or cast iron, and it is generally recommended that these or any deteriorating pipes, be removed and replaced with PVC pipe. The PVC pipe is then surrounded in concrete to create the sewer encasement.
Encasing a pipe in concrete will provide strength to the existing asset and will provide added protection to the pipe from unexpected external load and movement, reducing the risk of damage and the need for repairs.
What is a concrete sewer encasement?
A maintenance-free concrete sewer encasement is the process of removing the earth around a sewer main and surrounding the pipe in concrete. This process makes the pipe ‘maintenance free', thus allowing structures to be built over or in close proximity to the Sydney Water sewer main.
Concrete sewer encasements usually form part of the Sydney Water Building Plan approval works and can only be undertaken by Sydney Water accredited minor and major works constructors. All Line Plumbing are fully accredited and insured to be able to carry out a wide range of concrete sewer encasement projects within Sydney and beyond.
Contact us for a sewer encasementWorks that may require a concrete sewer encasement
Permanent or temporary building works that may adversely impact the sewer main and usually require a concrete encasement include residential, commercial, and industrial works such:
- Domestic swimming pools and water tanks
- Carports, verandahs, pergolas, and sheds
- Decks and retaining walls
- Driveways and pavement areas
- Planting trees and landscaping
- Demolition and excavation
- Roads and civil infrastructure
Process of a concrete sewer encasement
Before you can receive a Section 73 Compliance Certificate or Building Plan Approval, you will need to adhere to the Sydney Water Notice of Requirements, and these may include the need for a sewer encasement.
The most common process and steps for a maintenance-free concrete sewer encasement are:
- Approval
Before any concrete sewer encasement works can commence, the works will need to be approved by a Water Servicing Coordinator (WSC) who is accredited by Sydney Water. This approval will usually form part of your Building Plan Approval works but sometimes can fall under Section 73 works also. Once the project has been approved by an accredited Water Servicing Coordinator, the concrete sewer encasement works may commence on site. - Excavation
The first step of the construction works is to excavate the existing sewer main. Depending on the depth of the sewer main and ground conditions, sometimes the trench will need to be supported by trench shoring or will have to be benched out to ensure the trench is stable and safe to work in. - Pipe Preparation
Once the excavation is completed the sewer main must be prepared for the placement of concrete. Often the sewer mains which are old clay pipe will be removed and replaced with new PVC piping at this stage. The sewer main will have to be supported and fixed so that it is straight and on percent of fall to ensure it does not move when the concrete is being poured. - Inspection
An inspection of the sewer encasement will need to be undertaken by the Water Servicing Coordinator (WSC) once concrete is ready to be poured. As the constructor, All Line Plumbing will liaise with your project WSC to schedule this inspection for the correct time. - Pouring of Concrete
Once the works have passed inspection, concrete will be able to be poured around the sewer main. The concrete will fully encapsulate the sewer main making the pipeline structurally sound and "maintenance free". - Backfilling
After the concrete has adequately cured, the trench can be backfilled back up to the existing ground level and site will be tidied. This is the last step for the on-site construction works. - Work as Constructed Documentation
The last step of the concrete sewer encasement construction process is submission of the Work As Constructed information to the project's Water Servicing Coordinator. This will provide Sydney Water with the information of the works complete and enable them to update their records accordingly.
Five Star Reviews
"Shane and the team did a fantastic job with our sewer encasement. From the initial quote all the way through to the end they were punctual, no fuss and communicated well throughout.
They even managed to stick to the schedule despite heavy rain.
I have no hesitation in recommending All Line Plumbing, thanks guys!".
Five Star Reviews
"I just engaged All Line Plumbing to do a sewer line encasement.
They came out for a site inspection and provided me with a quote and was prompt to respond to inquiries
On site they were friendly, professional and did a fantastic job despite unforeseen circumstances.
I can highly recommend All Line Plumbing".
What is the cost of a Concrete Sewer Encasement?
Providing a cost per lineal metre rate can be inaccurate when trying to calculate the cost of your sewer encasement. This is due to the many different site-specific factors which vary greatly from project to project.
A site inspection performed by All Line Plumbing is the best way to determine the cost of your sewer encasement works. This will enable us to provide an obligation free quotation for the concrete sewer encasement works and you can have the peace of mind that the quotation is tailored to your site-specific requirements.
Contact us for a sewer encasementCost factors for Concrete Sewer Encasements
Some of the factors which will need to be considered when calculating the cost or your concrete sewer encasement are:Length of the sewer encasement
The longer the section of sewer main that is required to be concrete encased, the more material and labour will be involved with carrying out the works.
Depth of the sewer main
The depth of the sewer main can drastically affect the cost of the works. For deeper excavations, the trench may need to wider or supported with trench shoring and this is a major factor to consider when calculating the cost of your works.
Access for excavation equipment to the area
On many projects the concrete sewer encasement works may be required to be carried out at the back of a property, with existing structures in the way which prevent the works from being carried out with large excavation plant. All Line Plumbing have a wide range of specialised mini excavation equipment to fit in narrow access areas. In these instances, we also have the facilities of a concrete pump, which can be utilised where a concrete truck is not able to reach the work area.
The ground conditions
The ground conditions are a very important factor to consider when planning your concrete sewer encasement. Sand is very easy and quick to dig, however may become unstable when trenching at depths, and may require trench shoring or widening of the trench for stability. Clay grounds may not be as easy to dig as sand but are usually much more stable and can be benched out when trenching at deep depths.
Surrounding structures which may limit room
Sometimes there will be existing structures such as fences, trees, buildings and other structures on site, which limit work area where the concrete encasement will be needed. This may see the need for the excavated material to be removed from site temporarily while the works are undertaken or the works to be performed in stages to minimise the amount of material that is present in the work area.
Maintenance-free Sewer Encasement Specialists in Sydney
While there is a lot to consider when calculating the cost of your concrete sewer encasement, All Line Plumbing specialise in these works and are renowned for their expertise in maintenance-free concrete sewer encasements.
With years of experience under our belt, our dedicated team possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to ensure your project is completed efficiently and to the highest standards. All Line Plumbing takes pride in delivering exceptional results, providing you with peace of mind throughout the process.
You can rely on our expertise and dedication to deliver a smooth and dependable solution for your concrete sewer encasement requirements.
Please feel free to contact us for your obligation free quotation for your upcoming concrete sewer encasement project.
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