Defective toilet paper causes a $40,000 plumbing problem.
This blocked drain sounds like a job for The Lone Drainer And Pronto
According to the Denver Post, The University of Colorado is suing over ‘defective’ toilet paper that caused $US40,000 in plumbing fees over the past few years.
The incidents included toilets bubbling over, overflowing toilets, and toilets that simply wouldn’t flush and would cause some flooding and backed up drains. In one instance, the university had to saw-cut concrete and excavate sewer pipes in order to remove an auger from a sewer line that was so bound up and clogged with toilet paper that it became stuck. There were flooding issues in 27 buildings in the spring of 2009 alone. The lawsuit claims that ‘the toilet paper… failed to disperse properly and caused the toilets and sewer lines at the university to become clogged’.
Now the problem has been addressed, and the lawyers have begun clogging the pipelines of the legal system with their own paperwork. For plumbers, cleaning out blocked sewers comes with the territory. Dealing with lawyers, however, is something else.
It was just like flushing money down the toilet……
We’ve all used this expression more than once, and in our life as plumbing professionals we see people flush all sorts of items down the toilet, in effect flushing money down the toilet by not thinking before they flush.
We have retrieved all types of unusual things from sewer pipes, including underwear, gloves, a 2 litre Coca Cola bottle, dental floss, sanitary napkins and tampons, even a piece of construction scaffolding???????
Well, this one was unusual, this client actually did flush his money down the toilet.
Yes, he flushed his wallet!
I have a few of these unusual things to show you and will over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!
In Sydney, according to the Weather Channel we have just experienced the wettest May 40 years!
Well it has been wet, and the rain in the suburbs along Sydneys coast both yesterday and today, the last 2 days of May 2011 have done plenty to boost the average for the month.
The volume of water running into stormwater grates and drains has at times put our stormwater pipelines under plenty of pressure.
We have had plenty of blocked drain emergency calls from people with overflowing drains that could easily be prevented.
These few simple tips will help avoid stormwater overflows.
As most of our beautiful deciduous trees have lost most of their leaves by now, it is often these leaves that create overflow problems when the rains come quickly.
1. Clear leaf and tree debris from your roof gutters and downpipes.
2. Keep channel grates, driveway grates and drains clean and clear.
3. Dont stockpile household items over any of your outside drains.
4. Run a garden hose through these drains periodically to check they are flowing.
5. Know where your stormwater pipes run to, and ensure these outlets are clear.
If you are not sure, please ask us.
P.S. I got home last night to overflowing gutters at the front of our home. Fortunately I could clear the leaf debris easily and allow the rainwater to run into our stormwater pipes .
Today at Global Headquarters for The Lone Drainer And Pronto, in Melody Street, Coogee we had an information session, jam packed with Questions and Answers about Taps, Toilets and Tree roots.
Although we weren’t quite turning local plumbing enthusiasts away from our rooms (wait till next time), those who came and participated in Dr Daves Tap Tutorial asked some very meaty questions about how their taps worked and how to fix them. They learned where to turn off their water main supply, their water heaters and gas supply meters.
We had a demonstration of a drainoscopy or how we use our drain camera to see what is going on in their sewer pipes and drains and how tree roots can damage even new PVC pipelines and we discussed the dangers of using flexible water connections, water hammer and the many ways it can present itself along with the operation of gas stoves and appliances.
Chris and I really enjoyed doing this presentation for you and hope you may tell your friends what you learned and tell them about our next presentation on the First Tuesday in May. Tuesday May 3rd 2011.
Now, The news that everyone wants to hear is, who Won A Years Supply of Toilet Paper?
Well, after putting your all names into my hat, I am happy to announce Gary is our winner.
CONGRATULATIONS GARY!
Think of us when as you enjoy your prize.
Please call our office on 02 9664 4990 to arrange a time drop in to our Headquarters and collect the first instalment of your prize. We can deliver the rest if it suits you!
We also gave 2 other very constructive participants a copy of “Whats My Pee Telling Me”
P.S. On the subject of toilets and toileting check out this and other interesting blog posts on our website http://thelonedrainerandpronto.com.au/blog/bidets/
One recurring topic of 2010 is the Ownership and liability of common water, sewer and gas pipes.
When we send out an emergency response team to a ruptured gas or water pipeline or an overflowing sewer, the first thing our team thinks about is rescuing the property under threat.
Often, it is after the emergency has passed, that ownership and liability of the problem are hotly debated.
This series of 3 blog posts is aimed at clarifying some of that debate.
Our friends at the Law Reform Commission have helped to clarify this interesting subject and in part it reads!
LIABILITY FOR COSTS
Role of the Water Board
An important and related issue that was raised in DP 22, in respect of utility services, is establishing liability for the repair and maintenance costs of common service pipes for individual users. The problem only really exists in respect of joint sewer services, because the Water Board will absorb the costs of repair and maintenance of water services (joint or single) within the areas of its operation.7 In those cases where the Board does not assume responsibility, it can still do the repair work itself and then issue notices for payment to the users of the service. The Water Board Act 1987 (NSW) does not contain any guidelines in respect of apportioning the costs of the work carried out.
The Water Board does not assume the same level of responsibility in respect of sewage services. A liability policy similar to the water supply policy (as discussed above) was considered for sewage services, but was rejected as too expensive. Where the Water Board is aware that work needs to be done on a joint sewer service, the Board will issue a defect notice requiring the users to repair the service within a certain period of time. Sometimes repair is ordered to take place within 24 hours, if the damaged service is deemed to be a health risk. It may also be the case that the users of that service realise that the service is in need of repair and attend to the repairs prior to receiving a notice from the Board.
Existing guidelines for apportioning costs
There are no guidelines to assist the owners in dividing the cost of repairs, although DP 22 argued that Regulation 9 of the Plumbing and Drainage Regulation (September 1989) could be interpreted as making owners jointly responsible for the maintenance of their water service pipe, sewer or storm water drain.8 Some users may argue that they were not responsible for any damage to the service and thus refuse to pay anything; other users may argue that the cost of repair should be divided equally, regardless of which users were directly affected, on the basis that the service is jointly owned; and others may consider the amount charged to be excessive and only wish to pay an amount they consider appropriate. Although a recommended rate may be obtained from the Master Plumbers Association, this rate is not a standard or enforceable rate and the final figure charged may be higher or lower depending on the circumstances.
In practice, one user (usually the person most affected by overflow from the blockage) often pays for the repairs and is then forced to seek contribution from the other users, and when payment is not forthcoming, he or she may be forced to litigate for the recovery of the money. Whilst a user may wish to claim equally against each of the other users of the service, it is difficult to prove what their contribution should be. A plumber may be retained to give expert advice about who or what caused the damage to the service. This lack of legislative direction stands in sharp contrast to the specific contributions that unit owners of a Strata Titles plan are required to provide by way of levy where maintenance and repair of the common property is necessary.
One recurring topic of 2010 is the Ownership and liability of common water, sewer and gas pipes.
When we send out an emergency response team to a ruptured gas or water pipeline or an overflowing sewer, the first thing our team thinks about is rescuing the property under threat.
Often, it is after the emergency has passed, that ownership and liability of the problem are hotly debated.
This series of 3 blog posts is aimed at clarifying some of that debate.
Our friends at the Law Reform Commission have helped to clarify this interesting subject and in part it reads!
A user of a service may attempt to disconnect the joint service and force other users of the service to bear the cost of a direct connection to the main service. Such action will however, be illegal unless conducted in accordance with the Water Board Act 1987 (Water Board (Plumbing and Drainage ) Regulation 1989),2 or a court order declaring that the common user of the service has a right to discontinue the service.
The creation of permanent rights of access is seen as a means of avoiding problems of access in respect of utility services, and applications have been made to the courts over the years to have access to and over utilities such as water pipes and sewers recognised as easements of necessity. The courts have, however, gone to considerable lengths to hold that although such an easement may be considered by a landowner to be essential for the reasonable enjoyment of property, it is not an easement of necessity,4 because at law easements over such services are not considered necessary to the land itself.
Although DP 22 raised the possibility of statutory recognition of these “trespassing” services as a means of rectifying the problem, the Board of Surveyors pointed out in their submission6 that few authorities know with any exactitude the location of their service lines. Consequently, the Board of Surveyors opposes the creation of statutory easements over them until such time as they are properly defined on title. The Commission agrees that such a step may be expensive and premature at this stage. It would seem desirable however, that steps are taken in the long term by the relevant authorities to locate such services, properly record them and establish the appropriate rights over them.
One recurring topic of 2010 is the Ownership and liability of common water, sewer and gas pipes.
When we send out an emergency response team to a ruptured gas or water pipeline or an overflowing sewer, the first thing our team thinks about is rescuing the property under threat.
Often, it is after the emergency has passed, that ownership and liability of the problem are hotly debated.
This series of 3 blog posts is aimed at clarifying some of that debate.
Our friends at the Law Reform Commission have helped to clarify this interesting subject and in part it reads!
In most cases, persons using utility services that pass through several properties benefit by the existence of an easement of access over that service, entitling the user to enter the property on which the service is located in order to attend to the service.1 However, in the absence of such an easement, the user of the service is not allowed to interfere with the service, even where that interference is for the purpose of maintenance, repair, or relocation of the service.
One explanation of why there may not be an easement is that the properties through which the service runs were once commonly owned. When the common ownership ceased, new owners may have failed to ensure that easements over water pipes or sewer lines existed for the particular part of the property they were purchasing. The problem may have arisen due to an assumption that such a right was simply transferred with the purchased property, or by an omission on the part of the conveyancer. Whatever the reason, the failure to create and register an easement has given rise to a number of lasting problems. These difficulties have been compounded by the general reluctance of the Water Board to impose on new purchasers a requirement to install costly separate connections. Many properties today do not have a viable means of creating a separate connection at reasonable cost.
This post was brought to my attention by the ever vigilant Richard Piper. When you ring our office for help you may speak to him. Tell him you enjoyed this post, I did!
Sewage powered VW Beetle hits the road in Bristol
A Volkswagen Beetle powered by gas from sewage has taken to the road for the first time in Britain.
This converted Beetle car runs on methane gas. The Bio-Bug was launched on Thursday by Wessex Water, which is generating methane from human waste at a sewage treatment works near Bristol.
The company claims the prototype is able to cover 10,000 miles annually on the waste from 70 households.
If the trial proves successful, Volkswagen will consider converting some of its fleet of vehicles to run on biogas.
Mohammed Saddiq, of GENeco, a Wessex Water subsidiary which runs the biogas plant at Avonmouth, said: “Our site has been producing biogas for many years, which we use to generate electricity to power the site and export to the National Grid.
“With the surplus gas we had available we wanted to put it to good use in a sustainable and efficient way.
“We decided to power a vehicle on the gas, offering a sustainable alternative to using fossil fuels which we so heavily rely on in the UK.
“If you were to drive the car you wouldn’t know it was powered by biogas as it performs just like any conventional car. It is probably the most sustainable car around.”
The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association said the launch of the Bio-Bug proved that biomethane from sewage sludge could be used as an alternative fuel for vehicles.
Lord Rupert Redesdale, the association’s chairman, said: “This is a very exciting and forward-thinking project demonstrating the myriad benefits of anaerobic digestion (releasing energy from waste). Biomethane cars could be just as important as electric cars.”
Last month Volkswagen announced plans to conquer the green market with a new generation of hybrid and electric cars.
Dogs and cats find renovations very stressful: there are strangers in their home changing things, moving things around and distrupting their routine. Some of the risks involved range from escape behaviour, bad dog behaviour, territorial behaviour and the general stress of strangers and loud noises in their space. You also have the risk of injury or the potential of your fur baby being exposed to toxins. Unlike the tradesman, there are no protective masks or clothing for your pet.
Lead and Asbestos, as most of us know, are bad for us, but it’s just as bad for our pets. Years ago it was popular for house paint which contained high levels of Lead in addition to0 Asbestos in our walls. Startlingly before 1970 most paints contained up to 50% lead. Disturbing the paint during renovations can be risky business and you need to ensure you keep yours, and your pet’s, exposure levels down and leave this sort of job to the experts!
Lead and Asbestos will only resurface if it is disturbed, your tradie could unintentionaly do this and create a risk. If you’re renovating be sure to follow these simple steps to make sure your family and pets are safe from Lead and Asbestos.
Step 1 – Look into how much asbestos you will have to work around and whether your paint contains lead. The most likely places to find lead paint will be on the kitchen and bathroom cupboards, window frames, skirting boards, doors, architraves, picture rails, exterior walls, gutters, metal surfaces and fascias.
Step 2 – Use the appropriate tools and equipment for the task at hand. Protective clothing is a must! A respirator, disposable coveralls, disposable overshoes, a hat, and gloves will protect you from any dust containing lead. Find somewhere to keep your pets safe while the renovations are happening, a relative, friend or a doggy daycare is always a good idea to get the pets out of the house.
Step 3 – Prepare fully for interior or exterior work. Get experts to deal with Asbestos as there is a multitude of legislation governing the tampering and removal of Asbestos.
Step 4 – Deal appropriately with paint containing Lead. Use techniques that minimise the creation and dispersion of dust or fumes. Large portions of dust or wastewater that contain lead can contaminate the house and garden so best not to dry sand or use abrasive blasting. It’s always safer to avoid creating the dust as opposed to cleaning it up after as dust conatining only 1% lead can be harmful.
Step 5 – Use a 3 bucket wet cleaning method to eliminate any left over chemicals.
Step 6 – Dispose of contaminated waste appropriately.
This Blog Post was kindly supplied by the Friendly Team at Paddington Pups, Queensland’s Number #1 Doggy Daycare Centre.
