Pipe watertight-ness

[amyboo]

One of the drainage downpipes in my appartment building is leaking. My plumber seems to feel the leak is just above the ceiling in the entrance hallway, jus before where the pipe enters the wall and goes into my (lovely fitted) kitchen. Plumber has suggested replacing a section of the pipe from just above where he thinks the leak is, to about halfway down the pipe in the entrance hallway (about a 1.5m section of pipe).

My building management are now claiming that this will not be watertight and that the whole pipe from the floor in the entrance hallway to the ceiling in my appartment's kitchen, should be replaced. This would be about an 8m long piece of PVC pipe.

I assumed that this would be impossible to replace in one piece, and would still require the pipe to have joins in it. Can anyone please confirm? Apart from anything else, it seems pointless to replace a pipe that isn't damaged, and my plumber swears that the join he proposes would be watertight. I really don't want to rip my kitchen apart for nothing.

 

[Softus]

One of the drainage downpipes in my appartment building is leaking. My plumber seems to feel the leak is just above the ceiling in the entrance hallway

These two statements are not really consistent.

First, you need to find the leak. A theory, or a feeling, just isn't enough.

 

[amyboo]

Thanks for the answer. The plumber has pretty much established where the leak is, but cannot be certain until he knocks the hole in the ceiling that he'll need to make in order to access/replace the pipe anyway. It's definitely coming from between my appartment and the ground floor - we know that for certain. But without ripping my entire kitchen apart, he can't really be certian of the exact location until he starts to take the pipes apart downstairs... He had his hand up in the ceiling and thinks he found the leak, but like I say, until he can actually access the pipe properly he won't know for certain.

My question is not about the leak, as regardless of where it is, the pipe in the hallway will have to be replaced as it's now corroded a bit from the water leaking constantly. I wanted to know how firm joins in PVC pipes are...

 

[Dan Robinson]

As firm as they need to be if done correctly.

 

[Softus]

The plumber has pretty much established...cannot be certain until....he can't really be certian of the exact location...until he can actually access the pipe properly he won't know for certain.

That's my point precisely.

My question is not about the leak, as regardless of where it is, the pipe in the hallway will have to be replaced as it's now corroded a bit from the water leaking constantly. I wanted to know how firm joins in PVC pipes are...

You haven't yet said what gauge this pipework is or what it carries.

If it carries grey waste, and if the repair is going to be boxed in and made inaccessible, then it wouldn't be wise to use a compression connection. Solvent welded would be a good method of joining, but you haven't said what the existing pipework is made of.

I still think you're jumping the gun, and that the leak needs to be found before any discussion takes place on the method and extent of repair.

 

[amyboo]

It's a waste water pipe for the kitchens in our building - carries sink, washing machine and dishwasher waste water. The existing pipe is lead, the replacement pipe would be PVC.

Anyway, I can see I won't get a straight answer on here. I don't need a lecture about how you should establish the leak blah blah. I'm well aware of that, but my kind plumber is proposing to search for the leak by working from the least damaging place upwards! The pipework in my new kitchen was all boxed in by previous owners and has tiles/cupboards/sink and all sort around it.

Thanks for your patronising answers Softus.

 

[Dan Robinson]

tit. There's no helping some people.

 

[Softus]

It's a waste water pipe for the kitchens in our building - carries sink, washing machine and dishwasher waste water. The existing pipe is lead, the replacement pipe would be PVC.

OK. In that case you don't have any choice but to use a compression fitting, and I can see why the management company has concerns. However, you don't have a choice. If your plumber has done this kind of work before then he shouldn't have any difficulty, and as long as he provides a warranty for his work then I would expect the MC to be satisfied. When faced with this situation I provide a copy of my public liability insurance certificate. If he can't/won't do that, then don't use him.

Anyway, I can see I won't get a straight answer on here.

I see. It's like that then is it?

I don't need a lecture about how you should establish the leak blah blah.

And I didn't attempt to give you one, so untwist your frilly knickers.

Thanks for your patronising answers Softus.

Ah, bless. No need for thanks - just make yoursel' useful and brew me a nice cuppa tea.

 

[longdogs]

Hi Amyboo. Can't see a problem with replacing a section of waste pipe. It will not be under any pressure so compression fittings should be fine. obviously your plumber will test it for leaks before any restoration is carried out anyway. Your building management are probably after using their own plumber and charging you a fortune for it. As for softus, you just kinda get used to him after a while.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Compression fittings on a lead - PVC waste pipe repair in a ceiling?

hhhmmm...


On gas its illegal, on water its stupid.

Just my opinion, and what do I know?

 

[longdogs]

Compression fittings on a lead - PVC waste pipe repair in a ceiling?

hhhmmm...

What do you suggest then? Amyboo is not a plumber and is asking for advice.

On gas its illegal, on water its stupid.

Just my opinion, and what do I know?