Case Study – Broken Stormwater Drain at Highpoint Shopping Centre

Essendon Plumbing Services has only recently started to provide plumbing solutions for GPT group - the owners of Highpoint Shopping Centre in Maribyrnong, Melbourne.

We were recently set a task of locating and repairing a damaged storm water drain located in their carpark. Richard, our Plumbing Operations and Estimating Manager, has been assigned to the portfolio of managing our clients’ needs for this site. This gives the GPT group a single point of contact and allows Essendon Plumbing Services to become more familiar with site specifics in a shorter period of time.

Attending Site & Risk Assessment

On the request of GPT Group, Richard attended site with Thommy, one of our expert plumbers, to organise how we would logistically carry out the storm water drain repairs and minimize the impact on their business and the general public who utilise the carpark.

In consultation with management, Richard and Thommy carried out a site risk assessment and a Safe Work Method Statement was created detailing how we would carry out the work safely. This incorporated how we would minimise the risk to the general public, their business operations and ourselves. Once the SWMS was approved, the work was scheduled for a time that suited our client.

Cutting Asphalt & Excavation

Thommy and Kasey, two of our experienced Melbourne plumbers, were assigned the task of repairing the broken storm water drain. They arrived on site with all the tools and machinery required to complete the plumbing repair work in a safe manner and according to their Safe Work Method Statement “SWMS”.

After signing into site, the area was scanned for any below ground services that may be located in the area of excavation, once it was completed and deemed safe, they were ready to start.

First job was to saw cut the asphalt carpark so they could excavate and locate the broken storm water pipe. What they found was a 225mm broken stormwater pipe and a 225mm socket that hadn’t been glued in position. So, they needed to excavate further to be able to remove the socket and repair the damaged section of pipework.

Drain Repair

The drain was repaired, and the pipe was brought up to ground level so they could install a stormwater grate in the carpark to assist with the removal of ground water that was previously pooling in the area. A cover was placed over the hole and the area barricaded off to the public, making it safe until they returned the following day to backfill the excavation.

Backfilling the Excavation

With the area being a carpark and subject to vehicle traffic, the excavation needed to be backfilled with 20mm road base crushed rock and compacted in 150mm layers to prevent sinking at a later date. Once compacted, the area was cleaned ready for the asphalt to be re-instated.

Dial Before You Dig

Essendon Plumbing Services always contacts Dial before you Dig before any excavation works are carried out. It is a free national service that assists in preventing damage and disruption to Australia’s vast infrastructure networks. The response informs the applicant of any registered national infrastructure assets in the area of the proposed works, preventing the loss or damage to infrastructure and harm to the greater community.

Other items to consider when working outside the property boundary or within easements are Council road opening permits. These are generally required when working within footpaths and nature strips and Vic Roads would need to be notified of any works that may interrupt public roads and possibly require a traffic management plan.

Contact Us

Essendon Plumbing Services has an experienced team of Master Plumbers ready to find and fix your plumbing problems no matter where they are or when you need us.

If you have a blocked storm water drain in Melbourne and are looking for a plumbing company that goes above and beyond then call us now on 1300 193 298 or book online.