12/06/2024 Drain inspection for customer looking to understand his system in Lindfield, Haywards Heath
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the quaint property we were about to explore in Lindfield, Haywards Heath. As drainage specialists, we were no strangers to the hidden underworld of pipes and gullies. But this assignment promised more intrigue than most.
1. The Modern Covers
We stepped onto the property, exchanging nods with the homeowner. Our eyes fell upon the drain covers—surprisingly modern for a house with a history dating back to the 1950s. Clearly, renovations had left no stone unturned, and the drains were no exception.
2. The Soil Vent Pipe (SVP01)
Our journey began at what we believed was the system’s origin. There it stood—a fresh Soil Vent Pipe (SVP01) reaching for the sky, destined to serve an upstairs bathroom. Just a stone’s throw away, a gully catered to a utility room. This solitary gully, like a secret keeper, connected to SVP01 via a Y joint at its base.
3. The Clues Within
As we slid our camera down SVP01, we encountered an unexpected obstacle: debris. Plaster remnants, builder’s detritus, and perhaps a dash of mystery—why was this pipe holding water? Had someone washed their buckets in the open gully? We needed answers.
4. The Jetter’s Roar
Decision made: we’d cleanse the system. The trusty Jetter emerged, its powerful stream dislodging debris as we worked our way to the next chamber, 11 meters downstream. No surprises awaited us—the line was equally clogged. But onward we pressed, dropping the camera into the fray.
5. The Curious Belly
From IC01 to IC02, plastic pipes greeted us. Mostly pristine, except for a peculiar belly—a 1.5-meter stretch that clung to water like a reluctant swimmer. Five percent capacity lost to this aquatic anomaly.
6. Branching Out
IC02 led us to IC03—a blissfully clean 5-meter run. Here, three branches beckoned. One snaked upstream to IC04, a hub serving SVP02 (a freshly installed stack pipe for another upstairs bathroom) and two other branches—the kitchen and a downstairs toilet—flowing freely.
7. The Forgotten IC05
But wait! A third branch from IC03 remained shrouded in mystery. IC05—an enigma unbeknownst to the homeowner. We sent our camera down a clay pipe, tracing its ancient path—10.8 meters to the boundary. The past whispered through its walls.
8. The Windsor Trap
Emerging underwater, we scanned with our sonde, pinpointing IC05. A forgotten chamber, untouched for eons. And there it was—a blocked Windsor trap. The missing top cap had allowed flow, deceiving the unsuspecting resident.
9. Lost and Found
We cleared the line, but fate played tricks. The washout lance’s quick-fit nozzle vanished down the trap. Determination fueled our quest. A new attachment in hand, we delved into the soiled abyss. Tarmac fragments, a clay pipe collar, even a rat skull—each revealed itself. And then, a triumphant surprise: my lost nozzle, snug among the secrets.
And so, dear reader, our drainage odyssey unfolded—a blend of engineering, archaeology, and a touch of absurdity. For in the depths, where pipes whispered forgotten tales, we danced with mysteries, one nozzle at a time.
This concluded our job at this property, we made our report for the customer.
just before we left the customer found out we also do exterior cleaning and wanted us to do a small sample on his patio to see how well it would come up. we did a square meter with the jet and treated it with Hypo. I think he was impressed so we could return in the near future to sort this for them also.
At Black Swan Drainage, we take pride in delivering efficient and reliable assistance. You can trust our experienced team to safeguard your property and provide peace of mind when it comes to your drainage needs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and we’ll be there to resolve your drainage concerns with professionalism and expertise.
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