Strata Plumbing Geelong -Commercial Drainage diagnostics

Bay Plumbing & Drainage – Trusted Strata & Commercial Plumbing Specialists in Geelong

The Pier Point Owners Corporation, managed by Harcourts Geelong, approached Bay Plumbing & Drainage to investigate persistent water leaks from the top story into the lower levels of their Geelong CBD building. Recent tiling works had been carried out to repair defects identified during a building inspection, but there was concern that the suspended stormwater drainage system may not be fully clear, potentially compromising the repairs.

On-Site CCTV Drainage Inspection and Assessment

Our team attended the site to carry out a full stormwater system inspection. The main objectives were:

• Check that the suspended stormwater drainage system was operating at full capacity
• Identify any blockages caused by grout, broken tiles, or installation defects from recent works
• Ensure stormwater catchment points were functioning correctly
• Fully document the findings for the Owners Corporation and provide detailed reporting

Using our high-resolution Ridgid CCTV drainage cameras alongside our GPS locating equipment, we were able to pinpoint several areas where grout had been washed off and broken tile debris were obstructing the stormwater flow from the top balcony. This was causing water to pool on the deck area surrounding the building and flow in between the cladding and core drilled holes for the services affecting lower properties.

Diagnosing the Issues

During inspection, we found:

• Large amounts of set grout inside the suspended stormwater service restricting flow. This was caused by the tilers washing off during the installation which then set in the drain and blocked the service
• Debris from broken tiles in the PVC elbows and junctions on the suspended stormwater system
• Installation defects affecting performance from lack of adequate drainage points in the deck areas and channel grates with little or no fall causing water to pool and run off the side of the building

These issues were directly causing the intermittent leaks and were a risk to the building’s owners and internal assets if left un-resolved.

Professional Rectification & Cleaning Process

To restore full functionality, we:

1. Protected the property – All work areas were covered with protective floor covings to prevent damage while moving drainage equipment through the building.
2. Bypassed critical connections – The basement stormwater was temporarily disconnected, and a filter and bypass system installed to capture grout and tile fragments.
3. High-pressure water jetting – Using our specialised units, we cleared the blockages along the full length of the suspended 225mm stormwater service.
4. Re-inspection – After clearing, we ran the CCTV camera through the system to ensure the service was completely free of obstructions and operating efficiently.
5. Documentation – A full photo and video report was provided to the Owners Corporation, demonstrating the work completed and confirming the system’s restored capacity.

Outcome and Client Benefits

• The suspended stormwater drainage was fully cleared and reconnected
• Leaks from upper levels were eliminated, protecting the building’s assets
• The Owners Corporation received a detailed inspection and remediation report for record keeping
• Confidence in the long-term performance of the stormwater system was restored

Bay Plumbing & Drainage continues to build a reputation across Geelong and surrounding areas for delivering complex strata plumbing jobs that require specialist equipment, technical expertise, and meticulous attention to detail — ensuring results for owners corporations time and time again.