Repairing a Broken Stormwater Pipe Beneath a Council Footpath
Our team was engaged to repair a broken stormwater pipe beneath a council footpath in Ashfield.
The damaged section involved a PVC 45-degree bend that needed to be exposed and replaced. Because the pipe was located beneath a public footpath, the project also required council approval, traffic management arrangements and pedestrian safety measures before excavation could begin.
The repair involved removing a section of concrete footpath, replacing the damaged stormwater fitting and reinstating the excavated area.
Preparing the Council Footpath for Excavation
Before opening the footpath, the necessary council footpath opening permit and traffic management arrangements were included in the works.
A traffic management plan was prepared, with barricades and signage established to help manage pedestrian access around the excavation.
The affected section of concrete footpath was then marked out and cut using a concrete saw.
A jackhammer was used to remove the concrete, allowing excavation to begin around the damaged stormwater pipe.
Excavating Around the Broken PVC Bend
Once the concrete was removed, the ground was excavated to expose the broken 45-degree PVC stormwater bend.
Approximately one metre of pipework was exposed, providing access to the damaged fitting and the adjoining upstream and downstream connections.
This allowed the repair to focus on the affected section rather than unnecessarily excavating a longer length of the stormwater drainage.
Replacing and Concrete Encasing the Stormwater Pipe
The broken bend and affected section of stormwater pipework were cut out and removed.
New PVC pipework and fittings were installed to reconnect the existing drainage on either side of the damaged section.
The replacement pipework was then concrete encased to provide additional support and protection beneath the footpath.
This was an important part of the repair because the stormwater line runs beneath a public pedestrian area, where the surrounding ground and surface are subject to external loading.
Backfilling and Reinstating the Footpath
Once the replacement pipework was installed, the excavated trench was compacted and backfilled.
The disturbed section of footpath was reinstated using cold-mix bitumen, providing a surface finish over the repaired drainage area.
The completed stormwater works were tested and commissioned, with excavation waste and redundant materials removed from site.
The work area was then cleaned following completion.
Completing the Ashfield Stormwater Repair
The project addressed the broken stormwater fitting while managing the additional requirements of working beneath a council footpath.
The damaged PVC bend was replaced, the new pipework was concrete encased and the excavated area was backfilled and reinstated.
By limiting the excavation to the affected section, the repair restored the stormwater connection without replacing unaffected lengths of underground drainage.
Related Stormwater & Drainage Services
Pure Plumbing Professionals provides Stormwater Drainage, CCTV Pipe Inspections, Blocked Drain Clearing and Plumbing Maintenance throughout Ashfield and surrounding Sydney suburbs.
Related work can include broken stormwater pipe repairs, underground PVC drainage replacement, drainage excavation and repairs beneath paved or concrete surfaces.
