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The absurdities of testing - Sewers !



I wanted to get the sewer connected so I could fit a toilet in the basement and take the portaloo off hire . I had already had the pipes under the floor tested now I had to get the short length from the cleanout outside the house to the town sewer finished and tested . I had dug up the trench from the cleanout to the sewer earlier but due to all the rain it was flooded . I got Seth to dig a short trench to let the water go so it could be finished . Unfortunately he dug it beyond the property line into the town storm ditch . Somebody from the town drove by and saw water running into the ditch and was not pleased . Within half an hour the clerk of works and the building inspector showed up . The acted as if a huge mudslide was running into their ditch and demanded it be stopped immediately . Seth was a bit bolchey which did not help but I talked to them and asked how to proceed with the sewer connection and they went away after asking for the silt fence to be repaired and the pile of dirt now 60 feet up the next lot be covered . They ignored the fact that it had been there for six months and was grassing over . I agreed to see to it . Not good as it entailed more to me unnecessary work .
The pipes under the floor and within the house are of ABS and although still 4" internally are wider externally than the 4" sewer pipe they have to join too . It took me two wasted trips to home depo and one to Frontier builders before a lady in ace hardware sold me the correct fitting - a simple insert that goes in an ABS fitting to reduce its size . She also sold me universal glue as ABS and Polystyrene cement would only glue their own materials where the universal would glue ABS to polystyrene sewer pipe .
The sewer pipe they use is , unlike all the rest of the plumbing pipes , the same as we use in the UK . It has slip together fittings with internal rubber gaskets to seal them . Unlike the UK here they must be tested . I really do not see why when the rubber gaskets are pretty foolproof and even if they did leak it would be deep in the ground , in small quantities and out of harms way . Anyway I have to finish the connections but also fit bungs to the section being tested . Then I must fill it up to a head of 7 feet according to the written paperwork but 10 feet according to the new building inspector .
Once this is done I must get them to inspect it before removing the bungs and allowing water to enter the town sewer . I now have all the parts but I just haven't had the time as when Darrell or David are available the framing has to take priority . Watch this space !
I have borrowed a trench pump and regular use has reduced the water level and once I am alone on the site I will make the connection !

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