Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 18, 2015 10:34 pm Hi All, new to building (our first home) and new to the forums. Just needed some advice and opinions before sending a detailed e-mail to our BC, in relation to strong condensation and a HORRID smell coming from our drain pipes at lock-up stage. (Bathrooms, Laundry and Kitchen drains). We spoke to our site supervisor on-site about 6 weeks ago, shortly after our roof tiles went on and wall sarking / external wrap installed... but prior to bricking, in relation to a strong unpleasant odur coming from the drain pipes. Tradies had been covering these pipes with various materials because the smell was unbearable at times (more so after rain). These items were very wet underneath, due to condensation coming from the pipe. My parents have built 2 houses in the past 6 years and they never experienced any smells from these pipes, even during winter for one of the builds. Our site supervisor was leaning towards it just being the rain, and would get it looked at should the smell not dissipate. Well, we are now at lock-up stage with bricks and plaster in. Smell has not gotten any better. Last Wednesday our cabinetry was installed (over the top of these drains). We looked at the cabinetry today (Saturday) and upon opening the doors in our laundry and bathrooms, they are absolutely saturated in condensation from the smelly drain pipe! (see links to photos). Is it normal to have smelly drain pipes during construction, and am I wrong to ask for these cabinets to be replaced? Im presuming the condensation is my worst fears..... (coming from drain/sewerage pipes). We're also concerned for the potential of mould growth in the inaccessible cavity under the cabinetry - as the pipes have not been fitted off (sinks yet to be installed). Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Thanks. Matt. Re: Lock-up Stage - Bad Smell and Condensation from Drain Pi 3Jul 19, 2015 10:11 am Its because the sewage and waste riser pipes have been cut back and left uncapped , possibly by the cabinet installers , that nasty smell is a lovely mix of methane and other toxic sewer gasses , get your site supervisor to have it rectified , the condensation can't be good for the cabinetry and the gas is certainly not healthy to have filling escaping into confined spaces as well as unpleasant . Methane = deadly in high enough concentrations . Re: Lock-up Stage - Bad Smell and Condensation from Drain Pi 5Jul 21, 2015 12:22 am I would recommend you spend a few hundred dollars. To get a building Inspector in that is not related to that company. You'll be very surprised what this person will find and what the builder has to fix for you before handover Do not sign until the builder has completed properly 1 4695 Grab a hose, insert it at the top of the inlet/down pipe and turn the water on and see where the water is escaping from. Then you'll know. 3 8465 Building Standards; Getting It Right! Thank you for the generous offer. I need to get the plumber out to give me an explanation. As mentioned I haven't seen any rain water discharge from pipes 1& 3. It… 7 10810 |