Property owners occasionally require PSL pressure tests. PSL pressure tests affect sewer laterals and are vital for property owners looking to build, buy, sell or remodel a particular property.
So what exactly is this form of pipeline testing? And why does it matter?
Let’s take a look.
What are PSL pressure tests?
A PSL pressure is performed on a private sewer line (PSL), to ensure that it is water tight and not containing any leaks. PSL lines must meet rigorous safety and performance standards. Property owners throughout Australia must ensure their sewer lines are free from defects, storm water in flow and they must be watertight.
There are two types of PSL tests. These include:
- Low-pressure air test: A low pressure test is the most common form of pipeline testing performed. These tests are highly convenient and don’t disrupt the sewer line service during repair or rehabilitation. This test involves applying pressurised air into the sewer lateral. The test then involves measuring the air pressure to determine if there are leaks.
- Hydrostatic water test: The hydrostatic water test is a different PSL pressure test. This is the older form of pressure testing and involves filing a sewer lateral with water to detect piping strength, pressure tightness and see if there are any potential leaks.
How are pressure tests performed?
Low pressure air test: Low pressure air tests are undertaken by applying pressurised air into the sewer line. When the internal air pressure is stabilised, the air pressure will drop to 2.5 to 3.0 PSI. This is when the test begins. To pass the test, the air pressure cannot drop more than one PSI within five minutes of testing time.
Hydrostatic water test
Hydrostatic water tests can be undertaken in between line cleaning. This test is undertaken by connecting the building cleanout with a standpipe and filling the standpipe with a pressure head of five feet above the private sewer line’s highest point. When the standpipe is filled to the adequate level, the test commences.
To pass the test, the lateral cannot undergo any apparent water loss at the standpipe’s top point.
Why properties require pressure testing
All property owners of some magnitude should understand the importance of pressure testing. Sewer lines have to comply to Australian standards and a PSL pressure test is the best way to do it.
People should consider pressure testing when buying or selling a house, building or remodelling their property or changing the size of their water meter. Pressure tests can be obtained using the proper testing companies, who specialise in engineering these solutions at a particular property.
They will be able to provide an adequate evaluation of your property, engineering design and delivery of the testing unit, with the test resulting in whether your property’s pipelines have adequate pressure or whether they contain any unwanted leaks.
Comments are closed.