JAB Plumbing Solutions is delighted to have worked on the historic redevelopment of Sydney Harbour’s Sirius Building, playing our part in this history of this venerated Sydney landmark. It’s a reflection of our decades of quality work in the Northern Beaches and surrounding suburbs, and we’re so proud of our team of experts who were able to tackle this complex project with all the professionalism, dedication and expertise JAB Plumbing Solutions has become known for.
Inspecting an Icon
Built in 1979 and designed by architect Tao Gofers, the Sirius Building has long been a landmark at The Rocks in Sydney Harbor. Originally public housing, the now privatised building is being redeveloped – prized for its ‘dress circle’ address and incomparable views across the Harbour – the Sirius Building is being given a new life.
We at JAB were honoured to receive the call to inspect this icon of a building and become part of the history of Harbourside development. Understanding the importance of such a task, and the gravity of completing all inspections in a way that respects the historic nature of the building, we worked closely with the development team to ensure everything was up to the mark before handover.
What We Did
We completed a range of different task to cover the plumbing and pipe inspections at Sirius:
CCTV Inspection
We performed CCTV inspection on all apartments and communal areas in the Sirius building. CCTV inspections are valuable for helping us identify issues in drainage systems without the need for digging. These no-dig inspections allow us to note any areas that may need maintenance, any blockages or leaks, cracked pipes or other kinds of damage. Using CCTV means we can precisely map the building’s pipes and pinpoint any areas in need of work, making it more efficient and cost effective to complete such a complex project.
Pre-Pipe Inspection
We also performed pre-pipe inspection on the whole building. This means a thorough examination of any pipes that are deemed in need of maintenance or repair. Through this process, we’re able to note things like the pipe integrity, materials and any linear flaws in pipes. We also take note of all pipe details in the pre-inspection, including pipe lengths and sizes, precise locations and fitting types. This is especially important in an historic redevelopment, as the original systems need to be maintained and preserved as far as possible. Through this process we were able to record and document any faults or defects prior to handover, as well as noting the condition of all pipes for future reference.
Pressure Cleaning
Pressure cleaning, or hydro jetting was a non-invasive way to clear out debris and detritus that has built up in the sewers and storms pipes of Sirius over the years. It is inevitable that a building such as Sirius, which has been in residential use for over 40 years, will need a thorough cleaning to remove decades of buildup, but also to cleanse the pipes of any construction debris from the recent renovations. Because of the age of the building, this required an expert hand to ensure that pressure was used appropriately for the type of pipes on hand. Having decades of experience in the Sydney area, our highly trained professionals were able to complete the pressure cleaning successfully.
Hard to Reach Places
Our work on the Sirius building also included a thorough inspection of all void and hard to reach places checking for signs of water ingress. Water ingress basically means seepage or penetrating damp from outside a building, which can lead to fungal decay, mould, and cosmetic issue like damp patches, paint peeling etc[CB1] .
Relining Services
We were also able to offer pipe relining services, essentially building a new pipe inside an existing pipe that may be compromised or showing signs of damage. Relining is an environmentally friendly, cost effective and efficient way to repair pipes, giving a no-dig solution essential in a complex and preservation-sensitive project like Sirius.
All in a Day’s Work
While the Sirius project was special because of its historical context, complexity and scale, to us, it was also ‘all in a day’s work’. Our team are consummate professionals and will bring the same level of expertise and skill to any and all our projects, whether that’s a blocked kitchen sink in Balgowlah, a backed up toiled in Dee Why or an historic redevelopment on The Rocks!
