Field of expertise
Underground pipework assessment
Assessing buried networks whose defects stay invisible until the first damage appears.
The problem
Buried pipework is routinely forgotten in building maintenance. A break, a sag or a failed joint can go unnoticed for years and then cause substantial damage in a very short time.
Water escaping from defective pipework gradually washes away the ground around the foundations. It creates voids, encourages differential settlement and often shows itself first as cracking or unexplained damp at the base of a wall.
Tree roots, back-falls resulting from careless laying, a pipe crushed during excavation and the ageing of older materials are among the most frequent causes.
On the narrow plots and extension projects that are common in Luxembourg, networks are frequently diverted or cut into during works, and these changes are not always recorded.
Warning signs
- Backing up and slow drainage: outlets that block repeatedly despite cleaning point to a defect in the network itself.
- Damp at the base of walls or in cellars: an area that stays wet regardless of rainfall suggests a buried leak.
- Localised ground subsidence: a hollow in a driveway, terrace or lawn often follows the line of a pipe.
- Persistent odours: drain smells indicate a loss of seal or a fault in the ventilation of the system.
- Unusual water consumption: an unexplained rise in metered use may reveal a leak on the buried supply pipe.
Our assessment method
Review of the existing network
We gather available drawings, the history of works and the occupants' observations in order to reconstruct the layout and operation of the network.
Technical inspection
Examination of chambers and connections and, where justified, a camera survey allow the defect to be located precisely.
Assessing the consequences
We measure the effect of the leak on the ground, the foundations and the masonry so that works can be prioritised.
Report and recommendations
The report describes the defect, its likely cause, the resulting damage and the repair options available, from lining to replacement.
In which setting
An amicable assessment is particularly useful in co-ownerships or between neighbours, where the question is which network is at fault and who must pay for the repair.
In a dispute with a contractor, a seller or an insurer, the report of a sworn judicial expert provides the technical evidence needed to establish the origin of the damage and its sequence.
Unsure about your building?
Tell us about your situation: we will set out the most appropriate scope of work and arrange the visit as promptly as possible.