Property owners throughout Australia often overlook the importance of pressure tests, however they can be a highly valuable process to undertake. In fact, they are essentially imperative for property owners looking to buy, sell, remodel or build a new property in Australia.

Pipeline testing is essential for ensuring that pipelines are air tight and don’t present potential hazards.

Let’s take a more detailed look at this important process and why your property may require a thorough testing.

What are PSL pressure tests?

PSL pressure tests are performed on private sewer lines (PSL) to ensure that the line is air and watertight. There are regulations in place to ensure that PSL pressure tests meet Australian standards, and PSLs must be free from defects and watertight.

What are the different PSL tests?

There are two main types of pressure tests, including:

1. Low pressure air test: Low pressure air tests are conducted by applying pressurised air into the sewer lateral before measuring the sewer’s air pressure. These are probably the most common form of pressure test as they are easy to conduct and environmentally-friendly.

2. Hydrostatic water test: This less common PSL pressure test is conducted by filling a sewer lateral with water to determine its piping strength, potential leaks and pressure tightness.

How are these tests conducted?

There are two different methods for conducting each test:

Low pressure air test

These are conducted by applying pressurised air into the sewer and then allowing the air pressure to stabilise. Once this occurs, the air pressure is then reduced to 2.5 to 3.0 PSI - this is when the test can begin.

The air pressure cannot drop to below 1 PSI in five minutes to achieve a testing grade.

Hydrostatic water test

These tests are conducted in between cleanouts. The hydrostatic water test is conducted by connecting the building cleanout with piping and filling the standpipe with a pressure head of 5 feet above the highest point of the property’s PSL. The test can begin once the standpipe is filled to the necessary level.

The lateral cannot not undergo any visible water loss at the top of the standpipe to receive a passing grade.

When do properties require PSL tests?

Commercial, residential and industrial property owners should consider the value of PSI pressure tests. Australian sewer lines must be compliant with regulatory standards and this is where PSL pressure tests are incredibly valuable.

You may seek to conduct a pressure test on the property if:

1. You are building or remodelling your current property.

2. You are seeking to purchase a new property or sell your current one.

3. You are seeking to alter the size of your water meter.

It’s an important act of compliance

You should never overlook the importance of testing your current sewer line or one on a potential property purchase. You absolutely never know when a sewer line is not compliant, after all, how could you? They are buried down beneath the ground.

Therefore, the only way to ensure they are compliant and aren’t susceptible to costly repairs in the future is to test them via either a state of the art low pressure air test or hydrostatic water test.

Of course, low pressure air tests are the most convenient, eco-friendly way to conduct such a test, as they don’t require water to be performed. Either way, they will provide you with the information you need on whether the line is compliant or not!