DRAINAGE PITS
I came home one day and found Mr Murone and his assistant installing two of these drainage pits. Case costs $61.50, grate costs $69.98.
Total cost for two pits: $262.96
These drainage pits are 450 mm x 450 mm. The contract specified 600 mm x 600 mm. Even worse, the grating is specified as suitable only for pedestrian traffic. A car could fall through if it parks on top of it.
To speed things along, I found suppiers of safe 600 mm pits and stronger grates. (This one after installation.) I paid for them out of my pocket, picked up and brought them back to our site.
Total cost: $550.00
But the story isn't over yet.
The outlet pipe in drainage pits should be about 50 mm above the base of the pit. This ensures that there isn't too much water standing in the pit for mosquitoes to breed in.
Mr Murone installed this pit with the outlet about 300 mm above the base.
When I noticed this I politely explained the correct way to install the pit. I compromised by asking him to patch the hole, reverse the pit and re-install the outlet pipe at the correct height. Below this is what he did:
As you can see, despite my request, Mr Murone installed this pit with the outlet 200 mm above the base.
The only advantage I can see in doing it like this is that it means less digging for the trench for the outlet pipe since it isn't as deep underground. And he didn't have to redo the connections to stormwater at the other end of the pipe which you can see here:
Welcome to our mosquito breeding pond.
Murone Pave-Crete Concrete Melbourne Stockland
Murone Pave-Crete Concrete Melbourne Stockland