Major UK insurers refusal to acknowledge ‘wear and tear’ in policies could cost "thousands", says company
Buildings erected in the second half of the 20th century are facing a potential “drainage disaster” due to poor pipe construction, according to a drainage inspection company.
Auger has said that cheap materials popular during the building boom of the post-war period and into the 1970s are to blame for an increasing number of collapsed drainage systems.
“The damage could cost commercial developers and the taxpayer thousands due to a refusal by some major UK insurers to acknowledge ‘wear and tear’ in their policy documents," the company said.
Peter Lawson, business development manager, said: “The problem revolves around the extensive use of ‘pitch fibre’ drainage pipes laid between the 50s and 70s. The material was much cheaper than the clay pipes that had previously been the standard, but they had a shelf life of around 40 years due a bad reaction to hot water, oils and fat.
“The result is that now, more than four decades on, pitch fibre pipes are essentially giving up the ghost in many areas.”
Pitch fibre is created by impregnating wood fibre with coal tar to create a more lightweight and pliable material in comparison with fired clay.
Auger said that if the signs of pitch fibre wear and tear are diagnosed early, a re-lining process can increase the lifespan and avoid the costly process of laying completely new drains.
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