This week I had a new soil stack installed. I did the "right" thing and had notified the council about the planned work. After the existing pipework had been exposed and a section of new pipe attached to the old clay pipe, I notified the council who said they'd send an inspector around the next morning.
I was told that the inspector would want to see the new below ground pipework and would want to see a pressure test. The hole could then be filled in and there would be a second inspection for the above ground stack pipework.
By the time that the inspector had arrived, the whole external stack was in place and connected up to the house appliances. The inspector agreed that because there was old clay peipework, a pressure test would be problematic and he was satisfied with what he could see had been done. The hole could be filled in with new pipework protected by shingle.
The inspector said he would return at a later date to witness a pressure test of the above ground stack. The above ground pressure would use an airbag to block off the stack at the inspection cover at the base.
It seems to me that the second inspection is entirely pointless. Any above ground leaks will be immediately evident (as one was initially) and the pipework wouldn't really be under any great pressure in normal use. I really don't see the point of pressure testing the above ground stack. The opposite is true for the below ground work where the inspector was content with a visual inspection. The only thing I can think of is that the inspector is paid independently on a per-visit basis.
FWIW the waste pipe was blocked prior to the inspectors arrival and the stack filled with water. It didn't leak until an end cap was pushed out of the pipe by the pressure.
So is this second visit a complete waste of time? Is this above ground pressure test usual?
It's going to be an interesting test since the connected stack hooks up to so many open-ended pipes: sink, bath, kitchen sink, dishwasher, washing mashine and toilet!
Paul