Conference Papers | 2009 Conference Papers

REACTIVE SOILS CAN BE VICIOUS

Des Grevell, State Manager Queensland, Storm Plastics (Qld) Pty Ltd.
Marty Bennett, Master Plumber & Director, Storm Plastics (SA) Pty Ltd

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ABSTRACT

When we talk about reactive soils, we don’t mean reactive soils as in radio–active soils from a nuclear test site or a toxic waste dump.
While that type of soil may be detrimental or even deadly to health the effect of the reactive soils discussed here can be destructive to buildings and the underground pipes and fittings used to service these buildings, be they large commercial buildings or domestic houses, herein we will only discuss the latter.

INTRODUCTION
From the outset, Martin (Marty) Bennett, a Master Plumber and Drainage Contractor with the full support and assistance of his wife Jenny, founded Storm Plastics in 1989. It was in response to the urgent need to overcome what was and still is, a very serious problem for all drainage systems constructed in areas of reactive soils. Of particular concern was how the outcome of soil movement impacted on young couples, first home buyers who had committed their savings and ongoing income towards owning their own home only to be suddenly confronted with damage beyond their monetary means within a short time of moving into their new house.