Underground hazards: Slight uneven subsidence of foundations caused by earthquakes
In the Taipei Basin and the riverside areas of New Taipei City, such as Sanchong, Luzhou, Wugu, and Xizhi areas where the soil is relatively soft or sandy clay, earthquake shaking will not only destroy the above-ground structure of the building, but also often cause slight "differential settlement" in the foundation of the building. This slight inclination of the foundation will produce huge shear and tensile stresses on the sewage main pipes, septic tanks (sewage treatment tanks) and basement sewage pump sump buried deep in the bottom floor of the building and under the basement RC structure floor. Since underground waterways and septic tanks are mostly made of cement or fiberglass, once broken, sewage and methane will penetrate into the foundation soil and even flow back through cracks in the basement floor, emitting a strong odor. For commercial assets such as office buildings and shopping malls, this is an invisible flaw that directly leads to sharp falls in rents and loss of customers.
Underground septic tanks and sewage main pipes: water leakage and air-tight filling detection
To check whether underground septic tanks and sewage pipelines are damaged, you need to use the "filling pressure maintenance method" and "biogas concentration detection". Plumbing and electrical engineers will first use a pipe plug to seal the outlet end of the sewage pit, then fill the pipeline system and septic tank with water to a specific observation height, and then wait for 24 hours to observe the drop in the water level. If the water level drops significantly, it means the structure is cracked and leaking. At the same time, an all-in-one gas detector is used to measure hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methane (CH4) concentrations in basement distribution rooms and pipes. If the value is abnormally high, professional mechanical and electrical engineering personnel must be immediately arranged to perform structural reinforcement crack grouting (chemical grouting) or partial pipeline renovation to maintain building hygiene and foundation structural safety.
Post-earthquake emergency repair of sewage motor relay and automatic alternating control panel
The basement sewage sump is usually equipped with a dual-circuit sewage pumping motor. The violent vibrations of earthquakes often cause the float switch mounted on the wall of the sewage pit to shift position and get stuck on the edge of the sump, or the contacts of the electromagnetic contactor (Magnetic Contactor) and automatic alternating relay in the distribution box to loosen and burn due to excessive shaking. Plumbing technicians pointed out that when repairing electromechanical equipment after the earthquake, they must first confirm that the alternating control panel is functioning normally, test whether the operating current of the individual motor is within the rated load, and clean the debris and grease on the float switch. Ensuring that the sewage pumping system can operate automatically and alternately 24 hours a day without failure is the first line of electromechanical defense to prevent basement sewage from overflowing and damaging expensive high and low voltage switchboards.
Commercial property asset defense: CapEx maintenance and renovation bargaining chip
For property investors who specialize in acquiring entire old commercial offices and commercial buildings for asset repositioning (Asset Repositioning), the integrity of the underground sewage system after the earthquake is an important bargaining chip in negotiating price reductions. Since the repair of underground septic tanks and culvert pipes involves structural safety and excavation, the construction cost is extremely high (CapEx budgets usually range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars). Entrusting a professional water and electricity inspection team to conduct a complete air tightness, irrigation and endoscopic inspection before the acquisition, and including the damage repair costs into the financial assessment and depreciation, can effectively guarantee the return on investment of the acquisition transaction, and is also a wise move to protect the value of commercial assets.
🇹🇼 Expat Living Note: Home Repairs in Taiwan
If you are an international resident renting an apartment in Taipei, New Taipei, or anywhere in Taiwan:
- Voltage & Electrical Safety: Taiwan standard household voltage is 110V (60Hz). Do not plug 220V imported European/UK appliances directly without a certified step-up transformer.
- Plumbing Terminology: Local plumbers are called 水電 (Shuǐdiàn) and handle both water and electrical repairs.
- Landlord Obligations: Under Article 429 of Taiwan Civil Code, landlords are legally responsible for repairing natural wear and tear (such as hidden wall pipe leaks, water heater faults, or booster pump failures) unless explicitly waived in your lease.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general educational and reference purposes only. For hazardous repairs involving live 220V electrical circuits, main gas lines, or structural wall drilling, always consult certified, licensed technicians. SOSfix disclaims any liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from DIY repair attempts.
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