Three things to know
- Identify the damaged part and the intended result.
- Separate specialist design from construction work.
- Plan machinery access and material handling in advance.
Contents of this guide
Start with the damage and its location
Send an overview and safely taken details of the damage. Identify the bank, embankment, overflow or channel involved and attach available documents. SORTI undertakes construction and groundworks on ponds and waterways to an agreed brief. Photographs alone cannot define the repair design or every approval needed.
Gather documents and establish approval status
Provide available drawings, ownership details and existing operating conditions. Identify the designer and the status of relevant discussions. Calling something a “repair” or owning it privately does not establish the requirements for the actual intervention.
Clarify the particular proposal with its designer, the relevant authorities and, where applicable, the watercourse manager. Pass available documentation and the outcome of discussions to the contractor. Ownership alone does not determine repair conditions.
Separate professional design from execution
The design should define the intervention, material specifications and other site requirements. The work quotation then states what the contractor provides and what must be ready beforehand. Selecting machinery cannot replace the design.
SORTI lists water-area and watercourse repairs, stone protection, channel paving and spillway-edge repairs to an agreed brief. This does not automatically include drawings, specialist assessments or obtaining all consents.
Plan access and working conditions beside water
Photograph access from a safely accessible area and describe known constraints. A bank or dam cannot automatically be assumed suitable for heavy equipment. Assessment and work organisation belong in the particular job information.
If preparation includes changing water levels, diversion or separating the work area, identify who handles this and under which documents. Define it separately in the quotation. Use photographs of other locations as examples, not as a method design.
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
| Preparation | What to clarify for the quotation |
|---|---|
| Defect | Location, description and available history |
| Design and discussions | Responsible person, documents and preparation status |
| Access | Suitable route and working area |
| Materials and deposits | Supply, handling and confirmed destination |
| Handover | Completion, checks and subsequent work |
Distinguish materials from removed deposits
For specified stone protection, establish the supply specification and handling requirements. Removed deposits need their properties and appropriate handling route established. Spreading them around the water cannot be assumed.
When removing deposits, state whether the extent and destination have been established. Identify missing information before booking transport. “Clean the pond” alone does not state the material, quantity or destination.
What to send and expect from the first discussion
Send the exact location, observed defect, wide and close-up photographs and available documents. Include access, water conditions and the designer’s contact. State which documents are complete and which are being prepared.
The initial discussion clarifies execution: what work is requested, what must happen first and which information is missing for a quotation. Establishing the cause of a dam defect requires the appropriate specialist; it is not the outcome of pricing photographs.
Frequently asked questions
Are photographs enough for a dam repair quotation?
They are an initial input, not an assessment of cause or safety. Necessary specialist information depends on the situation.
Is every repair routine maintenance?
The name used in an enquiry does not establish that. The actual proposal and requirements need clarification with the responsible people.
Do you automatically supply a design and all consents?
This guide concerns preparing execution work. Design, specialist assessments and other activities cannot be assumed included without express agreement.
Can we copy the water arrangements in another project photograph?
No. Each location requires its own information and method. Images are examples rather than universal technical instructions.
Work from our waterway gallery
Send the information for your planned repair
Include a description, photographs and any available design. Identify the responsible person and the preparation status.