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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GREASE TRAPS
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GREASE TRAPS 600 300 Vitek AS

If you run a business that discharges large quantities of grease into the drains, you are required to have a grease trap. But what does this mean, and what should you do with it? We provide the answers to everything you need to know about grease traps.

Many people work in businesses that are subject to the requirement to have a grease trap connected to their drainage system. Commercial kitchens in hospitals, canteens, restaurants and even smaller cafés and catering businesses are examples of establishments that are required to have a grease trap.

WHY FAT SEPARATORS ARE SO IMPORTANT

Did you know that grease is classified as hazardous waste? There are good reasons for this, and it is by no means insignificant that a number of procedures governing the handling of grease are required. For example, a grease trap is an important measure to prevent excessive amounts of grease from entering the drainage system, and businesses that discharge large quantities of grease into the drainage system as part of their operations – such as those handling or producing hot food – are therefore required to have a grease trap.

Fat that ends up in the wrong place often causes sewers and drainpipes to become blocked, creating unpleasant problems for you and everyone else connected to the same sewer network. Not only is it unpleasant, but it’s usually quite expensive to sort out once things have gone wrong.

When you pour fat straight down the drain, it will usually flow freely until it reaches a point further down the pipework, where the temperatures are lower and the fat solidifies. There, it builds up as an increasingly thick layer on the inside of the pipe walls and significantly reduces the flow capacity – until the drain becomes blocked. Then you’ve got a problem.

HOW THE GREASE TRAP WORKS

The grease trap works in such a way that when you pour fatty cooking residues down the sink, they pass through the grease trap, which causes the fat and water to separate. Fat is lighter than water and will therefore float to the top, with the water at the bottom. The water will therefore flow on into the drain, whilst the grease remains in the separator until a waste collection service arrives to collect it.

 

Photo: Odin Maskin

 

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF

As the business owner, you are responsible for ensuring that the grease trap functions correctly. It is important that the grease trap maintains the correct temperature. The ideal temperature for separating water and grease in the machine is 41 degrees at the inlet to the grease trap and 30 degrees in the outlet pipes.

There are also certain items that must under no circumstances be disposed of in the grease trap. Deep-frying oil solidifies more quickly than ordinary oil and must therefore be disposed of in other ways, as must waste water from sanitary facilities, dishwashers, oil-contaminated waste water, cooling water and surface water.

HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING A GREASE TRAP

The installation of a grease trap must be documented, and this must be carried out by authorised professionals. It’s a good idea to have thought through where you can install the grease trap. The location must be dry and free from the risk of freezing, and it must be easily accessible for regular emptying and maintenance.

Contact a company that offers grease trap emptying services and arrange a contract for emptying and maintenance. VITEK has extensive experience in emptying and managing grease traps and can guide you through the process.

THE RULES YOU MUST FOLLOW

After a period of disposing of fatty waste, it will naturally become necessary to empty the grease trap of grease. The rules on this vary from council to council.

The simplest thing to do is therefore to contact your local authority to get a full overview of the rules that apply to you. It is also the local authority that must hold the documentation relating to the installation of the grease trap, and they will then register it before you can start using it.

VITEK provides services for the emptying of grease traps in Bergen and the surrounding area (Hordaland).

On this page, you can find out more about the laws and regulations concerning grease traps in Bergen municipality.

Do you have any further questions, or do you need to book an appointment to have your grease trap emptied? Please get in touch with us for a no-obligation chat and a competitive quote.

PIPE RENEWAL IN HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
PIPE RENEWAL IN HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 2560 1920 Vitek AS

Renovating pipes doesn’t have to be complicated – just use pipe renewal! Here you’ll find the information you need to ensure that pipe replacement in your housing co-operative goes as smoothly as possible.

Pipe lining is a method of pipe rehabilitation that is well suited to the vast majority of pipework networks, both private and public. It is, however, particularly well suited to housing cooperatives, where there are many and often complex pipework systems. Pipe renewal is a rehabilitation method that works just as well as replacing the pipes with brand new ones. Here, we provide you with all the information you need about pipe renewal in housing cooperatives. At the bottom of the article, you will also find a video that illustrates the process in a simple way.

 

WHY CHOOSE PIPE RENOVATION RATHER THAN COMPLETELY NEW PIPES IN THE HOUSING CO-OP?

Pipe renewal in the housing co-operative is quick, efficient and can save you a great deal of money. If you opt for pipe renewal, both the building and the residents of the housing co-operative will benefit from this efficient and gentle approach.

By choosing pipe renewal as the rehabilitation method in the housing co-operative, residents avoid having to move out for long periods, being bothered by disruptive noise from excavation work, or having to break up walls and floors in their flats. Pipe renewal requires far fewer and less invasive interventions than replacing existing pipes with new ones, and costs are therefore kept low.

Pipe renewal involves lining the inside of the existing pipe with what we call a liner. The pipe’s internal diameter is therefore reduced by a few millimetres, and some people therefore believe that this will reduce the pipes’ capacity. This is a myth we can dispel, as the truth is that the inside of the pipes will become so smooth and clean that water and dirt will flow through more efficiently than ever, significantly increasing the capacity compared to before the pipe renewal.

WHEN IS IT TIME TO RENOVATE PIPES IN A HOUSING CO-OP?

VITEK specialises in the refurbishment of pipework in housing cooperatives, and we are often asked when it is necessary to replace the pipes. This is a decision that the housing co-operative’s board must make. The board is responsible for ensuring that the communal pipework and installations running through the housing co-operative and into the ground are properly maintained.

If the buildings in the housing co-operative are more than 40 years old, it is absolutely essential to carry out a pipework inspection. The expected lifespan of pipes is 40 to 50 years, depending to some extent on the quality of the pipes and how well they have been maintained over the years. The condition of the pipes is also affected by movement in the building, and in large blocks of flats and older housing cooperatives there is usually a great deal of movement throughout the seasons. This means that housing cooperatives which have not refurbished their pipework over the last 40 years may be in a precarious situation. In other words, delaying action can have costly consequences that require more extensive measures.

TIPS ON HOW TO PROCEED

When the renovation of pipes and drainage systems is under consideration in a housing co-operative, you should contact specialists to carry out a comprehensive inspection of the condition of the pipework. They will then be able to recommend the solution best suited to your housing co-operative.

Many chairpersons of housing co-operatives may be reluctant to tackle plumbing issues within the co-operative. We find that this is because they are not confident that they have sufficient knowledge in this area and would rather «wait it out» until the next person takes over as chair. This is not a good idea and could end up proving costly.

As a preventative measure, it is a good idea to advise residents in the housing co-operative on how to maintain the pipes in their flats. These can be simple measures, such as not pouring cooking fat and other food waste down the drain. Here are some great tips on what to do with fat you want to get rid of.

Another useful tip is to consider pipe refurbishment or replacement in conjunction with other measures that need to be carried out in the housing association. It may be possible to combine several of the activities to be carried out and thereby save resources.

CONTACT US FOR A NO-OBLIGATION INSPECTION OF THE PIPES IN YOUR HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE

VITEK has carried out refurbishment work on many housing cooperatives. The risk of costly consequences is greater for internal pipework in private homes than for public pipework networks, as a great deal of shoddy and substandard work has been carried out in previous years. There is no reason to delay your pipework inspection any longer – get in touch with us for an inspection and a quote, and we guarantee the job will be done properly

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PIPE RENEWAL AS A CONCRETE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE IN THE TRANSPORT SECTOR
PIPE RENEWAL AS A CONCRETE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE IN THE TRANSPORT SECTOR 2560 1810 Vitek AS

PIPE RENEWAL GIVES YOU NEW PIPES WITHOUT DISRUPTING TRAFFIC

Pipe rehabilitation has some clear advantages over traditional pipe replacement. As it takes less time and involves minimal digging and earthworks, it is more cost-effective and far gentler on the environment.

The film below shows that pipe renewal can be carried out whilst traffic continues as normal. This means that traffic queues are reduced or eliminated altogether. In this way, one also avoids inconvenient diversions via roads and railway lines that are not designed to handle heavy traffic.

 

PIPE RENEWAL AS A FORM OF PROACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL WORK

Sewer pipe rehabilitation beneath streets, roads, squares and buildings has been carried out since the 1970s. The methods and products have evolved considerably since then. Trenchless methods, also known as NoDig, have saved pipeline owners enormous sums of money since then.

If we set aside the purely financial benefits of pipe renewal, there is no doubt that this also has a direct positive impact on the environment. Transporting soil, stone, asphalt and other heavy materials requires heavy goods vehicles. The heavier the transport, the greater the increase in emissions of environmentally harmful CO2. In addition, more traffic jams resulting from diversions and roadworks will lead to increased emissions and wear and tear on minor roads that are not designed to cope with the increased traffic. Increased traffic also poses a threat to the safety of pedestrians along what are essentially meant to be peaceful residential areas and routes to school.

The film above provides a good example of how we can renew pipes without disrupting traffic. Our infrastructure is an integral part of our society, and it makes no difference whether vehicles are powered by electricity, petrol, diesel or anything else – pipe renewal is cost-effective, economically advantageous and causes minimal disruption, compared to digging up the ground to replace and repair pipes.

 

 

 

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ARE YOU PUTTING OFF YOUR PIPE CHECK? THAT’S A BAD IDEA.
ARE YOU PUTTING OFF YOUR PIPE CHECK? THAT’S A BAD IDEA. 800 400 Vitek AS

Checking the pipes isn’t at the top of most people’s list of things to do at home, but the consequences can be serious if you neglect it completely. We’ll explain why you mustn’t put off checking your pipes!

A pipe inspection can save you a lot of money. Over the years, all pipes build up a layer of grease, chemicals and food residues. This build-up will only increase over time, and most of us aren’t particularly good at thinking about maintenance and preventing blocked pipes in our day-to-day lives.

If you carry out a pipe inspection, you’ll be able to monitor the condition of your pipes and carry out any necessary repairs, so that you can go to bed at night with a clear conscience and without worrying that something might happen to your pipes. After all, you are responsible for ensuring that the drainage pipes from your house out to the municipal mains – also known as the service pipe – are in good condition.

 

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR PIPES CHECKED?

Pipe inspections aren’t something you need to carry out every year. It’s more than enough to check your pipes once a decade. Feel free to ask local professionals when you should carry out your next pipe inspection, as this may depend on various factors in your area.

If you have taken over a property that is more than 40 years old, it is advisable to have the pipework inspected, unless there is documentation to show that this has recently been carried out.

A PLUMBER CAN’T DO THE SAME JOB

Checking your pipes regularly is an important part of owning a home, and properly functioning pipes are essential for your comfort at home. A plumber can help you with many problems that arise with your pipes, but a plumber is first and foremost an expert in fitting, repairing, installing or adapting plumbing systems – which a pipe inspection is not part of.

A pipe inspector, on the other hand, can carry out several of the tasks that a plumber is often called out to do. If you have a blocked drain or a blocked toilet, it is a pipe inspector you should call.

THESE SIGNS INDICATE THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR PIPES INSPECTED

  1. There are gurgling sounds
    Gurgling noises from your drains are one of the first signs of a problem. The noises occur when the water has to displace the air in the pipe in order to flow through, and are caused by there being far too little space. This is particularly common in kitchens, where a lot of grease ends up in the drain. Read also: Has your sink started gurgling?.
  2. There’s a nasty smell
    When a pipe becomes completely or partially blocked, bacteria thrive. Having the pipes flushed is absolutely essential to remove the unpleasant odour coming up from the drain, as well as to prevent further damage to the pipes.
  3. You have a property with an older pipework system
    Pipes, and their quality, have changed considerably over the years. In older homes, the condition of the pipes varies greatly depending on when the system was installed and how owners have maintained them over the years. A pipe inspection will tell you exactly what condition your pipes are in, and if the situation is so bad that flushing the pipes isn’t enough – fortunately, pipe rehabilitation is an excellent solution. In many cases, pipe rehabilitation means you won’t need to replace the old pipes.
    See also: 7 good reasons to choose pipe renewal
  4. The drain often gets blocked
    If your drains often become blocked and you keep resorting to Plumbo time and time again, you’re not solving the actual problem and are potentially exposing the pipes to further damage. Plumbo and other drain cleaning products are very harsh on the pipes and can cause damage and leaks. Call for a pipe inspection, as your pipes will most likely need flushing – or perhaps even a more extensive repair.

PIPE INSPECTIONS MUST BE CARRIED OUT BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

There are many providers of pipe inspection and pipe jetting services on the market, but not all of them operate with the same level of professionalism. Check that the pipe inspection company in question is a member of Rørinspeksjon Norge (RIN). VITEK aims to help improve safety and provide accurate information to those who need it. VITEK is also an established specialist in all services relating to pipes and drainage systems, with specialist expertise in pipe cleaning, inspection and renewal.

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN YOU’RE RENOVATING
THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN YOU’RE RENOVATING 800 400 Vitek AS

Are you planning to renovate? If so, there are plenty of pitfalls to watch out for. Here, we give you an introduction to the most important things you need to know when renovating your home.

When you’re renovating, there are lots of rules to bear in mind – especially when it comes to wet rooms, water and drainage. Even if you disregard the regulations, there are still plenty of pitfalls you can fall into. Avoid making a major renovation blunder – we’ll give you some pointers on the most important things to know when you’re renovating.

WHAT CAN YOU DO YOURSELF, AND WHEN DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL?

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to have a certain degree of self-awareness when it comes to your own skills. Are you skilled enough to be confident that the property you’re renovating will actually turn out well in the end? Most people are capable of painting, filling, fitting skirting boards or wallpapering. There are still some tasks where it’s a good idea to get help – and for some, you’re actually required to get help.

For more complex renovation work, such as replacing the electrical system, altering load-bearing structures or refurbishing a bathroom, it is essential to use professionals. This ensures that everything is carried out in accordance with laws and regulations. If you haven’t got everything in order and something goes wrong, there’s a strong chance that your insurance company won’t want to cover the damage. This is particularly true if the cause was a fault in the electrical system or was related to wet rooms and pipework.

It is a good idea to follow the rule that authorised professionals should be used for anything to do with electricity and water. Make sure the company can provide a certificate of compliance, confirming that the work has been carried out in accordance with current regulations and safety requirements. You will need this documentation when selling your property, or for your insurance company should an accident occur.

GET INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY IN ADVANCE

Before you start the renovation – whether you’ve decided to do it yourself or have hired tradespeople – you’ll benefit greatly from finding out as much as possible in advance. It’s usually a good idea to get answers to the following questions:

Where are the pipes located?

  • Do they go through any walls you need to watch out for?
  • Are there any plans of your home?
  • How old are the pipes?
  • Where are the electrical courses held?
  • What condition is the fuse box in?
  • What materials are the walls, floors and ceilings made of?
  • Where are the load-bearing structures?
  • If you are unsure, you can ask professionals for help.

DON’T BE CARELESS WITH THE WET ROOMS!

Perhaps the room most at risk during a refurbishment is the bathroom. We at VITEK all too often come across DIY solutions where people have got in over their heads or tried to save money. If you’re not a qualified tradesperson or don’t really know what you’re doing, problems will usually arise, such as rapid wear and tear or leaks that are difficult to detect. Problems in a bathroom are usually very expensive to rectify, and the damage can be extensive before you even realise it.

And by all means – don’t use undeclared labour. It involves a high level of risk, and you won’t be able to prove that the work was carried out by qualified professionals. This could cost you dearly when you put your property up for sale or wish to claim on your insurance.

CHECKING THE PIPES IS A REASONABLY GOOD LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

If you’re planning to renovate your bathroom or kitchen, you’ll need to consider whether you’ll have to replace the pipes or whether pipe refurbishment is a suitable option for you. If you live in a housing co-operative, it is particularly important to check with the management committee whether there are any plans to replace the pipes or carry out refurbishment work under their auspices in the near future. There are also specific regulations that apply if you wish to carry out work on pipes that run through the walls between several residential units – you’ll often need to submit an application to obtain permission to work on these. Consult professionals to find out what applies in your case!

To determine whether you are eligible for pre-renewal, you will need to contact a pipe renewal company to arrange an inspection. During the site visit, they will assess the condition of your pipes and determine what can be done. Pipe renewal requires the pipes to meet a certain standard, but it would take quite a lot for it not to be possible to renew all or part of the work you wish to have done. Pipe renewal is a very practical and simple way of «laying» pipes, with the same lifespan as brand-new pipes.

Get in touch with us today for a friendly, no-obligation chat.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RENOVATING SERVICE PIPES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RENOVATING SERVICE PIPES 2560 1353 Vitek AS

As a homeowner, you are responsible for the service pipe – the pipe that connects your house to the mains network. Avoid major expenses – opt for pipe renewal before problems arise.

Local authorities across the country have long since realised that renovating service pipes is absolutely essential to reduce leaks in the pipework network. Nevertheless, it is the homeowner who is responsible for carrying this out. The problem is that almost half of all homeowners are not up to date or aware of the condition of their own service pipes, or whether they need repairing.

The local authority will therefore issue a notice to rectify the situation if you do not meet the requirements, by which time the damage to the pipes may already be so extensive that it will cost you a great deal. To avoid significant expenses, you should therefore opt for pipe renewal before this happens.

BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY WHEN IT COMES TO PIPE INSPECTION

VITEK sees cases every day where some of the problems – and consequently the costs incurred – could have been avoided if pipe renewal had been carried out just a few years earlier. As a homeowner, it is therefore never too early to have your pipes inspected and assessed. Anyone can do this, but it is particularly important for those of you living in a property that is 20 years old or older.

A full inspection is not always necessary. During a pipe inspection, a comprehensive check of all the pipes is carried out to determine the need for repairs, but sometimes the extent of the damage and the required work can be easily assessed during a preliminary inspection. We can do this during a simple site visit and then provide you with a quote for pipe renewal.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PIPES

Before carrying out pipe renewal, you need to check what the existing pipes are made of. Different materials have been used at various stages over the past few decades, depending on the raw materials and technology available at the time. Both cast iron and plastic in various forms are widely used. Pipe renewal can be carried out on virtually all types of pipes. Pipes can be renewed at bends (where the pipe changes direction) and where the pipe dimensions change. The fact that other pipes are connected to the branch pipe is not a problem either. The connection point is then opened using a robot that mills a hole.

Pipe rehabilitation has been carried out since the 1970s and is therefore nothing new. Vitek has been rehabilitating pipes for almost 40 years, and the volume of work has increased – and continues to increase – all the time. The durability and guarantees are equivalent to those of brand-new pipes.

It is important that the assessment of which method to use is carried out by professionals. Pipe renewal is not a quick and easy solution; it requires knowledge and experience, as well as the right product and method for the specific pipe to be renewed.

TENDERS AND CONTRACTS

Feel free to obtain several quotes for pipe renewal work. Remember to check for certificates of competence and specific accreditations, which indicate that the company is reputable and has the necessary expertise to ensure a good result.

Here at VITEK, we are members of Rørinspeksjon Norge, maintain the highest professional standards and have extensive experience and in-depth knowledge. You are welcome to contact us at any time for a no-obligation chat, an assessment and to draw up a plan on how we can best assist you.

7 GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE PIPE RENEWAL
7 GOOD REASONS TO CHOOSE PIPE RENEWAL 445 280 Vitek AS

VITEK are experts in pipe renewal and rehabilitate thousands of metres of pipework every year. Here is an overview of why we work so hard to encourage more people to choose trenchless methods when rehabilitating water and sewerage pipes.

Pipe rehabilitation involves refurbishing water and sewerage pipes without replacing them. This offers many benefits, with the aim of contributing to Norway’s infrastructure in a smarter, more economical and more sustainable way.

Here are the reasons why we are so passionate about no-dig methods:

  • It saves time
    • By avoiding the whole process of digging up pipes and filling in the holes afterwards, you will save a considerable number of working hours.
  • It’s more economical
    • Time is money. Pipe rehabilitation is far more cost-effective than traditional methods of replacing pipes. Experience shows that the cost is between 20 and 80 per cent lower when trenchless methods are used.
  • Just as good as traditional pipe replacement
    • A refurbished pipe has the same service life as a new pipe. The liner used in the work has properties and quality equivalent to those of new pipes.
  • Fewer environmental impacts
    • Less impact on the natural environment in terms of pollution, erosion and the like
    • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from construction machinery and other vehicles
    • Reduces emissions caused by traffic jams and detours on smaller, often more dangerous, roadsContact us about pipe renewal
  • No digging required!
    • Replacing pipes that run beneath several properties and cross under roads and railway lines will require the closure of large areas and the suspension of all traffic. Imagine roadworks on the E6 that would result in diversions lasting for months – motorists certainly wouldn’t appreciate that
    • Residents in the building and the surrounding areas will be affected to a much lesser extent by noise, dust, road closures and interruptions to the water and sewerage supply
    • Pipelines running beneath landscaped green spaces will mean that the garden will have to be dug up and, in the worst case, the landscaped garden will be destroyed.
  • The law states that you must
    • The Public Procurement Act stipulates that the option which takes the greatest account of life-cycle costs, universal design and the environmental impact of the procurement must be chosen.
    • The Neighbourhood Act states that it is unlawful to cause a nuisance to a neighbouring property if it is possible to avoid doing so. In many cases, pipelines run across other people’s property, and this Act must therefore be taken into account.
  • Residents of houses and flats do not need to move out
    • A quicker process that does not require breaking up floors or knocking down walls means that, in the vast majority of cases, residents of houses and housing co-operatives do not need to move out whilst the work is being carried out.

To summarise, it is important to emphasise that no two projects are the same. The time taken, the cost and the disruption caused by a pipe renewal project will vary. Factors such as the condition of the existing pipes, the number of connections and the location will all have an impact on the work.

Please get in touch to arrange a site visit and receive a no-obligation quote for pipe renewal.

 

HOW TO REMOVE THE OIL TANK
HOW TO REMOVE THE OIL TANK 1948 1256 Vitek AS

The Government has decided that, from 2020, the use of fossil fuel oil for heating will be prohibited and all underground oil tanks must be removed. It has also been decided that the owner of the property is responsible for ensuring this is done.

To speed up the process of removing as many oil tanks as possible by 2020, Enova offers financial support if you remove your oil tank and, at the same time, switch to a climate-friendly energy source for your heating.

Apart from the financial support, there are several good reasons to remove oil-fired boilers and tanks. You’ll be making a positive contribution to the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, you won’t have to worry about oil leaks, newer heating solutions save money, and, not least, once the ban comes into force in 2020, you will no longer receive financial support.

Here you will find an introduction to how to go about removing your oil tank, as well as how you can receive support from Enova.

START BY GATHERING AS MUCH INFORMATION AS YOU CAN

Are you unsure whether you have an old oil tank buried on your property? Contact your local council – they have a register of all buried tanks.

Furthermore, you must gather as much information as possible about the tank. This can be difficult to track down, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t find answers to everything. The information is primarily intended to ensure that the work can be carried out as safely and efficiently as possible. What you should try to find out is:

  • The age of the tank
  • What the tank is made of
  • How big is the tank?
  • Where it is located on the property
  • Where the pipes and cables are located
  • When it last underwent a condition check

CALL VITEK TO GET THE JOB DONE

At VITEK, we have qualified professionals on our books who can carry out the entire job for you safely and efficiently.

Some people might say that you can save money by digging out the tank yourself, but this is something we at VITEK advise against. There is a risk of damaging the tank, particularly if it is old and fragile. In the event of damage or a leak from the tank, the work will be far more extensive and the costs will increase considerably.

Emptying, cleaning and removing oil tanks are tasks that require specialist expertise. VITEK naturally possesses this expertise, which is a prerequisite for being approved as a contractor for this work.

Watch a video about the removal of an oil tanker:

 

REPLACE THE OIL TANK WITH A RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE

To receive financial support from Enova, the work involved in removing oil-fired boilers and tanks must be carried out by a registered company, and documentation of the costs must be provided in accordance with Norwegian laws and regulations. VITEK meets all these requirements and ensures that you receive all the necessary documentation.

Once the oil tank has been removed, you must install a heating solution that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. In some cases, your oil tank may be in such good condition that it can remain in place and be used for fossil-free oil heating, such as bio-oil. Before the tank can be used for this purpose, it must be inspected and cleaned.

For use as a new heat source, you can choose from the following: an air-to-water heat pump, a liquid-to-water heat pump, a wood-burning stove with a water jacket, or a wood-fired boiler. Please note that air-to-air heat pumps are not included in this scheme.

SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITY AND ENOVA

To have your oil tank removed, you can expect to pay between 10,000 and 30,000 kr. In special cases, where the tank is difficult to access or in very poor condition, it may end up costing more. The Enova grant is intended to cover part of the costs you have incurred in connection with the removal of the tank. You can also apply for a grant to remove the oil-fired boiler if it is located at your holiday home.

Once VITEK has removed your oil tank and you have installed a new renewable heating source, you should register your costs with Enova. You must ensure you attach all documentation relating to the work and details of the new heating source. Once your application has been processed by Enova, you will be given the option to have the money paid out immediately or to have it included as part of your tax return. Please also note that details of the work carried out will be sent to your local authority. This is always included in VITEK’s quotes.

Here you can find an up-to-date overview of the subsidy rates for the removal of an oil tank and the installation of a new heating system.

HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES, PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMERCIAL OPERATORS HAVE THEIR OWN SUPPORT SCHEMES

There are specific support schemes for housing associations, co-operative housing societies and commercial operators. One thing that applies to everyone living in a detached house, a housing co-operative or running a business is that the oil tank must be dug up and removed – and it is the owner of the property or building who is responsible.

Do you have any further questions, or do you need VITEK’s help to safely remove your oil tank? Please get in touch with us for a friendly chat.

HOW MUCH DOES PIPE RENOVATION COST?
HOW MUCH DOES PIPE RENOVATION COST? 1280 853 Vitek AS

More and more people are realising the benefits of pipe rehabilitation. As well as involving little or no digging, it is a cost-effective way to repair your pipes. Many people wonder how much pipe renewal might end up costing, so we’ll take a closer look at this here.

Pipe rehabilitation is a so-called trenchless method of repairing pipes. This is fantastic in itself and offers many advantages. However, there is one factor that is even more important to most people, and that is the cost.

PRICES WILL VARY DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF PROPERTY

Are your pipes damaged or about to be? If so, where you live will make a difference. There is, in fact, a difference depending on whether you live in a detached house or a housing co-operative.

If the pipework in a housing co-operative is in poor condition or damaged, the potential extent of the damage is far greater than in a detached house. The pipework systems are often extensive, and many flats and families are affected even if the damage has occurred in just one flat. Such damage is also far more time-consuming and risky to repair once a problem has arisen.

The total cost for a housing co-operative will therefore depend on how many flats there are in the block, but travel time and set-up costs remain the same regardless. In other words, the costs are shared amongst the residents, so the price per person is not necessarily higher than for a house owner.

Pipe renewal in a detached house is a job we can usually complete in a day. In most cases, it is only the service pipe – that is, the pipe running from the house to the mains – that is replaced. Remember that you own, and are responsible for, the service pipe all the way to the mains, even if it lies outside your property boundary.

CHEAPER AND EASIER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE

When problems arise, many people – whether they live in a housing co-operative or a detached house – will wonder whether they need to replace the pipes. This can be both expensive and time-consuming, and overall, pipe renewal will be a far quicker and cheaper way to sort out the problems.

Pipe renewal will also cause minimal disruption to residents. By opting for pipe renewal rather than replacing the pipes, residents will not need to move out. Nor will there be any damage to the house or garden that would entail additional costs to repair afterwards.

PIPE RENEWAL IS A ONE-OFF COST

Pipe rehabilitation is more cost-effective than replacing the pipes using traditional methods. However, to say that it costs half as much, or 75%, is still too general a statement. To illustrate: an excavator operator who is to dig in the garden to lay pipes needs to know the length of the pipe, how deep it lies, whether there are any connections, whether it crosses a neighbour’s property, whether soil needs to be removed, and so on – before he can say how much it will cost. Similarly, we need to know the condition of the pipes, their length, the number of connections and any changes in direction. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that it is more cost-effective than traditional pipe replacement.

The longer you’ve put off dealing with your plumbing problems, the more expensive it’s likely to be. It’s never worth putting off this sort of work. The consequences of delaying the job will hit your wallet much harder – which should be convincing enough for you to take it seriously.

It is also important to view pipe replacement as a one-off investment. Painting your house is an ongoing process that costs both time and money at regular intervals. Pipe replacement, on the other hand, is a one-off investment. Once it’s done, it’s something you won’t have to think about again.

BOOK A VIEWING

The easiest way to find out how much it will cost to replace the pipes in your home is to give us at Vitek a call. We’ll then arrange a no-obligation site visit, during which we’ll provide you with a specific quote and a time estimate for the project.

We want to make the process as smooth as possible for you as a customer. That is why it is extremely important to us at Vitek that we maintain good communication throughout. There should be no ambiguity or surprises, either in the course of events or in the final bill.

Film about pipe renewal in a housing co-operative

Film about the renewal of a service pipe

MORE INSTALLATIONS WITH DGAI
MORE INSTALLATIONS WITH DGAI 1366 619 Vitek AS

Vitek and Vitek Denmark have carried out a number of installations in recent weeks. Components ranging in size from 380 mm to 700 mm have been installed using various insertion and curing methods. DGAI (Dual Gland Air Injection) was the most frequently used method, although retraction was also employed. The installations have gone entirely according to plan, and the customer reports that they are very satisfied.

Ole-Gunnar Thue at Vitek says that, over three days last week, 700 metres of the project’s total 1,200 metres were installed. He points out that the collaboration with our Danish colleagues is going very well and that installation using DGAI is a very efficient and effective method. “Our teams are working very well together, which is good, as there’s a lot to do,” says Thue.

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