Fitting of drain pipes, this is your program plan
Fitting of drain pipes, this is your program plan
Before you undertake DIY plumbing and drains work it is essential to understand the national rules and rules developed by the local authority.
You will have to present detailed plans for the proposed sewage work when you are changing existing sewage system or installing a new sewage system, and also need regular inspections to be undertaken to ensure that the plans are following the local building rules during progressing each phase of the work. In many situations when you are simply replacing broken parts, there is no need for the local authority to be advised.
The water which you see on the surface is basically rain. This surface water can seep into sewers, watercourse and become a part of the sewage system in older housing developments. In a system combining both functions, the rainwater pipes clear out into the dirty water drains through the gully traps that prevent fetid air from sneaking out of the drains. However, modern systems are designed to keep the foul water and the surface water apart. Rainwater and foul water drainage should not be interconnected, however convenient it may seem. The Building Regulation Department will be able to guide you on any details or procedures you may require for repairs or replacement of your drainage.
Of course, the first thing you should do is plan the layout of the waste pipes. The route should be as short and straight as possible, this will help to reduce future maintenance problems and costs. You must avoid making your pipe runs too steep. Use a surveyor’s leveling tool to set out the slope of the drain trench. If you do not have one of these available, establish a datum point and use a hosepipe filled with water to establish levels and calculate the fall from the datum this way.
You will need to see to it that you do not impact on the stability of the building whilst installing your drain ditch. If you are laying a drainage run parallel to the house, you must ensure that any foundations are not undermined.
The pipes should be laid before too long a trench is dug as a new trench can be unstable. The pipes should be laid quickly and the trench back filled after the system has been examined thoroughly and tested as required.
The ditch may need to be supported depending on the depth and soil conditions. Do not take any risks. Be on the safe side and secure the sides of such risky trenches by propping with sheets or boards. Make sure that you leave enough room in the trench for you to work but try to keep it as small as possible. The base of the ditch should be clean and even and free from protruding stones or bricks etc. The base should be good so you may need to import material if the existing soil structuire is not up to the mark.
The pipe present in the ditch should not be supported using bricks or other such materials. This should not be used as employing this type of material as a temporary or permanent pipe support will damage the pipe. Consolidate the bottom with a small roller or rammer and provide grooves in the bed to support the joints properly. The entire drain pipe system has to be uniformly supported by the soil bedding.
When designing your sewage system, it is important to make all parts of the pipework reachable via a set of drain rods should a blockage occur. Thus, a drain route must be as straight as possible between any two points. As a general rule, any change in direction of the pipework should be provided with an inspection chamber to allow rodding access.
DIY plumbing and drainage is within the reach of many DIY fans if you follow these simple rules.