Installing of sewers, this is the programme plan
Installing of sewers, this is the programme plan
The first thing that you will need to think about when undertaking any DIY plumbing and drainage are the rules issued by your Local Authority.
You need to explain your work plan in detail to the authority if you wish to install a new drainage system or alter an existing one, the officials will then go through the plan to check if it is in accordance with the rules. In many situations when you are simply replacing damaged parts, there is no need for the local authority to be informed.
The water which you see on the surface is basically rain. It can drain out through a soakaway, watercourse, surface water sewer or, especially in older houses, into the dirty water sewage pipes. 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 with the new drainage systems, the foul and the surface water can be kept apart. Foul water should never be connected to surface water drainage system with any new drainage development you undertake. When in doubt about the how the modern sewage system works, consult the Building Control Department.
Before you begin, you will need to plan the route of the waste pipes. Keeping the path as straight and short as possible will be the main concept behind the design of the waste passageways or pipes. You must avoid making your pipe runs too steep. A surveyor’ site level should be used to work out the fall of a drainpipe. In case you don’t have a surveyors site level, choose a datum point and then a water filled hose can be used to calculate the fall from there.
You will need to guarantee that you do not impact on the stability of the building whilst installing your drain trench. If placing a sewer alongside the building, you need to make sure any foundations are not weakened.
Do not dig the trench too long before laying the pipe when installing a new drainage system. You should attempt to get the pipes laid as soon as possible and, after inspection and checking, you should back fill the ditch.
Be wary of the depth and soil conditions and if necessary add extra support to the ditch. You should avoid any risks with this project. It is better to provide support to the trench walls than allowing the trench to collapse. Make sure that you leave enough room in the trench for you to work but try to keep it as small as possible. Ensure that the ditch bottom is flat and free of stones, tree roots and soft spots. You may need to import a suitable material for the base of the trench if the existing material is unsuitable.
Pipework must be uniformly supported by the soil bed, and not by stones or bricks haphazardly placed underneath the pipes. Even if used for just a temporary support this can damage the pipe. The base should be tightly packed in the appropriate manner with holes carved out to fit in the protruding pipe connections. You will need to provide a continuous and uniform support for the complete length of the pipe.
It is very important that the design of the sewage system should be constructed in such a way that all parts of the pipework are accessible to a set of drain rods for future maintenance. Which means that a run of drains must be installed straight between two points. An inspection chamber should be present at places where the pipework changes its direction, this is important so that it remains accessible to drain rods and they do not need to go around corners.
If you follow this guidance, drainage and DIY plumbing can be within the range of the most DIY enthusiasts.