What to perform when making drains or pipe fixes and fitting by yourself
What to perform when making drains or pipe fixes and fitting by yourself
Before you undertake DIY plumbing and drains work it is essential to understand the national rules and regulations developed by the local authority.
If you are considering altering your existing sewage, or installing a new sewage system you will almost certainly need to present some detailed plans of the work that you intend to undertake and it will need to be inspected as the work progresses making sure that it complies with the local building rules. In many situations when you are simply replacing damaged parts, there is no need for the local authority to be informed.
Whatever water we see on the surface around your home is usually rain. It can drain out through a soakaway, watercourse, surface water sewer or, especially in older houses, into the dirty water drainage pipes. If gully traps are fixed at the junction of the rainwater pipe and the waste water drain, foul odour can be controlled. However, the latest systems are designed in a way which separates the foul water and the surface water. It is extremely important to ensure that you do not connect foul water to a surface water drainage system. 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. The pipe work should run straight with a gentle incline. A surveyor’ site level should be used to work out the fall of a drain. A hosepipe filled with water from an established datum point can be used if you don’t have a surveyor’s site level.
Be very careful not to excavate too close to your building, as you may undermine the foundation and cause a structural collapse. Keep the drain pipe excavation at a uniformly safe distance from the home face to avoid damage to the foundation.
While installing a new sewage system make sure that you do not dig too long before laying the pipe. Make sure that you get the pipes laid as quickly as possible and then backfill the trench as soon as the system has been inspected and tested.
The ditch may need to be supported depending on the depth and soil conditions. Do not take any risks. If you are not sure prop up the ditch anyway to prevent it from falling. The ditch should be narrow, but spacious enough for people to work with any required tools. Be sure to remove any stones or bricks from the trench bed and make it as even as possible. If the existing soil is too weak or clayey, you should place and compact a layer of firmer soil at the base of the trench to prevent later sinking.
Never use bricks and/or other hard materials to support the pipe in the ditch. This will damage the pipe and must never be used as temporary or permanent support. The bedding should be properly compacted with hollows made to accommodate the joints in the pipes. The support should be smooth and even, from the beginning of the pipe to its end.
When designing your drainage system, it is important to make all parts of the pipework reachable via a set of drain rods should a blockage occur. The drains should therefore run straight between two points to ease the passage of the drain rods. Inspection chambers have to be provided at any abrupt changes of direction or level, so that drain rods can be inserted easily.
DIY plumbing and drainage is within the reach of many DIY fans if you follow these simple rules.