The most effective way to protect the foundation of a private house from the destructive effects of groundwater and storm water is a high-quality drainage system. This is especially important when water accumulates in the upper layers of the soil, as it can provoke flooding of the basement or basement, moisture and deformation of the walls, as well as the appearance of fungal formations. This article will focus on how to lay drainage pipes.
Pipes for the drainage system, which are installed along the entire perimeter of the site, allow you to create a high-quality drainage system. After all, the danger of flooding is carried not only by groundwater, but also by flood waters. Damage can also be caused by atmospheric precipitation exceeding the permissible norms.
Drainage pipe photo
Unlike foundation waterproofing, the drainage system can be installed after the house has been built, if there are grounds for this. But under certain conditions, it is better to install the installation at the initial stage of construction. This requires the following grounds:
- the flat location of the site, contributing to a significant accumulation of water;
- clay and loamy soil, which have weak culvert characteristics;
- statistics of the excess of precipitation level typical for the area in which the structure is located;
- elevated groundwater level (less than 1.5 meters to the ground surface).
In addition, it is worth focusing on the depth of construction of the remaining buildings on the site. The presence of a buried foundation next to the main building not only prevents the natural outflow of groundwater, but also contributes to their accumulation, thereby increasing the risk of flooding. Concrete blind areas and asphalt pavement equipped on the site are also a barrier to the free circulation of water. In such a case, it is considered competent to connect storm drains with the main drainage system.
The laying of a drainage pipe will prevent the consequences of changes in the level of groundwater and the accumulation of moisture in the soil around the building.
Types of drainage systems
There are two main options for designing a drainage system:
- Open (superficial)- is used to remove excess moisture caused by the accumulation of precipitation or melt water. The open drainage system is presented in the form of ditches and trenches.
- Closed (deep)- pipes with perforations are used in laying, which are laid at a certain depth in a previously prepared trench. The main function is to drain ground water and protect the foundation of the house.
Materials Required for Installing a Closed Drainage System
The process of installing a drainage system is quite laborious and requires thorough preparation. From bulk building materials you will need:
- Sand... River sand is mainly used in drainage works. Its main function is to create a filtration cushion around the drainage pipe.
- Crushed stone... To equip the system, you will need a medium and large fraction. The purpose of crushed stone is to form a stable layer to prevent the penetration of dirt and large parts of the soil. In addition, crushed stone prevents excessive soil pressure on the corrugated pipe.
Main materials:
- drainage pumps... They are used only in case of significant flooding of the site by groundwater. Promote mechanical drainage;
- drainage pipes... With their help, the main drainage system is formed. The number and diameter depends on the complexity of the bookmarking scheme. Most often, plastic pipes are used for drainage;
- geotextile- protects the drainage pipe from soil contamination. As a rule, non-woven or dornit is used. In addition to strength, both types of textiles have filtering properties;
- couplings- are necessary for attaching drainage pipes to each other.
As a rule, the drainage system needs periodic cleaning; for this, inspection wells are installed along its perimeter. And to collect water, a collector well is mounted in the system.
Drainage pipe selection
Before starting the installation of the drainage system, special attention should be paid to the choice of pipes for work. The first thing to consider is the use of perforated pipes in the arrangement of the drainage system. The second is the diameter and the presence of holes for moisture outflow and air exchange. And no less important point is the material from which the pipes are made.
Currently, the following types of pipes are presented on the building materials market:
- asbestos-cement;
- ceramic;
- made of polymeric materials.
The most popular in the arrangement of drainage systems are precisely polymer drainage pipes. Their advantage over other species is as follows.
- Long service life - up to 70 years.
- High strength indicators.
- Resistant to corrosion processes and aggressive environments.
- Reduced weight values that simplify the process of transportation and installation.
- Self-cleaning ability due to the smooth surface.
- Resistant to silting.
- Value for money.
- Ease of maintenance. Thanks to the geotextile filter, the system does not need to be flushed.
Drainage pipes diameter:
- up to 150 mm - for a drainage system that removes a small amount of water;
- up to 300 mm - for systems with high load.
For a branched drainage system, you will need pipes of both small (for branches) and large diameters (for the main branch of the system).
Plastic drainage pipes
Polymer pipes, which are usually used for laying drainage systems, are made of PVC, polypropylene or polyethylene and are represented by the following types:
- single layer or double layer... The choice of the number of layers depends on the density of the soil;
- flexible and tough... Rigid pipes are suitable for simple drainage schemes, while flexible pipes allow for complex branching throughout the site;
- pipes with or without filter casing... As a rule, drain pipes already have holes along their entire length. But if there are no special holes in the purchased material, you can make them yourself using a drill and a thin drill;
- corrugated or smooth.
As for covering with geotextile, as a rule, samples already covered with filtering textiles are presented on the building materials market. When buying uncoated pipes, you can wrap their surface yourself, securing the material with a rope or thin wire around the perimeter of the pipe.
Drainage pipe laying design
Before starting work on the installation of the drainage system, it is worthwhile to first draw up a plan for its location on the site.
- This requires taking into account the type of soil and the height of the groundwater. The most often used is a branched circuit, at the joints of which inspection wells are installed.
- The distance between the branches directly depends on the type of soil. For clay soil, it is 10 meters, for loamy soil - 20 meters, with sandy soil type - 45 meters.
Laying drainage pipes with your own hands
First, you need to determine the location of the drainage system. There are only two accommodation options:
- "Wall" drainage - runs only near the foundation of the house and prevents moisture from entering directly into the building itself;
- a drainage system located along the entire perimeter of the site - protects not only the basement of the building, but also other outbuildings and plantings located on the territory.
Stages of work
- The first step is to mark the site for the placement of drainage ditches. To facilitate the process, you can use a special laser rangefinder. Particular attention should be paid to places where moisture accumulates after rain - this means that water exchange is difficult in this area due to the density of the soil or the presence of obstacles.
- Trench. Deepening under the drainage trench must be performed taking into account the height differences. The main task of a prepared ditch system is a quick and unimpeded drainage of water.
Tip: during work, you can use the watering hose by running a certain amount of water - to make sure that no water accumulates in certain parts of the trench.
- Before installing the drainage pipes, the bottom of the trench must be carefully tamped. Then any filter material is laid, while its ends should go beyond the trench. Next, river sand and crushed stone are poured, first coarse, then medium fraction, to a thickness of no more than 20 cm.
- Drainage pipes are cut according to the dimensions of the circuit, using a jigsaw or a special device - a pipe cutter. Next, you should start laying the pipes, connecting the joints with fittings. In order for the junction to be strong, it is necessary to dock the parts after preheating the docking cuts.
- The pipes must be carefully wrapped with geotextiles, securing the joints with a rope or thin wire. The choice of such a material is not accidental, since it must pass the water coming out of the perforation. In addition to the throughput, the function of the geotextile is to protect the pipe perforations from clogging.
- The pipes must be laid with a slope, connecting the ends to the manholes. Two types of wells can be used in the system: sealed, which allows the collected water to be used for technical purposes, and absorbing - the water will go back into the soil. The slope of the drainage pipes depends on its diameter, the larger it is, the less slope is required.
- The next step in the installation of drainage pipes will be filling the surface with gravel and sand. After that, the structure is wrapped with filtering material webs on the surface and covered with a layer of soil.
Drainage pipes videos
Drainage system maintenance
In arranging a site with a drainage system, it is important not only to have a thoughtful and high-quality installation, but also to comply with the rules of operation. That will extend the period of operation of the system for the longest possible period.
Approximately once every four years, it is imperative to inspect the condition of pipes and wells, as a preventive measure. In addition, once every two years it is worth measuring the water level in the wells; its significant change may indicate the following factors:
- damage to the integrity of the pipe;
- the formation of a dense blockage;
- the growth of silt deposits on the entire surface of the pipe;
- Partial pipeline settlement due to soil movement.
In order to avoid such problems, it is necessary to inspect the drainage system in a timely manner and clean it from various kinds of contaminants.
Errors in the laying of the drainage pipe
The drainage efficiency directly depends on the quality of the installation. Any irregularities in the course of work contribute to the disabling of the system. In the best case, you can repair the damaged area, in the worst case, you will have to completely reinstall the drainage system.
The most common mistakes include:
- selection of a pipeline system without taking into account the quality of the soil. For example: on loamy soil, it is not recommended to use pipes without a filtration system;
- violations associated with a change or lack of the angle of inclination of the drainage system;
- initially there was no option to drain water from the well;
- the technology of arranging drainage pipes is not observed - the installation is made without filtering crushed stone and sand;
- lack of geotextiles and filtering material;
- poor quality pipe soldering;
- no perforation.
When choosing the type of drainage system, it should be based on the peculiarities of the location of the site and the quality of the soil. For self-arrangement of drainage, it is necessary to plan in advance the layout of the drainage. When choosing materials, preference should be given to the most practical and durable. These include perforated plastic corrugated pipes. Observing all the stages of laying the drainage system, you can get a high-quality drainage system. In addition, drainage ensures that the basement or basement of the house is protected from the harmful effects of groundwater.
A drainage system is needed to drain water and sediment at the site. Drainage works thanks to a branched pipeline, through which the liquid is directed into the ground or the place of discharge. In this case, it is important to know how to properly install the system, and which pipe to choose for installation.
Drainage pipes have their own characteristics. Select special products with multiple holes. Thanks to them, water enters the drains and is absorbed into the ground.
Drainage pipe materials:
- Asbestos-cement;
- Ceramic;
- Plastic.
Most often, plastic pipes are used. A number of reasons contribute to this choice. So the polymer is lightweight, since it is lighter than asbestos cement and ceramics. This makes it easier to carry out installation work. In addition, this material is quite durable and inexpensive.
Asbestos cement and ceramics are now used less and less. These are heavy and difficult to install products. Drainage metal is not used through active corrosive processes in the ground.
The popularity of plastic comes from other benefits as well. So the polymer belongs to durable materials. It is resistant to corrosion and other aggressive processes. The pipes' ability to pass will please, they are absolutely smooth and practically do not clog.
Silt also cannot clog plastic pipes. If the drains are wrapped in geotextile, then small debris does not clog the holes. Groundwater can easily enter the drainage system. At the same time, there is a large selection of pipes of different sizes on the market. This allows you to fully equip the drainage system.
Plastic is easy to clean. Operation involves periodic inspection of the pipes. System cleaning may be required once a year.
Requirements for the device of the drainage pipe
Drainage is widely used in areas with high groundwater levels. Drains are installed below the groundwater level. The material of the product itself must be durable, stable and smooth. The liquid should easily pass through the pipes under high pressure.
The strength of the pipes must be such as to withstand the weight of the soil and its possible movement.
To reduce the possibility of the influence of precipitation, the system is equipped with storm water inlets. In this case, the drains have a surface installation. Then the system is connected to a common liquid drainage channel.
Drain pipe requirements:
- Resistant to low temperatures;
- Maximum smoothness of the inner walls.
The rainwater inlet should not deform when exposed to low temperatures. If necessary, use the insulation of the system. Good permeability of the pipes is necessary so that possible debris can easily pass through the drains. In this case, the system must be equipped with filter elements.
Required slope of the drainage pipe
The slope of the pipes is influenced by their size. The diameter should not be too large, otherwise there will be a large outflow of water. And this, in turn, will lead to muddy drifts. This will quickly clog the pipeline and require emergency cleaning.
The diameter is related to the slope of the pipes. The smaller the size, the greater the slope.
But if you choose a small slope, then the water in the canal will start to stagnate. The water will not pass well and will overflow the pipes. The slope is indicated by fractional numbers. The number 0.008 represents 8 mm drop per meter.
Required slopes for pipes:
- 0.003 is used for water diversion ditches and asphalt road;
- 0.004 - with crushed stone or paving stones;
- 0.005 - when covering the road with cobblestones.
When the pipe diameter is 90 and 110 mm, the optimal slope is 0.02. With a diameter of 160 mm, 0.008 is used. If the section is 200 mm, then the slope is 0.007.
Elements for connecting drainage pipes to each other
Drainage pipes are connected using special fittings. The drainage device can be represented by two systems: open and closed. The first option provides for a complex of ditches and trenches for water drainage. The second system has underground pipe laying, where the elements are connected to each other by fittings.
Types of fittings for drainage pipes:
- Universal;
- Plugs;
- Universal tee;
- Swivel tee;
- Reducing coupling;
- Crosspiece;
- Reducing tee.
The connection of pipes is possible due to the protruding part at the ends of the pipes. The sewerage is laid with plastic fittings. These elements are well sealed and perfectly permeable to liquid.
The crosspiece can connect 4 pipes at once. The coupling combines 2 pipes, both the same size and different.
Fittings have many benefits to their use. They note lightness, flexibility, tightness. The couplings are lightweight, so they do not weigh down the system. At the same time, the variety of connecting elements allows you to make different wiring. It is simple to work with fittings, all processes are easily done by hand. In this case, the pipes can be laid on an uneven surface.
A tee is used to fasten several drainage branches. You can also connect the pipe to the well this way. You can create a complete system over a large area. The reducing tee is used for pipes of different sizes. The swivel version will allow you to mount a drainage system called "herringbone".
Surface-laying of drainage pipes
The work includes the creation of a plan with piping. Take into account the placement of drains and other elements of water drainage. In this case, the slope of the pipes is taken into account. Surface pipe laying involves the installation of drains on finished surfaces.
Stages of laying surface drainage:
- Determined with the place of liquid discharge. This information is taken into account even during planning. The depth of laying is determined below the level of freezing of the earth. As a rule, this indicator is 60-80 cm.
- Sand traps should be connected to the pipes. This is a kind of liquid filtration.
- When arranging a wall drain, storm water inlets are installed. Rainwater is immediately directed into the ground.
- Then they dig a ditch. The bottom should be tamped down and crushed stone should be laid.
- Then the drainage parts are installed. Holes are provided for the pipeline. End elements must be equipped with plugs. Pipes are fixed using concrete-sand mortar. The installation is started from the point of discharge. The joints should be well sealed.
- Then the heel is made of concrete and the lining is restored.
- Then they check the performance of the drainage system. When everything looks and functions well, the system is covered with bars.
Operation includes periodic cleaning of traps and gully. In this case, the gratings are removed and the holes are washed with water pressure. The precipitation can be used for economic purposes. It is forbidden to use groundwater for personal needs, there is a different composition.
Laying perforated drainage pipes with geotextiles
Before laying, they carry out design work and buy the necessary material. Design involves collecting data. The local department of land resources will be able to provide them.
Required design data:
- Groundwater level for each season;
- Soil properties and structure;
- The amount of precipitation.
These calculations will determine the pipe depth. The material for the gasket is a perforated plastic pipe. To prevent clogging of drains, they are wrapped in geotextiles.
Drainage installation with perforated pipes and geotextiles:
- First, they mark the territory, focusing on the wiring diagram. Then they dig a trench. The depth is determined during the design, and the width is equal to the pipe plus 40 cm. The slope of the pipes is also taken into account.
- A cushion of rubble and sand is placed on the bottom. Enough 10 cm of sand, which will have to be tamped. Then add 20 cm of crushed stone.
- Next, pipes are mounted, wrapped in canvas. Elements are connected with special couplings.
- In addition, you should make sure that the slope of the pipes is correct using a tensioned cord.
- Inspection wells are installed at turns. They allow you to monitor and clean the system.
- Then you need to dig trenches. First, crushed stone is poured, then sand, and then the earth dug out earlier.
Water is diverted into an open reservoir or sewer. But the end of the pipeline must be equipped with a check valve. An alternative to it is a collection well. When it is full, the liquid should be removed.
Some difficulties may arise during installation. They are associated with common mistakes: insufficient depth, incorrectly selected pipes, broken slope.
It is quite possible to carry out the installation on your own. It is better to entrust the design to professionals. In the rest of the work, the instructions and the correctness of the calculations should be observed.
Installation of drainage pipes (video)
The principle of drainage is to install pipes at a slope, due to which water is removed from the site. In this case, it is important to correctly determine the size of the pipes. The laying process itself has many nuances and features, but in general it does not have any difficulties.
Drainage will protect the underground part of the house from inevitable destruction, protect plant roots from decay, and get rid of stagnant puddles. Numerous advantages are somewhat offset by the price, the size of which is justified by the large amount of work. However, they can be done in whole or in part with your own hands, don’t you agree?
We will tell you how to lay the drainage pipe with your own hands, which system components still need to be installed. For those wishing to make their own drainage, we offer reliable information about the principles and rules of its construction. The information provided to you is based on regulatory requirements.
The article describes in detail the varieties of the drainage system. The technology of organization is stated, recommendations are given on the choice of pipes and related materials to ensure the drainage of groundwater. A selection of photos and video guides are attached to help interested visitors.
Drainage is an expensive system, even if you do not have to pay for the services of specialists and the owner of the site is ready to do all the work on his own. Therefore, you should figure out how much it is needed at all.
It is impossible to determine the need for a system device "by eye", because groundwater can lie close to the surface, which becomes a real problem only during floods or heavy rains.
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In linear versions, it becomes necessary if you need to drain the areas around buildings, paths, entrances, improve the local area or remove excess moisture from the garden.
Such drains are shallow ditches where water flows, and then moves to special receiving tanks, storm sewers or to a discharge point outside the site.
The choice and features of the installation of elements of drainage systems depend on the expected load on the system: soil density, the amount of water that enters the drains. If the load is too heavy, it is worth choosing structures from the most durable materials.
Point catchments are also required to be accurately calculated and designed in advance. They serve for local collection of water, but are connected to a similar linear system of ditches or pipes.
Through the indicated drainage channels, the collected water is discharged in the same way into a collector well and further into a sewer or pond. Therefore, the work on the device of systems with point water intakes is not much different from systems with linear options.
Open systems are very simple to implement and cheap, but they spoil the landscape with an unaesthetic appearance. Another disadvantage is that the walls of the ditches have to be constantly corrected, because they crumble under the influence of moisture, and the system ceases to perform its functions (water stagnates at the bottom of the trenches and does not move to the place of discharge).
When planning drainage, you should decide on the type of system. You need to think about whether it will be open or closed. In the first case, ditches with slanting walls are dug for the convenience of water flow. The width of such a trench is usually 0.5 m, and they dig it to a depth of 0.7 m (+)
To solve the problem of shedding the walls of the ditches, you can use the method of dumping with rubble: the material of the coarse fraction is laid on the bottom, and the fine fraction on top, after which the entire drainage cushion is covered with turf.
This option allows you not to trim or strengthen the walls of the trenches, but it is suitable for areas with relatively low humidity, because the throughput of the ditch is greatly reduced.
The use of polymer and concrete trays in the construction of open drainage greatly facilitates and speeds up the work. In order to improve the landscape and protect the systems from clogging, such open systems are covered with cast iron gratings.
For the arrangement, special perforated pipes are used - drains laid to the depth of the foundation. They are laid in pre-formed ditches, covered with material with excellent filtering properties, gravel, fine gravel or GPS.
To monitor the operation of the system and carry out periodic cleaning, set. They are located at every turn and after 20-25 m of the linear route of the drainage pipeline.
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Drainage systems are laid not only to drain groundwater, but also to distribute it evenly, for example, in areas with a slope
Close to the surface, they arrange systems designed to drain the soil. Their depth does not exceed 40 cm
Normalization of moisture in the soil-vegetation layer does not require the establishment of the system to a depth below the standard growth of the root system of cultivated plants
Drainage of the site for draining the soil-vegetation layer is arranged if loam or sandy loam is opened under the ORS. Rocks with low filtration properties do not allow water to pass through and contribute to its long stagnation in the soil
The simplest drainage option, designed to drain the soil and vegetation layer, is to simply replace the soil with a rock with high filtration (gravel, crushed stone). In such cases, laying a drain is optional.
The drainage pipe is laid much lower if it is required to protect underground structures from groundwater
The drainage system to protect the foundation is arranged 20-30 cm below the depth of the foundation. So it is necessary that the drain completely collects groundwater and prevents capillary suction
When installing a drainage system designed to protect the foundation from groundwater, it should be remembered that, in addition to it, the base of the house needs reliable waterproofing
Drainage system to stabilize soil moisture
Surface drainage system
Drainage for draining the cultivated area
Drainage circuit for arranging the lawn
The easiest surface drainage option
Drainage for the protection of underground structures
Depth of foundation drainage
Waterproofing in addition to a drainage device
Average values can be used to determine how to properly lay the drainage pipe to protect plants from excess moisture. As a rule, the optimal depth is 0.6-1.5 m.
Moreover, for flower beds, lawns, beds, it does not exceed 0.9 m, and to protect the rhizomes of trees, you need to dig the deepest trenches, especially if the site is located on peat soils.
Types and parameters for the selection of drainage pipes
Of all the pipe materials, polymers are the most popular. Their undeniable advantages are durability, resistance to chemicals and smooth inner walls, which do not adhere to dirt. Stormwater and groundwater flow into the pipeline and freely move to the catchment areas by gravity.
In the underground drainage device, plastic pipes with factory or homemade perforations are most often used. Less commonly, pipes made of ceramics or cast iron are used, which are too heavy to be laid on their own.
The drainage system, assembled from modern materials, can serve up to half a century. The main thing is to install it correctly, carry out technical inspections on time and not ignore the need for repairs.
Another advantage of polymers is their relatively low cost, because ready-made drainage is inexpensive, practical and durable.
When choosing drainage pipes, it is better to give preference to two-layer products with stiffeners. Due to the even distribution of the load, the pipeline lasts longer and more reliably. Plastic drainage pipes do not rust, do not rot and prevent the formation of sludge on the walls (+)
An excellent solution is a pipe in a geotextile sheath. The outer material filters water, trapping dirt. This prevents the pipelines from getting silted up.
An alternative to factory-made drain pipes is conventional sewer pipes. You can easily make drainage components from them with your own hands. To do this, simply drill holes in the products, and wrap them with geotextile fabric on top.
In addition to the perforated drainage pipe, for the device of a closed system, inspection and rotary drainage wells, a collector well, geotextiles and crushed stone or similar backfill material with high filtering properties will be required.
If a local drainage system is required, you can get by with pipes with a diameter of 100-200 mm, and if it is necessary to remove moisture from a large area or too much water, it is better to choose products with a diameter of 300-400 mm. The optimal choice is a special drainage pipe with a filter casing.
Pipeline laying technology
When arranging drainage, the relief of the site is of fundamental importance. The system should be constructed so that there are no problems with the outflow of fluid into the ditches. If there are no results of geodetic surveys, you should draw up a diagram yourself, marking on it the places where rainwater is drained.
Care must be taken when creating a circuit, because errors will render drainage ineffective. Based on the finished drawing, they outline how to lay and tilt the drainage pipe and where to install the water collectors. After checking the data, markings are made on the ground and work begins.
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We are developing a trench for laying the drainage pipe. Its depth is 30-50 cm below the sole of the base
After mechanical development of the trench, we modify the bottom, taking into account the slope towards the drainage of the collected groundwater system: a collector or absorption well
We fill the bottom of the trench with a layer of quarry sand of 10 cm and ram it until a dense base is obtained under the drainage pipe
We wrap the drainage pipe with geotextile. Ideally, it is better to lay the non-woven fabric in a trench, cover it with gravel, on which to lay the drain, and then wrap it with material
We lay the drainage pipe in compliance with the slope along the rammed bottom to the installation site of the absorbing well
From two concrete rings we assemble an absorbing well - an unloading point without a sealed bottom, instead of which a soil filter is arranged in it, allowing water to pass into the underlying soil layers
Often, groundwater and storm water have a destructive effect on the foundation of a building. There were cases when moisture accumulated in large quantities in the upper parts of the soil, which led to flooding of the basement or basement floor, dampness and deformation of the walls, the appearance of fungus on them. An effective way to protect the foundation from such unpleasant consequences is to lay a drainage pipe.
Reasons for the drainage system
If the pipes are placed around the perimeter of the land plot, then a reliable drainage system can be built. It is known that groundwater and flood waters, as well as precipitation in excess of the monthly norm, pose a serious danger to the foundation of private housing.
Most often, the laying of drainage pipes is carried out before the start of the construction of the house. But it happens that after the end of construction work, there are serious grounds for waterproofing the foundation. Then, under special conditions, you can start preparing the drainage.
Consider a situation when pipes are installed at the beginning of construction, but for specific reasons:
- a high level of groundwater disposal - less than one and a half meters to the surface of the earth;
- the flatness of the slope of the area, contributing to the regular accumulation of moisture;
- the presence of clay and loamy soil with low cultivation characteristics;
- the building is located in an area in which, according to statistics, the level of monthly precipitation is exceeded.
Also, the depth of construction of other structures in the local area plays an important role. If there is a buried foundation next to the main building, then groundwater will not be able to flow freely and will constantly accumulate under the house, increasing the risk of flooding. Asphalt and concrete blind areas on the site act as a barrier to the natural circulation of wastewater. In this case, it is correct to connect the storm waste to the central system.
The installation of a drainage pipe will eliminate damage to the foundation from the accumulation of moisture in the ground around the dwelling and a change in the level of wastewater.
Varieties of drainage schemes
Such options for their preparation are known:
- open (superficial);
- closed (deep).
The first type - open is necessary when removing excess liquid that has accumulated in the soil from atmospheric precipitation. Such a drainage system is represented by trenches and ditches.
The second is designed to remove groundwater and protect the foundation of the building from destruction. For this purpose, the drainage pipe is laid in a ditch of a specific depth. Moreover, the tubular product must be perforated.
Arrangement of a closed system
Before proceeding with this laborious procedure, you need to prepare and purchase bulk building materials:
- Medium / coarse crushed stone, which is needed to obtain a stable layer that prevents dirt and bulk soil fragments from entering the system. And also this material protects the corrugated pipe from the increased pressure of the earth layer.
- River sand creating a filtration cushion.
In addition to bulk substances, the following are useful:
- Drainage pipes that form the drainage system itself. Depending on the intricacy of the project, the diameter and number of pipe products are selected. Recently, PVC products have become relevant.
- Drainage pumps providing mechanical drainage. They are used when the site has suffered serious damage due to flooding by underground drains. Read also: "".
- Durable geotextile that protects the pipe from the ground and has filtering properties. When laying drainage pipes with geotextiles, its varieties are used: dornit and non-woven.
- Couplings securing pipes.
For the purpose of regular cleaning of the drainage system, inspection wells are installed around the perimeter, and collector wells for collecting liquid.
How to choose drainage pipes
Before installing a drainage pipe, you need to decide on the products for work.
It is important to take into account such nuances:
- In preparing the drainage system, use perforated pipes.
- Competently determine the required number of holes and their diameter for liquid outlet and air exchange. The material of the pipes is of priority importance in the general business of arranging the drainage system. Read also: "".
Today, the market for materials for construction is replete with pipe products from:
- ceramics;
- asbestos cement;
- polymers.
In the arrangement of the drainage system, drainage pipes made of polymers have reached their peak in popularity.
Their advantageous use in comparison with other types lies in the presence of excellent technical characteristics:
- excellent strength;
- the duration of the application period - up to 70 years;
- silting resistance;
- ease and, accordingly, simplify the process of installation and transportation;
- resistance to aggressive chemical environment and corrosion processes;
- the possibility of self-cleaning due to the smoothness of the pipe surface;
- in a favorable combination: quality-price;
- ease of maintenance, because thanks to the geotextile filter included in the pipe kit, the drainage system does not need to be flushed.
According to their dimensions, drainage pipes are classified into small and large:
- up to 150 mm - for a system with a small throughput;
- up to 300 mm - with increased load.
If the drainage scheme has a branched appearance, then it is better to use pipe products of small (for branches) and large diameters (for the central branch of the system).
Drainage pipes made of plastic
All polymer products that are used for the installation of drainage systems are made of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene.
In addition, they are:
- One- / two-layer, the number of layers is entered in proportion to the value of the soil density.
- Flexible / rigid. The former have found application in complex branching schemes along the site, the latter in simple drainage projects.
- With / without filter casing. Most often, drain pipes have a series of holes along their entire length. If they are not there, then using a drill and a thin drill, you can make holes yourself.
- Shirred / Smooth. On the building materials market, you can buy pipes on the surface of which there is a filtering coating - geotextile. If it is absent, then textile wrapping around the perimeter of the pipe can be done independently, using the material at hand to secure it - a thin wire or rope. Read also: "".
Pipe-laying project
Work on the installation of the drainage system starts with a preliminary drawing up of a plan for its placement in a specific area. In this case, the type of soil and the height of groundwater are necessarily taken into account. Most often, a branched scheme is used with the installation of inspection wells at the joints.
The distance between the branches is selected according to the type of soil. So, for clay soil it will be 10 m, loamy -20 m, sandy -45 m.
Self-assembly
Laying drainage pipes with your own hands begins with specifying the installation site.
Accommodation can be done in two ways:
- "Wall-mounted" drainage system, which is installed along the perimeter of the foundation of a private building and protects it from moisture ingress.
- Drainage along the perimeter of the entire adjoining territory, allowing to protect the basement of the building, and all household structures, and green spaces.
The sequence of installation work:
- Mark the area where the drainage ditches will be located. With the help of a laser rangefinder, starting operations can be greatly facilitated. In this case, it is imperative to pay attention to the accumulated excess water after rain, which clearly demonstrates the difficulties of water exchange due to the increased density of the soil or existing obstacles. Read also: "".
- Prepare a drainage trench, taking into account the size differences. Deepening is needed for a quick and unhindered outflow of water. In the process, you can use a watering hose. Having collected a little water in the trench, you can see how easily the liquid leaves the depression along the entire length of the trench.
- Before installing the drainage pipe with your own hands, you need to carefully tamp the bottom of the trench. Then lay the filter material, the ends of which must go beyond the borders of the ditch. River sand and crushed stone of various fractions are poured from above, but in a certain sequence: coarse, and then medium. The thickness of the crushed stone should not exceed 20 cm.
- Using a pipe cutter or jigsaw, cut the drainage according to the parameters of the circuit. Lay pipe products and connect the joints with fittings. For a secure connection, preheat the joining sections.
- Then wrap the pipes with geotextiles, tightly fasten the joints with a thin wire or rope. It is necessary to understand in advance how to lay a drainage pipe in geotextile, since this is one of the crucial moments of installation work. The excellent permeability of this material makes it possible to adsorb liquid coming out of the perforation. And also the geotextile protects the perforations of the pipe from contamination.
- Drainage must be laid at an angle, connecting the pipe ends and inspection chambers. The latter can be used in two types: sealed, when in the future water will be used for technical needs, and absorbing - the collected liquid will return back to the ground. The slope of drainage products is directly related to their diameter, and the larger the size, the less slope is needed.
- It is necessary to complete the installation work by dumping crushed stone and sand. Next, wrap the structure with the filter material lying on top and cover it with a layer of earth. Here are the main steps of the procedure - how to lay the drainage pipe with your own hands.
Drainage system operation
When arranging a drainage system, you need to think through everything to the smallest detail, install it with high quality, observe the basic rules of operation. Thus, the life of the drainage system will be significantly extended.
As a preventive measure, a mandatory inspection of the technical condition of drainage and wells will be required - approximately once every 4 years. The liquid level in the inspection wells should be measured every 2 years.
Even a slight deviation of this parameter from the norm indicates:
- violation of the integrity of the tubular product;
- dense blockage;
- silt deposits on the surface of products;
- partial deformation of the pipeline due to ground movement.
Such problems can be avoided if you inspect the drainage system in a timely manner and clean it of various debris.
Possible errors when installing drainage
The quality of installation and the efficiency of the drainage system are interrelated. Any flaws in the process of operation can disable the system, which will lead to the repair of the site or a complete reinstallation of the drainage system. Therefore, we will supplement the current topic: installation of a drainage pipe: how to lay it correctly.
The most common installation errors:
- the pipeline system was selected without taking into account the condition of the soil;
- the angle of inclination is changed or absent;
- at the initial stages, it was not planned to drain water from the wells;
- there is no geotextile or filter material;
- pipes were brazed in bad faith;
- the technical process of arranging the system was not followed - the installation was carried out without sand / crushed stone filling;
- there is no perforation.
Knowing how to properly lay the drainage pipe, taking into account the peculiarities of the location of the site, the state of the soil; having prepared a laying plan and following the installation instructions step by step, you can achieve a high-quality drainage system. This means that the basement and basement of your building will be reliably protected from the negative effects of wastewater.
Building a house is a responsible and very costly event. Naturally, any owner wants the erected building to serve as long as possible. And for this it is necessary to protect the foundation of the house from the destructive action of soil waters, that is, to build drainage. Let's consider how the drainage pipes are laid with our own hands, what materials are used for this, and what nuances must be taken into account when doing this work.
The construction of drainage seems to many to be an optional event. In fact, protection from soil water is very important. Properly constructed drainage helps to avoid dampness in the basement and prevent deterioration of the materials from which the foundation of the house is built.
In addition, a drainage device may be necessary in a personal plot or in a country house, if high-lying waters interfere with the growth of trees and shrubs. Consider the main points of the construction of drainage systems.
What is drainage?
Before describing the construction technology, it is worth understanding what drainage is and in what cases its construction is necessary. So, drainage is a pipe system that is used to drain soil water from the foundation of a building, as well as to drain the site. In what cases is it necessary to build drainage?
- If a building is being built that will have a basement.
- If the site is initially swampy, or it has heavy and poorly water-permeable soils.
- If you plan to make changes to the natural topography of the site, level the sites, build artificial hills, etc.
Where to begin?
First of all, it is necessary to find out how deep the soil water is. This can be done by examining the water level in nearby wells. The well, which is dug to a depth of 5-15 meters, is filled just to the level of groundwater. In addition, from the footprints on the concrete walls of the well, you can understand how high the water rises during the flood period.
Advice! The ideal solution for determining the level of soil water occurrence is a geodetic examination by a specialist.
Next, you need to decide on the type of drainage. The easiest way, of course, is to build an open drainage, that is, just dig trenches with a slope. However, such a solution will not decorate the site, so most owners choose the more time-consuming construction option.
Selection of materials for construction
About 30 years ago, there was no particular choice of pipes for the construction of drainage systems. It was necessary to use asbestos-cement or ceramic pipes, before laying in the ditches, it was necessary to make many holes so that water could freely penetrate into them. Today, there are more convenient and affordable materials - corrugated pipes made of polymeric materials, which already have a ready-made perforation.
Advice! On sale you can find drainage pipes with geotextile or coconut fiber. These materials provide additional filtration and prevent clogging of the drainage system.
The process of installing a drainage system requires serious labor and preliminary preparation of the material. For construction you will need:
- Sand. To create a drainage system, it is necessary to use river sand. It is used to create a cushion at the bottom of the ditch, this is necessary in order to exclude damage to structures due to ground movements.
- Crushed stone. To equip the system, you will need two types of crushed stone. Used material of medium and coarse fraction. The main purpose of crushed stone is to create a filtering layer and prevent various debris contained in the water from entering the drains. In addition, crushed stone prevents damage to drainage pipes during ground movements.
- Geotextile. This is a material made of synthetic threads, it is used to wrap the drainage layer from rubble. The use of this material additionally protects the laid pipes from siltation.
- Fitting. Couplings are used to connect pipes; corners are used to ensure turns.
The advantages of plastic pipes
- pipes are characterized by increased strength, they are laid to a considerable depth - up to 10 meters.
- The service life of polymer pipes is at least 50 years.
- The connections are easy to make by yourself using the couplings
- They are easy to transport, unload and install, as they are quite lightweight.
- To cut plastic pipes, you do not need to use a special tool.
Advice! To prevent clogging of pipes with soil particles, additional filters are used - geotexil or material from coconut fiber.
Pipes of different diameters are used for the installation of the system, most often they are used:
- 150 mm - for systems that drain a small amount of water;
- 300 mm - for systems working with increased load.
For the installation of the system, two types of pipes are used: a larger section is used for the main line, and a smaller one is used for branches. Plastic pipes for the installation of drainage systems can be:
- Single or double layer. The second option is more durable and is suitable for laying in heavy soils.
- Flexible and tough. The first option is ideal for installing simple systems. If a network is being installed with a large number of turns and branches, it is more profitable to use flexible pipes.
- Smooth and crimped. The latter option is more durable.
- With and without sheath. The choice depends on the quality of the soil. In crushed stone soil, pipes can be laid without a shell. In sandy - it is better to lay wrapped in geotextiles. If there is clay on the site, then pipes with a coir (coconut fiber) filter would be an ideal choice.
Installation of drainage systems
Consider how the drainage is installed, and what are the nuances of pipe laying.
Planning
At the first stage, a scheme for laying drainage pipes should be drawn up. In performing this work, a preliminary geodetic examination of the site will be very helpful, as a result of which the types of soil and the level of location of groundwater will be clarified. Based on the results of the examination, the diameters of the pipes, as well as the depth of their laying, are selected.
Advice! Drawing up a drainage scheme and making calculations should preferably be entrusted to specialists.
Styling
How should the pipes be laid correctly in the ditch?
- A layer of sand 15 cm high is poured into the trenches dug to the required depth.
- Geotextile is laid on top of the sand so that the edges of the canvas cover the sides of the ditch.
- A layer of fine gravel is poured onto the geotextile.
- Pipes are laid on top of the crushed stone with perforations down.
- When laying pipes, the slope towards the collection well must be maintained. Slope size - not less than 3 degrees.
- In order to be able to monitor the operation of the system and, if necessary, flush it, it is necessary to plan the installation of inspection wells. The minimum distance between wells is 50 meters. In addition, wells should be installed at the places where the pipeline turns or when the angle of its inclination is changed.
- The choice of filter is carried out depending on the type of soil. If it is light sandy loam or loam, then it is worth using pipes wrapped in geotextiles. In heavy soils, it is more advantageous to use pipes wrapped in a coir cloth.
- Crushed stone is poured over the laid pipes, as a rule, the thickness of the upper filling is 40 cm.
- Above, the layer of rubble is covered with geotextile, which was previously fixed on the sides of the trench.
- From above, the trenches are covered with soil and covered with sod cut out in advance.
Mistakes not to be allowed
- Wrong selection. For example, in loamy soils, pipes cannot be used without a filter.
- Unrestrained bias.
- Wrong choice of location for the installation of the collection well or untimely removal of water from it.
So, the drainage system is a necessary element to protect the house and the site from excess soil moisture. When installing drainage, it is extremely important to correctly develop its scheme and carry out laying in strict accordance with the technology. Errors made during installation will lead to the fact that the water from the foundation will not be drained in full, that is, the efficiency of the system will be reduced.