Storm sewers do it yourself

Atmospheric precipitation is a natural phenomenon. Snow and rain fall on the roof, and then all this water flows under the foundation. As a result, the building may be significantly damaged. To avoid this, the water must be removed. For this, a special sewer system is created; we will tell you about it in this article.

What is a storm sewer

Many believe that stormwater is pipes that come from the roof of houses. This is not entirely true. Drain is part of this system, but not the most important. If it is broken apart, then it will be included here:

• system of drains from the roof of buildings and structures;
• элементы водосбора (дождеприемники, лотки etc.);
• sewer pipes, on them water will be removed from the site;
• collectors;
• viewing wells.

All these elements together constitute a common system.

Types of storm sewer

There are two types. The first, open, is used in the event that the amount of precipitation is small. It is a system of gutters and trays, which are connected in one ditch. With this system, you can divert water from small areas.

A closed system is considered more powerful. In this case, various elements of the catchment are used, from which water (along pipes laid underground) is diverted from the site.

Whichever system you install, it will serve you well, especially in places with high rainfall. Such sewage not only makes life more convenient (there will be no puddles and dirt on the site), but also helps to cope with many problems. First, by removing excess water, you protect the house from washing away. The foundation and walls will not be flooded, which means that they will last much longer.

Secondly, there will be less frost on the paths near your house, and this will increase safety. Also, the removal of excess moisture (especially in areas with a slope) will not allow soil corrosion.

We make the project of system

Before the start of construction it is necessary to make a project. And for this you need to collect some information. First of all it is necessary to find out how much precipitation falls at the location of your house. Also collect information on the type of soil, how deep the groundwater is, etc. All this information can be found in the building directories or (if possible) in the department of architecture of your settlement.

Secondly, you need to calculate the slope on your site. That is, find out in which direction all the water will flow. Another important fact that you should know is where you will divert the collected water. There may be several options:

• in the central sewer;
• in a natural or artificial reservoir;
• in a septic tank with equipped filtration fields;
• in the drainage well.

Knowing all this data, you can plan everything. You should also read this document, as SNiP 2.04.03-85. It lists all the requirements for the installation of the outdoor system. They should also be considered.

What materials and elements to use

Before you talk about how to make a stormwater outlet, it is worth talking about the elements used and materials for their manufacture. The system of such sewage system is a kind of pipeline that must collect rain and melt water and take it outside the site. Therefore, a significant part of this system consists of pipes. They have special requirements:

• Sufficient strength. Since they will be in the ground, they must withstand heavy loads. And both external and internal.
• Resistance to aggressive environments. Rain and melt water will flow through the canals, which can carry with it various reagents and chemicals, all of which pipes must withstand.
• Portability of temperature changes. The system will be outside and must withstand both summer heat and winter frosts.

In addition to the sewer pipes themselves, the system described includes a number of other elements. Their installation is optional and is made as necessary. These elements include:

• Storm water inlet - a design that will collect water from the drains of the building.
• Rain well. It is necessary to connect the gully (which is located close to the surface) to the pipes.
• Trays for collecting precipitation. They are placed in places of their greatest concentrations.
• Peso tractors. With their help, you can easily clean the system.
• Siphons, plugs etc.

If we talk about the materials used, then you should pay attention to the plastic. It is quite durable and not subject to the harmful effects of the environment. Plastic pipes and other elements perfectly cope with the discharge of water from the site. If it is necessary to lay the system under the road (for example, if the spillway is far from the site), then it is advisable to choose a more durable material. In this case, asbestos-cement or reinforced concrete pipes are often used.

System installation

After collecting all the necessary information and drawing up a plan, you can proceed to the installation of the system. The first thing we do planning on the ground. Mark up the installation location of the elements of the catchment. We note where the pipes will pass.

As a result of this work you should have a unified system. From all structures, which will fall precipitation, should drain sewer pipes. According to them, the water will drain into the place of abstraction.

Pipes are laid in trenches. It is desirable that the depth of their occurrence was below the level of soil freezing. If this does not work, then it is necessary to provide for insulation.

When laying pipes at the bottom of the trench, a pillow is created. It is made of a layer of sand, 10 × 20 cm thick. With this pillow, you need to create a small pipe slope. It should be at least 2 degrees. The bias is done in the direction where the discharge point is located.

To prevent the accumulated garbage in the basket from entering the drain pipe, and the unpleasant smell does not spread in the yard, each point of the catchment area should be equipped with special partitions-siphons.

Installation begins with the installation of storm water inlets (if you have a drain system already installed). From each of them the pipe must lead to the general system. Also, trays for collecting water and other elements of the catchment are connected to the main pipe. Also in the system, the presence of sand traps and plugs is desirable. The first ones make it easy to clean the system, and the second ones will not allow water to flow in the opposite direction (in case of clogging).

If the site provides for the installation of a drainage system, the pipes can be laid with it in one trench. But this does not mean that one of these systems can replace the other. They have different functions. The stormwater removes excess water from the surface, and drainage pipes do not allow groundwater to damage the foundation of the building.

As a result, the main pipe should end at the point of discharge. It can be either a reservoir, or a ravine, or a common sewage system. But often in suburban areas establish a drainage well or septic system.

Video

Pipe installation and site and foundation drainage