Dig a Trench The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide. least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. This means that the drain should slope down a total of at least one inch for every 10 feet of pipe.
Once you start digging your drain depth will need to be anywhere from eight inches to two feet, depending on your needs and available options.
Perforated land drain is also useful in Sports Fields, Lawn & Garden drainage (in smaller diameters), and can also feature in French Drains to improve drainage. Customer Advice: When installing land drain, the trench you dig needs to be wider than the diameter of the pipe and MUST be at least 450mm deep.
In the south, 3 to 6 inches may be all that is needed. In Northern locations, 4 feet more more may be needed to keep the pipe from bursting in winter. If the area receives heavy traffic, consider a trench that is at least 24 to 36 inches deep, even in low frost line areas.
Water lines are typically buried 6-22" below frost line. Drain lines do not need to be buried below the frost line as a properly operating sewage system does not contain standing water. Drainage lines usually need to be buried 12".
The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide. least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you.
Cast Iron
Despite the heat resistance and noise-dampening properties of cast iron, it's not as suitable for underground water supply as newer materials. Cast iron is not resistant to corrosion, which can compromise the quality of the water supply and damage the integrity of the piping, leading to leaks and breaks.
All PVC pipes should be buried at least 12 inches below the frost line so they won't rupture in freezing temperatures. However, where heavy traffic is expected, trenches will need to be at least 24 to 36 inches deep.
All drainage pipes should be placed on the gravel bed in the trench. PVC drainpipe, if used, should be placed in the trench with the holes facing down.
Acidic soil and runoff from road salts are common problems that can shorten the life of other drainage pipes to just a few years. Corrugated plastic pipe will last for decades in the same environment.
The pipe should be surrounded by gravel in a trench where water moves through the ground, passes through the gaps in the gravel, and starts to fill the trench surrounding the pipe. As this happens the water will percolate into the pipe through the holes and flow out of the pipe when its installed with a fall.
As we mentioned above, in order for a perforated pipe to work effectively it is important a slope is created to help drain water away from your property.
Drainage tiles or perforated pipe shall be placed on not less than 2 inches (51 mm) of washed gravel or crushed rock not less than one sieve size larger than the tile joint opening or perforation and covered with not less than 6 inches (152 mm) of the same material.
PRO TIP: If round rock stone isn't available in your area and crushed stone is the only practical option then its recommended to use a sock wrapped drainpipe. The sock material will prevent the fines from the crushed rock from clogging up the inlet holes in your perforated or slotted pipe.
Drainage pipes should only be a few inches underground. Remember that the water has to be forced upward from the pipe to come out of this drain. If the drainpipe is too deeply buried, the water will have to be forced up too high and it will back up instead.
However, there are some common issues caused by buried downspouts that homeowners should be aware of. One of the most common problems with buried downspouts is clogging. Over time, debris such as leaves, dirt, and twigs can accumulate in the pipe, leading to blockages.
Mobility: Due to its round and smooth shape, pea gravel can easily shift underfoot, which can lead to instability in walkways or patios. This mobility can also make it challenging for outdoor furniture to stay stable. Weed Growth: While pea gravel can deter some weed growth, it's not a foolproof solution.
UK building codes require downpipes to exit a metre from foundations to avoid saturated soil that could undermine structures. Surface drains and soakaways are best as they slowly absorb water, unlike sewers which risk flooding if pipes discharge directly into them as this can overwhelm the drain system.
The minimum cover required when the drainage system is in a traffic area with drainage pipe diameters from 100 mm through 1200 mm (4”-48”) must have at least 0.3 m (12”) of cover over the pipe crown, while 1500 mm (60”) pipes must have at least 0.6 m (24”) of cover.
Pipe for conveying liquids susceptible to freezing should be buried no less than 12" below the maximum frost level. Permanent lines subject to heavy traffic should have a minimum cover of 24". For light traffic, 12" to 18" is normally sufficient for small diameter pipe (typically < 3" diameter).
Downspouts should be buried at least a foot deep underground and at least 5 to 10 feet away from your house. If you live in a cold climate, keep in mind that the frost line falls between 36 and 48 inches underground.
No portion of the drainage system installed underground shall be less than two inch pipe size. EXCEPTION: Underground condensate waste, tub and shower traps and trap arms, and piping that receives the discharge from relief valves after an air gap may be normal size pipe less than 2-inches.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a durable plastic pipe that is highly resistant to corrosion and impact damage. The material doesn't melt easily, which works well for underground water lines.
PVC and CPVC have more strength and durability than PEX because they are more rigid, making them better suited to outdoor applications where the piping may be subjected to trauma.