Hello. We're looking to put a small drain into the garden because there isn't one out there at all, not even for the kitchen waste pipe, so we can't so much as wash out the flower pots without flooding the lawn and leaving mud everywhere. We'd like to do this ourselves if we can, to save money; I've looked at the pages on this (great) site about how to lay the pipes, and am now wondering about the legal aspects.
There is a drain cover about 3m from the place where we'd like to put the drain. It is rectangular, maybe 2ft by 15" or so. We're guessing this is a main drain - is that likely? Could it be anything else? How can we find out? If it is a main drain, are we allowed to connect a pipe up to it and how would we go about that?
I'm figuring we need to dig a hole to take the drain cover and downpipe, presumably we need to set that lot in concrete, then dig a trench at a slight angle from that to the main drain, and lay (clay?) pipe in that, bedded in as per the instructions given on this site, to the main drain. I get kind of hazy over connecting this pipe to the main drain lol.
Please could somebody enlighten me re whatever dumb mistakes appear in the above. Thanks very much!
Laying a small drain in the garden - Advice request
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lutonlagerlout
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i'd say that installing a new run to an existing IC is beyond the remit of all but the most ardent DIYer
you need a demolition hammer,and a cut off saw and you have to be really careful not to block up the runs
when you open the manhole cover (we call them inspection chambers ICs) how deep is it to the bottom of the lowest part?
where does your kitchen waste pipe go at present?
cheers LLL
you need a demolition hammer,and a cut off saw and you have to be really careful not to block up the runs
when you open the manhole cover (we call them inspection chambers ICs) how deep is it to the bottom of the lowest part?
where does your kitchen waste pipe go at present?
cheers LLL
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SarahC
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- Location: Kent
Thanks LLL. We haven't opened the IC yet - will get hold of a drain key (or whatever the professional term is lol, used to call them drain keys when I was a zookeeper) and do that next.
The kitchen waste pipe appears to have no external outlet. We can only assume it goes under the (concrete) ground floor of the house to the downpipe from the bathroom which runs down at the front of the house. No drain access in the front garden either - the nearest one at the front is about 6m away, in the road. Yes, this strikes us as bizarre too, we didn't notice when buying the house!
Sounds like we need professional help at least with the connecting it to the drain bit. Are there any legalities around this, does it have to be inspected or signed off or anything like that?
The kitchen waste pipe appears to have no external outlet. We can only assume it goes under the (concrete) ground floor of the house to the downpipe from the bathroom which runs down at the front of the house. No drain access in the front garden either - the nearest one at the front is about 6m away, in the road. Yes, this strikes us as bizarre too, we didn't notice when buying the house!
Sounds like we need professional help at least with the connecting it to the drain bit. Are there any legalities around this, does it have to be inspected or signed off or anything like that?
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lutonlagerlout
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GB_Groundworks
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i'm with tony (Lll) on this its a job for a professional, if you block the main run my accident or error you are looking at £1000-£1000000 repair.
extreme example:
in my local town some people excavated their own footings for conservatory and clay pipe was in footing, they poured concrete and hit the pipe and it broke it with the weight of the flow and they put 4m3 of concrete down the sewer. ended up main road dug up replacing 30 metres of sewer and 3 weeks work and disturbance, insurance didn;t pay out etc nightmare job.
but you break into that chamber and its a brick one and say drop a half brick or a glove even you've got big problems on your hands
extreme example:
in my local town some people excavated their own footings for conservatory and clay pipe was in footing, they poured concrete and hit the pipe and it broke it with the weight of the flow and they put 4m3 of concrete down the sewer. ended up main road dug up replacing 30 metres of sewer and 3 weeks work and disturbance, insurance didn;t pay out etc nightmare job.
but you break into that chamber and its a brick one and say drop a half brick or a glove even you've got big problems on your hands
Giles
Groundworks and Equestrian specialists, prestige new builds and sports pitches. High Peak, Cheshire, South Yorkshire area.
http://www.gbgroundworks.com
Groundworks and Equestrian specialists, prestige new builds and sports pitches. High Peak, Cheshire, South Yorkshire area.
http://www.gbgroundworks.com
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DNgroundworks
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