A storm drainage system is designed to drain rainwater or surface water from non-porous soil. This land could be your paved parking lot or a concrete walkway. Storm drains are essential because they help prevent water from stagnating in your home, which can cause musty odors and health risks.
However, for storm drainage to perform efficiently, it must be constructed in accordance with prescribed standards. Below is a detailed discussion of factors to consider when constructing a culvert.
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Magnitude of Work
Building a culvert can be challenging without the proper knowledge and tools. Therefore, the first thing you need to consider is the magnitude of work involved in constructing a culvert. This helps you determine if it qualifies as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project or if you need to hire professionals.
If you want to build a small drain to prevent lawn flooding, you can consider it a DIY project. However, if a sizable area around your home is experiencing drainage issues, consider seeking the services of a professional plumber. Extensive storm drain construction work may require heavy equipment, such as an excavator, which you probably don't own.
To build a small storm drain, you need several tools and a perforated sheet of metal to cover the stormwater runoff entry point. This site offers information about perforated metal sheets that could be used for this purpose.
It is also essential to develop a project to solve drainage problems, taking into account several factors, such as the foundation. It would be advisable to consult an experienced plumber to ensure that the design and construction of the storm drainage system complies with local building codes.
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Terrain slope
An effective storm drain requires installation at a specific angle to allow water flow. Suppose a storm drain is constructed on a flat site. In this case, water may stagnate in the drain, leading to a possible blockage.
You can correct the situation by digging a trench for the drain. Allow a tilt toward the gravity area. You don't need to go too deep. A small step should be enough to ensure the drain bends slightly. In this position, wastewater will flow smoothly, aided by gravity.
A deep step will cause the water to flow too quickly and may lead to water stagnation in the end. You're likely to experience this with a French drain, where the water backs up into the surrounding soil.
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Existing utility lines
Building a culvert requires you to dig underground. Various services run underground, such as electricity and fiber cables, as well as plumbing pipes. One wrong move and you could damage other systems, interrupting services. Such damage involves considerable expense to repair. And there is also the possibility of legal action.
So consider calling service providers in your area and asking where their service lines are. Some will send you the designs, while others will go to the website and show you. You will know where to place your storm drain with this information.
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Tube to use
The type and size of pipe you should use will largely depend on the type of storm drain you intend to build. There are several types of manholes that you can adopt in your project. Most will require the use of brown polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. It doesn't need any manipulation during installation unless the length you are covering is long. In this case, you will need to join several tubes together until you reach the desired length.
However, if you are installing a French drain , you need perforated PVC pipe. You can buy one already drilled or buy regular brown PVC pipe and drill the holes yourself. Just make sure the holes are evenly distributed and are the proper diameter.
As for the size of the pipe, you must consider the amount of water you expect to pass through the pipe. Suppose you live in an area prone to heavy rain. It is better to opt for a large diameter PVC pipe. Water will penetrate quickly with a large diameter, and the pipe will remove it faster as more enters. With this, you don't have to worry about stagnant water.
On the other hand, if you don't expect a lot of rain or runoff, opt for a medium-sized pipe.
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The base
The base refers to the surface where you will place the pipes after digging them up. You can't just place pipes haphazardly. It is essential that the base is level and free of obstructions, such as roots.
Roots can cause problems in the future, such as when they enter pipes through joints. Over time, these roots will grow, causing blockages that will make it difficult for water to flow.
In extreme cases, your pipes could break, requiring costly repairs.
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Regulations
In most states, you need to obtain a permit before proceeding with the construction of a culvert. The reason is that there is a high probability that your storm drain will affect the homes around you and your municipality's plumbing system.
You need to inform the local government of your plans and submit the designs for approval. However, design approvals are often required when it comes to a large project. However, before starting your project, find out about the relevant regulations and standards.
Your proposed storm drainage system must comply with local building codes . These regulations govern storm drainage design and specify construction standards. Failure to comply can result in fines and penalties, especially if accidents occur due to violations.
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Discard Point
Before building your storm drain, you should have a clear idea of where the collected water will drain to. This information will help with planning and obtaining necessary permits. Will it drain into the public sewage system? Do you have a private sewer system with provisions for water recycling?
Suppose your planned disposal point is the nearest public sewer. You have to direct your pipes in that direction. Additionally, you need to identify the point where the water enters the sewer. It must be at a height that does not allow backflow if the sewer develops a problem or has a general overflow.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, you now have a working knowledge of the critical factors to consider when constructing a storm drain. Keep them in mind before starting this project, whether you decide to do it yourself or hire professional services. It is highly beneficial to have a well-constructed storm drain as it will help prevent flooding and stagnant water build-up, as well as protecting the surrounding infrastructure.
