How to Install Underground Drainage?

Time to update your underground drainage? This can be a big job without professional expertise. So why not seek advice from the team of experts at Total Pipeline Systems? We can provide you with top tips for installation and any additional support that you require to help simplify the installation process and maximise efficiency.

If you’re planning to install underground drainage systems, you need to carefully plan your project to make sure that you have every aspect covered. It’s essential that you dedicate enough time to your project and choose a day that the weather isn’t against you - installing drainage pipes in the pouring rain is nobody’s idea of fun!

Ask the building control department for permission

Whether you’re planning on installing new underground drainage or simply looking to update your current system, you are obliged to inform the building control department to ensure that your proposals are suitable.

However, if you are only carrying out simple improvement tasks, such as the replacement of a few drainage pipes - you don’t need to seek approval from the building control department.

Find essential equipment

Installing underground drainage doesn’t need to be difficult or time-consuming - you just need the right tools for the job.

Essential equipment you will need:

• Workbench
• Mini digger
• Tape measure
• Marker pen
• Spirit level
• Hacksaw
• File
• Safety hat
• Goggles
• Pea shingle
• Underground drainage pipes and pipe fittings.

We recommend acquiring all the items listed above before you start to install your underground drainage – this will help to reduce fitting time.

Although it may appear pretty obvious; our top tip for successful underground drainage installation is to make sure that you order enough supplies for your entire project. It is always better to have more than you need!

Choose underground drainage pipes

Here at Total Pipes, we have a wide range of underground drainage products available for you to choose from, including the underground drainage pipes which are brown in colour.

Our underground drainage pipes are supplied in 110mm and 160mm and accord to EN1401 standards. The 100mm pipes and pipe fittings are manufactured to suit precise specifications and are available in a range of connections.

Whether you’re looking for socket bends, couplers, reducers or adapters, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at Total Pipes!

Cut and join pipes

The 110mm and 160mm UPVC pipes can easily be cut to size and are chamfered at the end. Using a hacksaw, you have the option to cut the pipe to suit your exact specification and it can be chamfered using a file.

When the drainage pipes are cut, any dirt must be removed and they need to sit square to the fitting to allow them to be pushed into the socket.

When joining drainage pipes, why not consider the single socket adjustable bends that we provide? The adjustable bends are guaranteed to fit perfectly and prevent you from purchasing connectors that don’t fit correctly.

Dig a trench

To install underground drainage, you need to excavate the land and dig a trench according to British standards and building regulations. The trench needs to be 300mm wider than the pipes themselves to ensure that they fit with ease. When digging a trench, remember to fence off the area of excavation from children and pets.

Lay pipes

Once the trench has been dug, you need to line it with pea shingle or gravel to provide a base layer. After this, you’ll need to check for leaks before you can backfill the trench.

When backfilling the trench, use 100mm of granular materials to cover the drainage pipes and fill the rest of the trench with the soil that was dug out earlier.

Connect to above ground drainage

Now you need to connect the underground drainage system to the above ground drainage system. Any compatible underground drainage systems should easily attach to the above ground system, saving you a great deal of time and effort.

In addition to this, you’ll need to connect rainwater pipes and waste pipes to the system using our high-quality adapters.

Test the system

To ensure that your underground drainage is fitted according to industry standards, you need to be prepared to test the system. Testing it will determine how well that the system performs - providing you with the peace of mind that it will operate efficiently.

For expert advice, call us on 01282 222077 today.