Everything You Need to Know about Drain Piping

The science behind drain piping is not at all complex. It is neither battery nor electronically operated. The drainage system makes use of pressure and gravity to make sure wastewater flows into the pipes and away from the fixtures that they came from.

Observable Symptoms

You know that there is a problem in your drainage system when there is standing water 24 hours after a strong downpour. Other telltale signs that sewage is spewing somewhere and not making their way into the system are the following:

1.      Surrounding plants are turning yellow

2.      Shrubs are thinning despite plenty of sun

3.      Water intrusion through door sills and basements

4.      Moisture and water stains on fences and walls

5.      Presence of smelly puddles of water

6.      Dead leaves and pieces of trash are accumulating in specific areas

7.      Mud deposits on porches

These are observable symptoms to watch out for. The inability to correct the problem or fix the drain pipes will result to more problems. For instance, if rainwater doesn’t drain away, water will stand for an extended period of time and lead to mosquito infestation. Puddles of water that won’t go away will also significantly damage properties and plants.

Two Types of Drain Pipes

There are two common types of drain piping system: corrugated piping, and sewer & drain piping. Corrugated pipes are preferred by a number of contractorsfor their flexibility. They follow the natural grooves and contours of the ground and can adapt to underground topography.

There are three major disadvantages, however, when using a corrugated pipe. One, connections are not watertight since they are simply snapped together; two, there are more mineral deposits since the insides are not smooth; and three, a plumber’s snake cannot be used to clean out the pipes.

Meanwhile, sewer &drain pipes are typically smooth and much more rigid than the corrugated pipe. The most common sewer & drain pipe is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride)or a special type of plastic. The advantages of a PVC pipe are exactly the opposite of a corrugated pipe’s disadvantages. They disallow the formation of mineral deposits, are watertight when linked together and may be cleaned easily by a plumber’s snake.

Choosing the best pipes and coming up with the best piping system is important to make sure rainwater and wastewater move down the pipes efficiently.

Joyce Del Rosario is a blogger from Toronto Plumber, one the of the leading sites offering Plumbing Services.