When you want to expand your house, you will need to change your drainage system. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a matter of adding new pipes to expand the kitchen or steering the rainwater into an underground drain, it is imperative that the change of your drainage system is well done.
If You Are In Doubt Go To the Drain Extension Experts
Modifying the drainage system is not easy, but it does not necessarily mean that it’s the hardest part of expanding your home. If you have any doubts on how to modify your drainage system to make it easier for your extension to fit in, please contact a qualified consultant from Blocked Drains West Sussex for advice.
Planning Drainage Modifications Is Very Important
To avoid traps when changing the drainage system, plan what you want it to look like. It is easy to connect the roof drainage and above-ground pipeline, while underground drainage is a bit difficult.
There are three ways to create an underground drainage pipe for your home. First, ask the local water authority or Council whether they have a home plan and if so, use it as your reference. You’ll most likely have to pay for this, but it’s almost certainly cheaper than renting geodetic staff to find out how to get to your home.
The main disadvantage of using city council plans is that there is a possibility that things have changed since the construction of the house.
If you use land surveyors, you should get the latest information about the drainage system, but the costs will be higher. There is one more option, and it is to open the shaft yourself and do the necessary work yourself. It is best to use one of two other options unless you are sure you can do it efficiently.
Two Different Types of Drainage
Changing underground drainage can be difficult. There are two types of underground drainage in your house, called foul water drainage and surface water drainage.
The drainage system of surface waters consists of gutters, pipes, and drains that transmit rainwater away from your house to the closest river or canal.
Foul water drainage pipes take the stuff that is flushed down your toilet and water from your washing machine, kitchen sink, shower, bath, to the closest public sewer.
Except on very old homes, these two systems are always separated, and it is only ever acceptable to let the surface water run into a foul water drainage system, never the other way round.
Grey Water – the Third Category
Grey Water – the Third CategoryIt should be known that there is an increasing interest in ‘grey’ water systems. This system separates water from the bathroom and sink from water from the toilet for health reasons and collects that water in the reservoirs.
Then the water is filtered and pumped into the tanks to be used for a home where there is no need for pure water. For washing the car, for example, or watering the garden or for flushing toilets.
There is a growing interest in water systems that reduce the consumption of resource exhaustive and expensive clear water where it is not entirely needed. Also, it reduces the quantity of water that drainage has to cope with and reduces the risk of flooding. In the UK, this system is still rare and in the early days.
Regulations and Planning
If you need to replace a drain, you must make a detailed plan, so all problems are fixed before replacing starts.
Regardless of whether it is necessary to approve the changes of the underground drainage system depending on your DIY project, in each case you should seek professional advice.
Read Part H of schedule 1 of the Building Regulations, if you want to find out what exactly you need to follow when changing the drainage system. There is a high chance that you will be visited by a building inspector to check that you have fulfilled all the regulations issued.
Modifications of Drainpipes and Gutters
When expanding your home, if you just want to add or change your roof drainage system, it’s the most straightforward modification.
You have to find the same drainage system that you are currently using in your home. In this way, it will be much easier to connect new pieces to existing ones, and it will be aesthetically more beautiful than using a different drainage system.
You will use tools such as a spirit level, an electric drill, screwdriver, sturdy ladder, and some screws and wall plugs for installing gutters and drainpipes. Try to use some silicone sealant to fill in any small gaps if you want to join drainage pieces of different makes.
Modifications of Underground Drains
Maybe it seems too obvious, but you must remember two essential and simple rules when you want to change drains or add new ones. At first, you have to be sure that all drains go downhill. The downhill angle only has and must be continuous. If you install the shoddy gutter, it will mean it become overflow and full in place of directing water to drains. Also, they will begin to sag and their lifetime will shorten drastically.
If you don’t pay attention to this rule when you want to install your underground drain system, it will provoke overflowing drains, blockages and bad smells, so you will have to apply the next rule.
It is essential that all drainage systems and their water pipes can be unblocked. You can get this done by finding locating bends in the pipework and inspection chambers at junctions in the drainage system.
Also, you have to be aware of the channels that allow air into the drainage system. They are visible in inspection chambers, and they are higher up and a smaller bore than the channels that take the water away. You can’t block them because the air is needed to replace the water in the drains. If you want to make such significant changes that you would need new inspection chambers and major junctions, then it is best for you to get expert assistance.