Joining/coupling pipe for outdoor drainage
#1
03-09-15, 12:33 PM
Joining/coupling pipe for outdoor drainage
Hi. I've attached a very rough drawing of my plans to install a yard drain in my backyard to drain away standing water after heavy rains that sometimes end up in my basement. I have existing, buried 4" pvc pipe that my downspouts drain into, as well as my sump pump discharge pipe. I'd like to tie the yard drain into the existing 4" pvc pipe but not sure of the best way to do it.
Should I run pipe straight up and use a Tee fitting or run the pipe to the right and use a Wye fitting? If I put in the possible 2nd drain, should I run that in parallel with the first drain or keep it separate?
Also, since the existing 4" pvc is buried and I'll only be digging up enough pipe to make the cuts I need for the Tee or Wye, I won't be able to lift either end of the pipe to slide the Tee or Wye on. How would I go about doing this? Would I need a rubber coupler that's rated for underground use? Would I need to use a corrugated Tee or Wye that has some flexibility to it? Am I going about this all wrong?
Thanks!
Should I run pipe straight up and use a Tee fitting or run the pipe to the right and use a Wye fitting? If I put in the possible 2nd drain, should I run that in parallel with the first drain or keep it separate?
Also, since the existing 4" pvc is buried and I'll only be digging up enough pipe to make the cuts I need for the Tee or Wye, I won't be able to lift either end of the pipe to slide the Tee or Wye on. How would I go about doing this? Would I need a rubber coupler that's rated for underground use? Would I need to use a corrugated Tee or Wye that has some flexibility to it? Am I going about this all wrong?
Thanks!
#2
03-09-15, 06:03 PM
Group Moderator
I have a similar setup. We made like little vaults or pits in the ground with cinder block and metal grates and the 4" pipe runs thru them. Makes a good place to do clean outs.
You should use Wye connections. You want something you can snake in the future if need be and a fitting where debris won't get caught. It's pretty to hard to keep everything out of the yard drains. You can use those slip on rubber couplers (ferncos) to make connections.
For the first time in over thirty years mine froze underground. My line handles the yard drains and the downspouts. I don't have a sump pump. I'm pretty sure it froze under the driveway. The lines have backed up but nothing life threatening.
You should not hard couple your sump pump into the line in case of freezing or blockage. The following diagram should help. If the 4" line became clogged the water would overflow the top of the drain line instead of backing up inside the house.
You should use Wye connections. You want something you can snake in the future if need be and a fitting where debris won't get caught. It's pretty to hard to keep everything out of the yard drains. You can use those slip on rubber couplers (ferncos) to make connections.
For the first time in over thirty years mine froze underground. My line handles the yard drains and the downspouts. I don't have a sump pump. I'm pretty sure it froze under the driveway. The lines have backed up but nothing life threatening.
You should not hard couple your sump pump into the line in case of freezing or blockage. The following diagram should help. If the 4" line became clogged the water would overflow the top of the drain line instead of backing up inside the house.
#3
03-10-15, 07:51 AM
Thanks for the info, PJmax! I didn't even think about the difficulty I'd have in trying to snake a Tee fitting. I'm really glad you mentioned that! So I guess I'll go with the pvc wye fittings and rubber couplers. I figured that was better than trying to use corrugated pipe. I'll probably buy a pre-made basin from HD or Lowes. They sell a few different sizes. I'm figuring the bigger the better.
I can certainly understand how your lines froze considering those brutal temps we had here in January. In your diagram, are you showing one of those iceguard discharge line connections? I had been worried about my discharge line freezing but when thinking back, I realized that my sump pump really never cycles on in winter. March or April is when the pit will first start filling up, so the frozen pipe threat is probably minimal by then.
BTW....Sorry my drawing is so tiny. Couldn't find a way to make it bigger.
I can certainly understand how your lines froze considering those brutal temps we had here in January. In your diagram, are you showing one of those iceguard discharge line connections? I had been worried about my discharge line freezing but when thinking back, I realized that my sump pump really never cycles on in winter. March or April is when the pit will first start filling up, so the frozen pipe threat is probably minimal by then.
BTW....Sorry my drawing is so tiny. Couldn't find a way to make it bigger.
