Leaky Corrugated Drain Pipe
#1
06-23-14, 03:38 PM
Leaky Corrugated Drain Pipe
Upon inspection of my house, we discovered there is some water finding its way into a corner of the crawlspace. I tracked it down to a leaky tee fitting where my downspout meets the underground drain line.
I tried replacing the tee and using some sealant (silicone, I think...of course it didn't adhere well) but I am still getting a leak. I also discovered another leak farther down the pipe, so I need to fix that somehow.
I know this corrugated drain line isn't intended to have a really good seal, but is there anything I can do to make it better than it is?
I tried replacing the tee and using some sealant (silicone, I think...of course it didn't adhere well) but I am still getting a leak. I also discovered another leak farther down the pipe, so I need to fix that somehow.
I know this corrugated drain line isn't intended to have a really good seal, but is there anything I can do to make it better than it is?
#2
06-23-14, 05:05 PM
Group Moderator
Since you've already got it dug up I'd replace it with PVC. Corrugated piping is not designed to have leak proof connections so you're fighting an uphill battle. PVC joints are glued so they don't leak and it's smooth interior does not clog as readily as corrugated.
If you want to stay with your corrugated pipe I'd make sure it has fall/slope. If the pipe is level or close to it the water will fill up instead of draining away fast enough. Next make sure the pipe is clear and not clogged or partially clogged. You don't have pipe that seals well so you've got to do everything you can to get the water out of the pipe quickly. Then to seal the joints I'd try roofing tar. You can get it in a caulking tube. Squirt it in between the pieces before shoving them together.
If you want to stay with your corrugated pipe I'd make sure it has fall/slope. If the pipe is level or close to it the water will fill up instead of draining away fast enough. Next make sure the pipe is clear and not clogged or partially clogged. You don't have pipe that seals well so you've got to do everything you can to get the water out of the pipe quickly. Then to seal the joints I'd try roofing tar. You can get it in a caulking tube. Squirt it in between the pieces before shoving them together.
#3
06-23-14, 08:03 PM
Thanks for the response. I only have one corner of the house dug up, and the pipe goes around the entire perimeter of the house, so it would be quite the job to go pvc. There are no signs of any other problems, so I want to just fix this section and be done.
The pipe sits right on top of the footing around the entire house (well 3 sides of it) before it exits to the storm drain. So it's pretty much level. Seems stupid to use corrugated pipe for this application.
Anyways, I really like the idea of using tar to seal the joints. Any other ideas?
The pipe sits right on top of the footing around the entire house (well 3 sides of it) before it exits to the storm drain. So it's pretty much level. Seems stupid to use corrugated pipe for this application.
Anyways, I really like the idea of using tar to seal the joints. Any other ideas?
#4
07-24-14, 10:11 AM
Back to post an update. I searched around a bit more and the use of duct tape for sealing the joints popped up quite frequently. That seemed like an easy solution, as long as the duct tape would hold up. It seemed like it should being that is is buried and not exposed to UV which degrades it. Instead of using run of the mill duct tape I picked up a roll of the heavy duty Gorilla tape...that stuff is super tough and very sticky. I cleaned up all the pipes and removed all the old silicone that didn't stick before laying down the tape. I was very careful to lay the tape down flat and smooth to ensure I wasn't leaving any gaps. The nice thing with the corrugated pipe is that the ridges allow for several seals with the tape depending on how much you wrap it. Taped everything I could and filled the dirt back in, making sure to compact the dirt as much as possible around the pipe.
Yesterday we had HEAVY rain all day long. After work I made my way into the crawl space with my fingers crossed. No signs of water at all! I'd say the problem is fixed!
I should note that I looked around for other adhesives, but HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is very difficult to adhere to and any product that would do it is pretty expensive. I'd say (quality) duct tape is the way to go.
Yesterday we had HEAVY rain all day long. After work I made my way into the crawl space with my fingers crossed. No signs of water at all! I'd say the problem is fixed!
I should note that I looked around for other adhesives, but HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is very difficult to adhere to and any product that would do it is pretty expensive. I'd say (quality) duct tape is the way to go.
#5
07-24-14, 10:48 AM
Group Moderator
I have a few things that have been taped together with Gorilla tape for a couple years and still holding strong. The adhesive does change over time. It seems to get gooey-er and makes a mess every time I grab it but the tape shows no tendency to let go.
#6
07-25-14, 02:52 PM
Member
Perimeter Drain
The downspout should no be connected to the perimeter drain.
The downspout should be piped away from the house.
The perimeter pipe you have looks like it is covered with fabric. If so, the pipe has holes in it to let water in so the water can be carried away from the house. The down spout water will reverse the intended use of the perimeter pipe.
The downspout should be piped away from the house.
The perimeter pipe you have looks like it is covered with fabric. If so, the pipe has holes in it to let water in so the water can be carried away from the house. The down spout water will reverse the intended use of the perimeter pipe.
