6 Steps To Install The Sewer Drain Pipe

Want to know how to install a sewer drain pipe? Stay on this page and learn more about essential procedures as well as the ins and outs of sewer pipes. All the information below gives you a solid understanding of the instructions and other relevant details that you need to understand beforehand.

What is a sewer drain pipe?

Before you begin, it’s essential to be able to identify sewer lines from other types of pipes. A sewer drain is a system of pipes that carries waste water from different sections of your home, including waste waterdroppings and other dirty substances to a water treatment facility in your area.

Before being transported to its final destination, the waste and wastewater pass through a large neighborhood pipe. From there, most of the dirty elements are transported to a treatment unit to be filtered and cleaned.

Due to the nature of its process, sewage pipes are generally stationed underground. The location also helps minimize potential water contamination in your household. And generally, sewer drains are managed by your local water authority. Sometimes it can be administered by private individuals.

You may wonder why this is the responsibility of your local utility company. Well, because sewer drains are different from drainage systems. Drainage is the structure of pipes that run through your home and to the city sewer, and drainage is managed by the homeowner or property owner.

Sewer drain pipe

Why are sewer pipes and drainage crucial?

In every home, there should be a drain line which ensures the removal of all waste water and dirty elements from your household. If this is not present in your home, can you imagine where all the waste water in your residence would be stored?

From now on, as a homeowner or perhaps a business owner, you need to facilitate the construction of proper drainage to avoid significant problems in the long run. On the other hand, if you want to know about installing a sewer drain line, then continue reading below.

What are the steps in installing a sewer drain pipe?

Understanding the process of installing a sewer line is essential, especially if you are working for the premises companies and water companies. To give you an idea, we have listed the essential procedures, starting with choosing the right materials.

1. Distinguish the best pipe materials.

You should know that there are various types of pipes, each with specific functions. There are three primary materials used for sewer drains and we will discuss them one by one.

  • Concrete pipes ― this is the most recommended option among experts when it comes to infrastructure that is buried. Concrete pipes are very durable and last a long time. Another impressive feature of concrete is that it is rot resistant with less maintenance.

Although concrete is considered to be the most suitable choice, it must be handled with care as its physical properties are prone to cracking. In addition, this requires thorough inspections, especially during installation.

  • Plastic pipes ― when it comes to a variety of sizes, plastic pipes such as PVC take first place. In addition, there are different sizes and lengths available for easy selection. Like concrete, plastic pipes are also long-lasting and ideal for earthquake-prone locations.
  • Galvanized iron and cast iron pipe ― the durable properties of these two steel piles make it another good recommendation for sewer drains. However, there are certain disadvantages that you need to consider, such as a higher risk of rust and expensive features.

What are the steps in installing a sewer drain pipe?

2. Start measuring.

Once you have chosen the most suitable material, you can now start with determining the depth of the pipe. This step is very important because it serves as the foundation for the sewer pipe. Therefore, you need to determine the distance first sewer system as well as the elevation and length of the pipeline.

How far is the home’s main drain from the main sewer line designated by the city or local municipality? How far down should the pipe go from the surface? In this regard, you need to use tools to help you determine the measurement.

One of the most essential tools is a GPS, which allows you to identify the distance from your home’s main sewer outlet to your faucet or local sewer connection. In addition to GPS, you can also use a laser level. There are also traditional surveying tools such as theodolite and total station among others.

3. Determine the slope.

After distinguishing distance and elevation, you now need to calculate the slope. To arrive at the initial slope calculation, add both the length of the pipe and the elevation of the pipe. The process for determining the total drop in elevation as well as the slope is calculated below:

Final Share minus Initial Share = Total Share

Total drop in grade divided by total pipe length = slope

Another important thing you should consider is the standard minimum slope of the sides. This is usually 2 feet per drop for every 100 feet of run or simply 2%.

In addition, you must consider the coder requirements set by your local city. Therefore, if the actual slope is steeper compared to the target, you should follow the variance set by the city.

You should also be aware of the possible risks and consequences that may arise from it inaccurate measurements. If the slope is too steep, it causes difficult passage of solids, which then leads to waste accumulation and clogging. Thus, steeper angles are only favorable for liquids.

On the other hand, if the slope is too low, it could not create enough velocity necessary for efficient drainage.

Determine the slope.

4. Start digging the trench.

The next step would be to excavate the surface and dig the trench. This is quite a challenge because you have to take into account the characteristics of the ground or soil. Is it too soft or too hard? However, when digging, you must be careful to ensure that there will be no disturbance to the surroundings.

Try to focus on creating a narrow trench. It is also suggested that you first master the technical aspects of the termination point of a pipeline to make this task more efficient.

Afterwards, you need to smooth the bottom of the trench to prepare the bedding material. Often, sand is used to create a more compact surface while following the desired slope.

5. Place the pipes well.

Once the trench is successfully adjusted, you can now install the pipe one by one. In doing so, you should start with the lower end and then continue with the higher altitude. This specific way of installation is essential because it minimizes possible leaks.

And if you use a PVC pipe, then it can be easily connected by solvent glue. Some also use gasket filling to join two pipes. A gasket is very useful in these conditions as it securely connects the flanges to create a leak-proof seal.

When laying the pipes, you need to understand that there would be a two-way structure – the one that connects to the main city sewer and the other that connects to the house. Note that there are certain guidelines between the two pipe lines.

Place the pipes well.

The connecting pipe on the main line comply with the regulations established by the local administration. Therefore, you should have an idea of ​​the standard pipe size and material according to local code. On the other hand, connecting the pipes at the end of the house usually uses standard 4” pipe sizes.

Apart from that, the line leading to the house should have at least two clearings to your house. These cleaning points are vital to provide easy access to pipe cleaning using a sewer auger. This is a key tool designed for remove the clogs and sediment build-up from runoff.

6. Backfill the excavated hole.

After laying the pipes and checking for leaks, it’s time to fill the trench. During this step, you need to start layering the surface with sand. This helps ensure there are no gaps and provides protection against unwanted damage to the pipeline.

After that, add layers of soil, making sure each section is well compacted. Soil compaction is imperative because it prevents the soil from settling. Settlement is an unfortunate downward movement of soil that can cause future soil problems or even accidents.

And ideally, it is better to include a warning tape on the first layer of soil. This feature can serve as a warning sign during re-excavation. Provides information to installers and others that the piping system is installed below ground.

Improper filling and missing any of the basic procedures could lead to costly repairs. Therefore, you have to be careful from the first step to the last.

Conclusion

The installation of a sewer drain pipe is normally left to expert plumbers. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek professional help if you want to complete this task successfully. But of course, it pays to have a solid knowledge of drain pipe installation so that you can use it in the future.