Residential Installation of Plastic Underground Drainage Pipes

Underground Drainage Pipes

• Perforated pipes, also referred to as drainage tiles or plastic pipes, are flexible or rigid polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene pipes manufactured for underground use. Half the circumference of the pipe is punctured with small holes. Excess water seeps into the holes of the pipe and either eventually infiltrates the ground or is discharged to an outlet. Flexible pipes are most suitable for light-duty and landscape work as they're easily damaged. Rigid pipes are more durable.

Foundations and Pipes

• It's important that water drains away from the house foundation; the structure and property can be damaged by water seeping under the foundation. Building regulations require perforated pipes to be installed next to the base of the foundation to capture excess moisture and direct it to a safe discharge point. Install perforated pipes in an underground channel to carry moisture away from the house if the surface adjacent to the foundation doesn't have enough slope to drain.

Roofs and Pipes

• Roofs discharge a great deal of runoff through downspouts. Downspouts should direct water away from the foundation. If the surface is too flat to allow water to drain, the downspout can be connected to a perforated pipe. The pipe is buried in an underground drainage channel lined with gravel and geotextile cloth to keep sediment from clogging the holes. The pipes are covered with gravel, and can be left as an exposed gravel channel or landscaped.

Installing Underground Pipes

• Perforated pipes between 4 inches and 12 inches in diameter are generally adequate for residential projects. The pipe can be buried up to 4 feet, but the flexible type should only be used for shallow depths. You need to check building regulations for the recommended depth for subsurface drainage in your area. Ultimately, you want to consult with a professional about drainage, especially for foundation issues, roof runoff discharge, under the driveway and other critical locations to avoid complications.