Drainage System

Drainage means the removal of excess water from a given place.

Drainage systems can be classified into the rain-water pipe system and sewage pipe system.
The integral parts of a drainage system comprise the drain pipes, traps and manholes.

Drain pipes should by no means be connected in an improper way, e.g. sewage discharged
from sinks should not be emptied into any rain-water pipe.

Drainage outlets should be clear of rubbish or fitted with gratings to prevent rubbish from
blocking the pipes.

All drain pipes, including soil pipes, waste pipes, ventilating pipes and underground drain
pipes should be maintained in good working order without defects. All such pipes should be
inspected regularly, and where leakage, blockage or defects are detected, they should be rectified
immediately.

In order to prevent putrid air and insects in the soil pipe from entering the premises,
sanitary installations including hand basin, sinks, bathtubs and showers toilets and floor drains
should be fitted with a trap (U-shaped water trap, bottle traps or anti-siphon traps). If the
installation is not used regularly, pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet once a week.
Then, pour a teaspoon of 1:99 diluted household bleach solution into the drain outlet. For floor
drains, spray insecticide into the drain outlets after cleansing.

Aim of Drainage System

1. To maintain healthy conditions in the building

2. To dispose off waste water as early and quickly as possible
3. To avoid the entry of foul gases from the sewer or the septic tank
4. To facilitate quick removal of foul gases from the sewer or the septic tank
5. To facilitate quick removal of foul matter
6. To collect and remove waste matter systematically

Types of Residential Drainage Systems

There are four main types of residential drainage systems: surface, subsurface, slope, downspout
and gutters.

Surface Drainage System

For surface drainage to be successful, ditches must be dug in a parallel pattern. The ditches are
shallow and will act as canals for run-off water. The ditches will lead the water into the main drain or
away from the home to avoid water pooling or flooding. Surface drains are an absolute must if the
area is flat since water pooling could potentially cause problems in an area that has a lot of
precipitation. This can be done around buildings, walkways or driveways to keep water flowing
away from the structure.

Subsurface Drainage System

The general idea behind subsurface drains is that they are placed beneath the top layer of soil. This
removes excess water from soil at the root level that has become water logged. If roots sit in water
too long, they will begin to deteriorate and eventually the plant or tree will perish from too much
water. The process to install subsurface drains requires digging deep ditches and installing pipes
underground. A large collector drain must also be installed so the water can be collected from the
pipes. In most areas a sump pump will also be required in order to push the water through the pipes.
These can cause disruptions in the soil and the natural aeration of the soil as well as plant
respiration. This is also known as the French drain.

Downspout and Gutter System

The downspout is connected to the gutter system on a building or home and carries water away
from the roof down to the ground. The shape of the downspout pipes can be round or rectangular
and are comprised of copper, aluminum or steel. The purpose of the downspout is to catch the
water from the gutters and divert it to the ground. Most downspouts will empty out on a slope so
the water will not pool at the base of the downspout.

Slope Drainage System

Slope drains allow water to generally take its natural course away from the structure and with the
aid of pipes moving down a slope. A pipe is installed and then anchored into a small incline where
the water will follow gravity through the pipe and away from the structure. The pipe can be metal
plastic, steel or concrete and will be covered with a sturdy grate to keep people and animals from
falling into it.