Site drainage project: selection of location, slope, depth, drainage system elements

Low filtration of soils under the soil is the reason for the excess water in the area. It slowly goes into the lower layers or does not leak at all. Here cultivated plants grow poorly or do not take root at all, the territory is swamped, and slush is felt. In such cases, a drainage system is needed, which should be properly organized.

We will explain in detail how to make a site drainage project. Arranged according to our advice, the system will perfectly cope with responsibilities. Familiarization with the proposed information will be useful both to independent owners and landscape arrangement customers in a specialized company.

We presented proven in practice schemes for constructing drainage systems for suburban areas. The article describes in detail the factors requiring consideration in the design and construction of drainage. The information proposed for consideration is illustrated by photographs, diagrams, and videos.

Garden drainage designation

Reclamation measures, according to the norms (SNiP 2.06.15), are carried out in forest and agricultural lands, so that the soil becomes most suitable for growing fruit trees, grain and vegetable crops.

To do this, form an extensive system of open ditches or closed pipelines, the main purpose of which is to drain excessively wet areas.

The ultimate goal of collecting water through branches and hoses of various types is artificial or natural bodies of water (if conditions permit), special drainage ditches, absorbing wells or storage tanks from which water is pumped out for irrigation and maintenance of the territory.

Often pipes buried in the ground, if the terrain allows, are replaced by external structures - ditches and trenches. These are open drainage elements through which water moves by gravity.

Using the same principle, they construct a network of pipelines for a summer cottage, regardless of its area - 6 or 26 acres. If the area suffers from frequent flooding after rain or spring floods, the construction of catchment facilities is mandatory.

Clay soils contribute to the accumulation of excess moisture: sandy loam and loam, because they do not pass or pass water extremely weakly into the underlying layers.

Another factor that prompts you to think about a drainage project is the increased level of groundwater, the presence of which can be found without special geological exploration surveys.

If on the territory of the summer cottage they dug a pit under a cesspool or septic tank, and it was filled with water, then the aquifers are located in close proximity to the surface of the earth. When arranging a well with a drilling organization, you will receive data on the location of water horizons from specialists.

Even if the foundation stands, there is no guarantee of maintaining a comfortable environment inside the basement floors and basements: dampness, premature corrosion, fungus and mold may occur.

Over time, damp concrete and brick foundations become covered with cracks that are difficult to repair. On the contrary, they continue to grow, provoking movements of buildings. To prevent destruction, even at the stage of building construction, you need to think about the device effective drainage.

Excess moisture in the soil is always a danger to the integrity of the foundation of construction objects: houses, saunas, garages, utility buildings

Drainage elements

What is a drainage system? This is a network consisting of various components, the main purpose of which is the removal and collection of capillary water contained in the pores of incoherent soils and cracks of cohesive rocks.

The main underground elements are drainage pipes. They should not be confused with plumbing and sewer, since only water in the upper soil layers moves along them. And storm sewage is involved in collecting and discharging rain and melt water.

More flexible corrugated models are popular. The diameter of the pipes depends on the volume of fluid discharged, standard cross-sectional sizes: 50 mm, 63 mm, 90 mm, 110 mm, 125 mm, 160 mm, 200 mm. For central highways, products of a larger diameter are selected, for branches - a smaller one. Reinforced pipes consist of 2 layers.

The modern type of drainage pipes is products made of durable and high-load modified plastic (for example, HDPE). Pipe walls are covered with filter holes or cuts, some top views are covered with geotextiles

In the joints of several hoses or in areas where the pipes are rotated at a large angle, technical (revision) wells of the same material are installed. These are wide sections of corrugated pipes or specially manufactured factory models.

The drainage system may also include storage wells, which are installed at the lowest points of the site for efficiency. Drives are satisfied if there is no way to discharge the discharged water into a nearby body of water. All drainage lines lead to the wells. They transport water, which is often used for irrigation or household needs.

If the terrain does not allow to arrange a gravity flow system, drainage pumps are used. Various models (usually submersible type) are used to pump water through pipes in the right direction, differ in structural features and power

In addition to the basic elements of the system, fittings for connecting pipes, geotextiles and building material for arranging trenches and wells (sand, gravel or crushed stone, concrete rings, bricks) will be required.

Types of water drainage systems from the site

There are many drainage schemes, but all varieties can be combined into three large groups: open, closed and combined. In accordance with this, three main types of drainage structures are distinguished: surface, deep and also combined. Consider the features of each.

Features of open drainage

Water is collected by open drainage thanks to a system of ditches and trenches, that is, objects that are not covered by a layer of earth from above. Arrange it to collect and drain water from the soil-plant layer, i.e. for site drainage. The principle of the open system is based on the ability of groundwater to rush into the space freed from the ground as it flows into the well.

The branched network is located at a small angle so that the water that drains into the grooves flows by gravity outside the boundaries of the site (quarry or fire reservoir) or is accumulated for irrigation in a storage well.

The walls of the grooves of the open system, if necessary, are reinforced with compacted mint clay, laid out with cobblestone or tile. It is permissible to strengthen the interwoven flexible branches of shrubs or suitable trees.

In order to prevent the water inlets of the drainage system of the site from clogging with debris and foliage, protective gratings are sometimes installed

The final point for collecting water from the flooded drainage system is natural (rivers, lakes, ponds) and artificial reservoirs, as well as ditches, ravines, quarries located behind the fences of the summer cottage. The drainage network of the accumulative type involves the collection of transported underground water into the storage well.

System Features:

• coverage of all points of water accumulation;
• calculation of the slope of the drainage trenches;
• Protecting the system from clogging
• measures to prevent the emergence of new wetlands;
• the location of the catchment at the bottom of the terrain.

The norms of the slope of the channels depend on the type of soil: for clayey from 0.002, for sandy - from 0.003.

There is an opinion that open drainage is not aesthetic. This is not so, because many methods have been developed for beautifully designing external drainage systems.

One way is to use a pump to build a small waterfall or stream. In the dry season, a rocky or pebble bottom turns into a “dry stream”, which also looks very attractive among greenery

A significant drawback of open drainage lies in a tangible reduction in the usable area of ​​the site. There are restrictions on the depth of the laying of ditches and grooves, as it is not customary to arrange them below 0.5 - 0.7 m from the day surface.

If necessary, to build a drainage system at a greater depth, it is necessary to increase the width of the trenches, arrange transition bridges, carefully think over the drainage scheme so as not to impede the movement of people and personal equipment in the area.

Varieties of Closed Drainage

For the arrangement of closed drainage, an engineering project will be required, since all elements are underground, and the functionality of the system depends on their proper location. Distinguish between local and general view of deep drainage.

If you need to protect the foundation of only one building or divert water from the road - this is a local variety, if you decide to drain the entire site - the general.

Local types of systems, in turn, are divided into:

• wall (in clay soils, on the surface, along the perimeter of buildings - houses, baths, garages);
• reservoir (in the ground under the building);
• ring (in sandy soils, around buildings, below the foundation).

All of these types of closed drainage are used forprevent flooding the foundation, as well as to protect against seepage of groundwater into bulk and basement rooms.

Depending on location drainage pipes systems are divided into various types: horizontal (most popular in the country), vertical and combined.

All of these types (wall, ring and reservoir drainage) belong to the horizontal variety. Pipes are placed with a slight slope under the foundation or around it

To equip a vertical system using pumping equipment.This is a complex construction, therefore it is extremely rarely used for the improvement of the private sector. Accordingly, the combined type of deep drainage is not common.

Designing a drainage system

To achieve maximum results and create an effective water drainage system, it is necessary to draw up a drainage project. At drawing up a diagram and plan We recommend that you rely on the standards presented in SNiP 2.06.15-85. Here you can also find information on the sizes, quality and material of elements for drainage systems.

The project must necessarily include general provisions (for example, a drawing of a system on the territory of a summer cottage), and a detailed elaboration of all elements - from drainage pipes to wells and complex assemblies (+)

Mandatory application - an estimate indicating construction activities and amounts for materials and work.

Before drafting a project, you must independently or with the help of specialists prepare the following materials:

• data on the soil and upper soil layers (composition, technical characteristics);
• a plan of the location of all significant objects - buildings, a pool, arbors, roads;
• diagrams of the foundations of buildings in different angles and in section, indicating the dimensions and depth of the bookmark;
• topographic map of the cottage plot with indication of the features of the relief;
• scheme of existing surface and underground communications;
• data on the hydrogeological features of the area.

Also on the diagrams and drawings, it is desirable to indicate decorative objects and places of planting of green spaces. This is necessary so that the elements of the drainage system do not damage fruit trees, flower beds, alpine hills, etc.

Designs for sandy and clay soils vary. For example, for sandy ones it is easier to develop a system aimed at lowering the groundwater level, and for loams the most effective is local open drainage.

We remind you that the drainage system only works effectively with a professional approach, amateur schemes often do not work.

Rules and nuances of design

Many factors influence the choice of drainage type for a country house or the location of canals. For example, the terrain is of great importance. If the house is located on a hill, and the rest of the territory is located at a slight slope, then wall drainage is most likely not required, and groundwater can be removed from the site by creating a canal system.

The location of groundwater is important.

Difficulties with the installation of buried objects may arise if the level is high enough - from 1.5 m in depth. With this arrangement, the installation of a drainage structure is necessary both to ensure the protection of buildings and for the safe development of the soil layer

The nature of the surrounding area should also be considered. If the area around the site is swampy or a river flows nearby, and it seems to be dry on a personal plot, then for the purpose of prevention, it is also necessary to design a drainage system.

Consider in more detail the nuances that should also be considered when laying pipelines and trenches.

# 1: Depth and dimensions of the trunk

The location of the pipes of the closed drainage system is selected based on the design development taking into account the bias towards the catchment. The depth of the elements of the system depends on the level of groundwater. For a wall-mounted device, trenches are torn out at the level of the foundation foundation, since its purpose is to strengthen the waterproofing qualities of the underground structure and the protection of the basement.

Pipes arranged in a circular pattern are positioned at a distance of up to 3 m from the foundation. The depth of the pipes is greater than that of the wall structure, and most often below the location of the foundation (+)

Ring drainage is chosen if the construction of the house has already been completed, respectively, all waterproofing and protective measures have been completed.

If the soil of a garden plot constantly suffers from flooding by atmospheric precipitation or seepage of groundwater, systemic drainage is required throughout the territory. There are many options - from the arrangement of the system around the perimeter to the extensive network, in which all summer cottage facilities (buildings, road surfaces, garden plots) are involved.

The direction of the canals and pipelines is strict - towards the catchment facilities or ditches located outside the territory of the personal plot. This way drainage pipes are laid with a slopenecessary for the free movement of groundwater collected by drains to unloading facilities.

# 2: Slope standards for drainage pipes

Water in horizontally located pipes will stagnate if laid without a slope, the parameters of which are indicated in regulatory documents.

For clay and sandy soil, which has various degrees of water permeability, the norms differ:

• loam and clay - from 0.003 or more;
• sand and sandy loam - from 0.002 and more.

If you translate the values ​​into millimeters, you get 3 mm / linear. meter and 2 mm / linear meter respectively.

The minimum parameters are taken taking into account the fact that the lowest velocity of water movement through channels and pipes is equal to 1.0 m / s. This is possible if the drains are in good condition, that is, they are not silted and clogged with sand.

When calculating the maximum possible speed take into account the properties of the surrounding soil, as well as the quality of sprinkling. Do not slope at intervals - it must be observed throughout the pipeline / channel. For hilly terrain, drainage options with differences, with the installation of adapters in the inspection wells, are possible.

Popular drainage schemes

Consider several schemes that are often included in the project drainage at home plot. Among them are systems for draining water from the house, as well as catchment structures of an expanded form.

One of the most common schemes is wall drainage to improve the characteristics of the waterproofing protection of the foundation and basement.

The wall system serves as an effective protection of basements and basements from flooding. It prevents both destructive processes from the outside and dampening of the interior

The layout of the storage well for the collection and further use of drainage water is useful to those who are used to economically consume natural resources.

A drainage well is a large tank of plastic, brick or concrete, which is installed at the bottom of the site. Pipelines and trenches from all over it lead to it.

Variant of open drainage scheme. The best option for summer residents who own personal plots with a slope or uneven terrain.

Designations: 1 - gutter trench; 2 - a fence of a garden site; 3- ditch off site; 4 - channels or drains; 5 - collector. The location of the channels can be changed depending on the specific features of the relief

Sketch drainage for landscaping the garden and territory adjacent to the house. Judging by the figure, the house does not need a separately equipped drainage structure.

Traditional elements of the drainage system: 1 - channels / bends; 2 - central highway leading to the collector / well; 3 - inspection wells at the intersection of pipes (not needed for surface drainage); 4 - storage well or drainage tank

Of course, the choice of the scheme completely depends on the conditions of a particular suburban area, therefore, the design should begin with a study of your own territory.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A few useful tips will help to expand knowledge of drainage systems, and may be useful in the construction of structures or trenches with your own hands.

Video # 1. Recommendations for the construction of budget drainage to protect the foundation:

Video # 2. Useful information about different drainage methods:

Video # 3. Tips for choosing drainage pipes:

Designing a drainage system is a responsible occupation that only a specialist can handle. Incorrect pipe laying or errors in the design of engineering structures can cause significant harm.

To protect a house or a plot from groundwater or rainwater, we advise you to contact the design organization. This does not exclude the possibility that you can carry out some landscape improvement activities yourself.

Want to share your own experience in the design or operation of a drainage system? Have questions or useful information on the topic of the article? Please write comments in the block below.