Rules of operation and maintenance of the drainage system and storm sewer system

Sufficient upkeep of the storm sewer and drainage systems is necessary to ensure the longevity and seamless operation of your house’s infrastructure. These systems, which are frequently disregarded, are essential for shielding your property from flooding and water damage. Your home will remain dry and safe as long as you follow a few basic guidelines for maintenance and operation with your storm sewer and drainage systems.

The first step in maintaining your storm sewer and drainage systems properly is to understand their fundamental functions. While the storm sewer system is built to handle larger volumes of water, especially during heavy rainfall or storms, the drainage system is in charge of eliminating extra water from your property. Together, these systems guard the exterior of your house from water buildup, preserving its structural integrity and averting water damage.

Maintaining the cleanliness of your storm sewer and drainage systems from obstructions and debris is one of the most crucial operating guidelines. Debris like leaves and twigs can build up in downspouts, drains, and gutters, causing blockages that prevent water from flowing freely. In order to avoid obstructions and guarantee that water can exit your property without restriction, it is important to routinely check and clean these parts.

Maintaining your storm sewer and drainage systems on a regular basis will help you avoid expensive repairs and water damage to your property. Plan regular examinations of these systems to look for indications of wear and tear. Early problem solving helps keep problems from growing into bigger ones later on. Additionally, to keep the systems functioning properly, make sure to remove any debris or blockages as soon as possible.

It is especially important to maintain your storm sewer and drainage systems during the winter. Water can build up around your house due to blocked drains and downspouts caused by ice buildup brought on by freezing temperatures. Install heating components or use salt to melt ice as preventive measures against ice buildup. You can protect your systems from potential water damage and make sure they keep working properly by being watchful throughout the winter.

Maintenance of the drainage system

The drainage system requires routine upkeep and care just like any other utility. Two categories of maintenance tasks exist.

Periodic inspection

Comprises routine drainage well and collector cleaning and inspection. Such inspections are required following floods or periods of heavy rain. Soil particles are deposited on the bottom of the drainage well due to its design. They build up to the point where they can eventually enter the drainage pipes. It’s critical to keep an eye on the amount of accumulated sludge. It shouldn’t get to the pipe’s outlet-inlet level. In the event that significant contamination is found, the well needs to be cleaned.

Special revision wells are installed during the installation of a drainage system to make drain maintenance easier.

The device must be cleaned with a drainage pump. Selecting a suitable model of equipment, special attention is paid to technical characteristics. Certain devices are made exclusively to pump clean water. They won’t be able to operate with liquid that has fibers, sand, tiny inclusions, etc.2. Selecting a drainage-fecal pump—which can pump water even with large contaminants—will be the right decision if the well is significantly contaminated. It has a unique crushing wheel that breaks up all of the big inclusions.

Experts advise cleaning drainage wells with apparatus that has a float. This is the name of a surface-floating switch. The device cuts off the pump when it reaches the bottom. A unit that is used without a float of this kind needs to be continuously observed. Engines left on the surface are susceptible to overheating because the liquid they are submerged in cools them down.

Cleaning a drainage well is done in the following manner:

• The pump is immersed into the well, fixing it at a distance of 0.5-1 m from the bottom.
• Switch on the equipment. The pumped liquid is cleaned from contaminants.
• Under pressure, we feed clean water into the well, which destroys silt deposits on the bottom.
• In the process of operation, the pump is occasionally understood on the surface and the filter is cleaned.

The well is safely sealed after cleaning, and the pipe outlets are similarly sealed. This is required to keep contaminants and debris out of the system.

Inspection wells are cleaned with drainage pumps. Selecting a device with a "float," or ability to function without constant supervision, is preferable.

Major drainage cleaning

Once every few years, the system undergoes capital cleaning, which entails clearing deposits from pipe walls and, if needed, repairing them. There are various methods for implementing the measure.

Mechanical cleaning of the system

The location and design of the drains influence the cleaning method selection. The best option for parts that are on the surface is manual cleaning. It is possible to complete this task on your own, without the assistance of experts. More intricate steps involving excavation work will be required if the drainage is buried deeper in the ground. A pneumatic unit with a shaft, cleaning tool, and specialized nozzle that can crush large contaminants and remove deposits from the pipeline walls might be required. It is advised to perform this kind of cleaning at least once every three to four years.

Not buried in the ground, ditches can be manually cleaned without specialized equipment or expert assistance.

Drain flushing

Using a hose and a pump, the system is cleaned in rows during this process. Flushing is done once every ten to fifteen years. Access to every part from all directions is required to complete this process. When the system was being built, specific outlets were installed to bring the other side of the pipe to the surface. One side of the pipe is connected to the well.

Fittings allow the pipes to be extended and moved to the desired location. In order to flush the pipe, pumping equipment is connected alternately to its first and second edges. Water is then forced through the pipe under pressure. Compressed air is also supplied to the system via a compressor. Because the water flow effectively crushes and washes out the sediments and debris from the drenches, this method works very well.

Cleaning the system from siltation

Geotcanning is used, which is laid at the stage of drain installation, to prevent siltation of the drainage system. However, the trench may still silt up in this situation, in which case saltpeter is used to clean it. The following is how the procedure is executed:

• The top layer of turf to crushed stone is removed.
• Saltpeter is scattered on top of the crushed stone backfill.
• The system is abundantly spilled with water.
• The turf is laid in place.

This technique makes it possible to significantly prolong the deep drainage system’s lifespan. However, because using nitrate on a homestead plot can negatively impact the quality of the soil, it should only be used very sparingly and in an emergency.

When laying the drainage system, geofabric is used to keep the system from silting up. A covering of protection is "wrapped" around the crushed stone or sand pillow.

Drainage system maintenance and "winterization"

It is advised to abide by the following basic guidelines in order to keep the drainage system functioning properly:

• The upper soil layer should always be loose to absorb moisture well. Therefore, all movements of heavy machinery on the plot should be excluded.
• When designing a drainage system, it is optimal to install a revision well at the beginning, at the end and at each turn with an interval of one, which will maximize the ease of maintenance of the system and increase the efficiency of its work.
• The collector should be cleaned regularly. This should be done once every two to three years.

Long-term trouble-free drainage system operation is ensured by timely maintenance and strict adherence to installation guidelines. Experts estimate that such drainage has a fifty-year service life on average. After that, the polymer components will start to break down, but the system will still work for roughly twenty years because of the volumetric filter.

Professional methods that are very effective can be used to clean the system. Storm sewer cleaning using the hydrodynamic method is shown in the picture.

The drainage system functions in periods. The heaviest loads are in spring and fall, when the snow melts and rains come. In summer and winter, the load on the system is significantly reduced. In addition, the level of liquid in the drain in winter is minimal. This is due to the fact that water does not come from above, and the groundwater level is the lowest. This does not apply to peat soils. Here the drainage can work all year round. The water level in the pipes can be determined very simply by looking in the inspection well. Even if there is liquid in it, you should not worry, provided that the following rules are observed:

• The boards are laid below the ground freezing level.
• The pipes have a sufficient diameter. As practice shows, in a 110 mm diameter part the water layer is 10 mm on average. Thus, the air present in the pipes will prevent them from bursting.
• The drains are laid in a voluminous crushed stone filter, which serves as a good heat insulator.

There won’t be a need for extra winter preparation if these guidelines are followed. The only situation in which removing the drainage pump from the drainage well will be required is if the building is uninsulated. The equipment must be installed prior to the spring flood, which is expected to happen around the end of March or the beginning of April.

The longevity and effectiveness of the infrastructure in your home depend on the proper upkeep of the storm sewer and drainage systems. You can keep these systems operating and avoid expensive damages by adhering to a few basic guidelines.

First and foremost, the secret to seeing possible problems before they get worse is to conduct routine inspections. Establish the routine of checking your drains, downspouts, and gutters at least twice a year, particularly prior to the start of the rainy season. Take note of any obstructions, like leaves or debris, and get rid of them right away to stop water from building up and possibly flooding.

Remember that the way you landscape can have a big impact on how well your drainage system works. To stop water from collecting around your house, make sure the ground slopes away from the foundation. Additionally, to divert extra water away from your property, think about installing a dry well or a French drain.

It’s imperative to keep ice buildup in your gutters and downspouts during the winter. In order to avoid ice dams, clean them out in the fall and think about adding heating cables. You can prevent possible water damage to your interior walls and roof by doing this.

An additional aspect of routine drainage system maintenance is being aware of what goes down the drain. Grease, oil, and other materials that can solidify and clog pipes should not be poured. Install drain covers as well to keep debris out of the system and away from clogs.

Finally, do not be afraid to seek professional assistance if you experience any serious problems with your storm sewer or drainage system. Trying to solve complicated issues on your own may result in more damage and higher repair bills. To guarantee that the issue is handled accurately and effectively, always seek the advice of a licensed contractor or plumber.

Your home’s storm sewer and drainage systems can be safeguarded by following these easy maintenance and operation guidelines, which will ultimately save you time, money, and the headache of having to deal with avoidable damages.

Proper maintenance of your home"s drainage and storm sewer system is crucial for preventing water damage and maintaining the integrity of your property. Regular inspection and cleaning of gutters, downspouts, and drains ensure smooth water flow, reducing the risk of leaks and blockages. Remove debris, such as leaves and twigs, from gutters and downspouts to prevent clogs. Inspect and repair damaged or worn-out components to prevent water from seeping into your home"s foundation. Additionally, ensure that the storm sewer system is clear of any obstructions to prevent flooding during heavy rains. By following these simple maintenance rules, you can protect your home from water damage and maintain a safe and dry environment for you and your family.

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