When integrating a drainage system into your new driveway, it is vital to work with experts who can deliver reliable service and advice. Here at M.A. Hart, we’re pleased to offer clients comprehensive service for all aspects of drainage. Our team have the knowledge required to confidently install, maintain, and repair the drainage system in your home exterior. Read on to find out what drainage systems we offer and discover which option would be suitable for your property.
SUDS
SUDS, or sustainable drainage systems as they are otherwise known as, are a push to ensure that modern drainage systems are brought in line with natural water processes. It describes a collection of practices aimed at careful water management. When a surface is described as SUDS compatible, it indicates that various aspects of the surface are compatible with the natural water cycle. This cycle describes things such as storm surge overflows, soil percolation, and bio-filtration.
Permeable Pavement
The idea of a permeable surface is to allow any surface water to drain through. This is why permeable pavement systems are typically installed, as they allow water to pass through to the underlying soil. Either a porous material is used, or a traditional pavement is taken and split into sections that allow water to pass through easily.
Soakaway
There’s a method of allowing surface water to percolate through the surface that’s referred to as a soakaway. This involves digging a hole in the ground and filling it up with coarse stone and other rubble. The beauty of a soakaway is that it has a very low impact on the environment. It is also incredibly efficient, making it an excellent addition to any drainage system. Usually, a pipe connects the soakaway with the area from which the excess water originates. This could be a driveway drain, French drain, or something else entirely.
Soakaway crates, also known as attenuation crates, can be used for attenuation or soakaway purposes in commercial and domestic projects. Installing a soakaway crate system can help to control the level of surface water, especially in areas prone to flooding or heavy rains. You can combine soakaway crates with a waterproof geotextile and pipework to create an attenuation system capable of redirecting the water collected to a local body of water or into storm drains at a more acceptable flow rate. This will reduce the risk of flooding as you can install a filter to control the flow of water.
You can also use this range of rainwater soakaway crates to create a soakaway system. Wrapping the soakaway crates in a permeable geotextile will allow water to slow leak out into the surrounding earth at a rate that the ground can accept. Thanks to this slow release the ground will cope with all of the surface and rain water without causing any floods or stagnant surface water.
Drainage Info
Interceptors – What Are They?
Main drainage systems can often be contaminated by common oils, which are oils that leak from machinery or vehicles. The purpose of an interceptor is to prevent this from happening by holding pollutants until they can be purged safely. As such, interceptors are an invaluable feature of any drainage system.
Interceptors should be inspected regularly – at least once a year, as they tend to be installed in areas that receive a high volume of traffic or machinery use. Areas of use include roads, car parks, workshops, etc.
Manhole – What Is It?
To keep sewers and drainage areas operating smoothly, essential maintenance must be carried out. Access is required, and this is where manholes come in. A manhole provides human access from street level, enabling maintenance work and inspections to be undertaken. A minimum internal space of 60 x 90cm is required, though a manhole can reach any depth, and usually extends about a metre down.
If during the development of a new property, an existing manhole is present, our drainage specialists can get it all hooked up for you. A new connection, either made of brick or pre-cast concrete (PCC), will be installed in a way that is entirely non-destructive.
Plastic Pipes vs Salt Glaze Pipes
Lightweight
When compared to pipes comprised of traditional materials, plastic pipes are far lighter, making them easier to transport. This keeps costs down as weight often plays a huge role in transportation fees. Installation is also greatly simplified by not having to hire additional personnel or machinery to carry, lift, and position heavy pipes.
Extended Lengths
Unlike traditional pipes, if you require extended lengths, plastic pipes are the choice to opt for. Fewer joints and connectors are required in a setup that consists of extended lengths. What this means is that you’ll have to worry less about leakages occurring. Water tightness is also increased wherever joints are used in plastic pipes. As such, they are an obvious choice for any drainage setup.
Durable
Plastic is an excellent material to use in drainage systems as, unlike metal, it doesn’t fall foul of the same problems, such as rusting, rotting, or corrosion. The robust nature of plastic ensures unfailing durability that will keep your pipes performing for many years to come.
Reduced Friction
Fluid friction and slime build-up are two factors all-too-common with traditional pipes. Plastic pipes do not suffer such issues as the internal surface is completely smooth, allowing for water to flow unhindered. Water flow and pressure efficiency are greatly increased, and so less energy is required overall. As a result, these pipes need far less maintenance, and the risk of flooding is reduced.
Chemical Resistance
As mentioned above, plastic is a highly robust material that’s resistant to, among other things, corrosion. Chemicals from effluent or contaminated soils can prove highly corrosive. The beauty of plastic pipes is that they can resist this, requiring far less maintenance. The cost of replacing corroded pipes is also largely offset.
Flame Resistance
As well as being safe and non-toxic, plastic pipes boast excellent fire-resistant qualities. Without an external source of ignition, plastic will not continue to burn. Plastic is also incredibly difficult to set alight in the first place, making this an appealing option in terms of fire safety.
Tolerant of Ground Movement
Unlike traditional pipes which can fracture and crack as a result of the ground shifting, plastic stays strong, easily withstanding such movements. Even factoring in backfill or traffic loading, there’s a noticeable leap in performance. Plastic pipes remain intact in situations where metal pipes would’ve otherwise failed.
Sustainable
Plastic pipes are king when it comes to sustainability. The energy required to manufacture many alternative materials is far greater than the energy used to manufacture plastic pipes. To top that off, plastic lasts considerably longer too, and once its usefulness has expired; the plastic can be recycled.
Water Mains Pipes
A water main is the pipe which distributes water from a service reservoir or treatment works to properties. These water mains are our responsibility.
A service pipe is the pipe which connects an individual property to our water main. Between the main and the boundary of the street in which the main is laid, a service pipe is our responsibility. From the boundary of the street to the property, the service pipe is the responsibility of the property owner. (Pictured right)
We make sure that these pipes are laid correctly so that the flow of water is not interrupted. Our team are more than happy to advise clients on how to maintain the services pipe that falls under their responsibility. It is vital that such pipes are placed in a position so that they function optimally and are not an obstruction to the paving around them.
