JOHN SPOONER
Landscape and Architectural Design

IN MY GARDEN
Currently in flower in my garden.
(Mahonia and Narcissus)

 

web statistics

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS
GARDEN DESIGN PROJECTS
CONTACT
BLOG

HOME

ARCHIVE




What shall I do with my time now that I am retired ?
(I don't think that will be a problem)



DRAINAGE PROBLEM

18 JANUARY 2010

 

We have been having problems with our drainage system over the past few months.  A week or so ago I spent almost a whole day trying to rod our drains to clear a blockage (not a job for the squeamish!!!).
The problem is that our original drainage pipes are in 'pitch fibre'.  This was the 'Bee's Knees' in the 60s. when they were first brought into use - but it was soon discovered that the pipes were liable to distortion (squashing almost flat) after a few years underground.
I'm not sure if this is what has happened to our pipes but whatever the cause, they just weren't doing their job.
To simply dig up the and replace would be a massive job because the pipes run under our driveway.  The driveway is at first floor level (because our house is 'upside down' - bedrooms downstairs - living room, kitchen etc. upstairs) and has been filled up so that the drains are about 10 feet (3.0 metres) below the driveway.
So - I decided to divert the whole system and go around the house in the opposite direction
but finishing at the same final inspection chamber in the rear corner of our plot.
This involved digging up the whole of our garden areas and laying in new drainage pipes.
Total carnage as can be seen from the photographs.   The sytem is however now working perfectly (I hope my drain rodding days are now over)


COMMENTS
To send me comments on this please send email
 click here