A drainage pipe is considered to be any kind of pipe used to facilitate the transfer of water from one place to another – usually to dispose of waste water from a property, offices or commercial property.
Efficient drainage is important to help prevent water build up, flooding, structural damage and soil erosion among other things – so ensuring your drainage is up to scratch is vital to avoid bigger problems down the line.
Smooth Wall Pipe
A smooth wall pipe has a smooth interior and exterior and is ideal for single direction water transfer. It is rigid, making it difficult to install, but the smooth texture allows water to run through easily. This will usually be used for sewer main pipes and for most residential properties will be about six inches in diameter.
Single Wall Corrugated Pipe
This type of pipe is usually low cost and is a flexible material making it easier to install, but it will ideally need to be installed at a higher angle as the corrugated inside and lack of smooth interior will make this pipe more susceptible to blockage. This type of pipe is one of the weakest types and will usually be used for retaining wall drainage or to run a pipe to the final drain point, such as a waste water pipe for a washing machine.
Dual Wall Corrugated Pipe
This is one of the more expensive types of drainage pipe and is less flexible, making it more difficult to install. It has a corrugated exterior wall and smooth interior wall. It is usually made from a strong plastic such as polyethylene and is equivalent in strength to a concrete pipe while much lighter and easier to cut. This type of drainage is ideal for more heavy duty areas such as a commercial driveway subject to many heavy goods vehicles overhead.
Metal or Plastic?
Before the 1960s, metal was most commonly used for drainage pipes, but as we know metal is susceptible to rust so over time this can cause metal drainage pipes to weaken and crack. Nowadays it is rarely used unless it is necessary to stay in keeping with the property. Plastic such as UPVC is much more common in drainage now as it does not rust and can stand up to a variety of weather conditions to help prevent issues occurring down the line. UPVC is also recyclable so any piping that does need to be replaced down the line will not go to waste!
UPVC Pipes
UPVC has many benefits, it is cheaper, lightweight and has a great flow rate – not to mention they are much easier to cut and join than metal, clay or concrete pipes. They can also stand the test of time, with a lifespan of over fifty years overground with good drain maintenance.
If you are looking for a reliable company to provide London drainage services, then be sure to give London Drainage Facilities a call to discuss your needs for your residential, commercial or public sector building.