Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Feb 01, 2011 4:08 pm Hi just wanted an opinion on the following so I know what I should do.
I was digging a trench to put an agi drain silt pit etc, I piped it close to the storm water pipe which I found by carefully digging down from the downpipe. It was a little wet but I thought nothing of it, I emptied the hole of water and it keeps filling up. Shouldn't the storm water pipe actually be empty, or is water suppose to sit in the part that is pretty much horizontal with the ground? Also should it leak? edit: Image Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 2Feb 01, 2011 4:13 pm There shouldn't be any water in the stormwater pipe unless its raining. It shouldn't leak although many old ones do. Its not much of a problem usually The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 3Feb 01, 2011 4:31 pm Stormwater is supposed to discharge via stormwater pipe. PVC pipe is superior to clay pipe. Clay pipe is prone to cracking and tree roots and leaks. PVC should not leak. Check all the joins blue glued. Check if glued and still joined together. Check pipe has fall to point of discharge. It could be blocked with tree roots/silt/mud or any other debris and may need to be flushed with a hose. It could be any number of reasons but these are most probable causes. Hope this helps. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 4Feb 01, 2011 5:18 pm Thanks for the replies guys, probably should have mentioned it's a brand new house, it has the corrugated pipe after a few joins from the downpipe going into a straight PVC pipe horizontal with the ground, I can see some of the blue glue stuff they use, just can't tell if it is leaking from the join, will have to clean the mud a bit more. I hasn't rained for over approx 2 weeks. I guess if it is coming out the the join I could easily seal that up, but I guess the fall of the pipe must be wrong if water is sitting in there. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 5Feb 01, 2011 5:30 pm Reading your comments again I'm not sure from what you say if the pipe is leaking or not. It could be ground water from previous rain thats causing your problem. Or even from a water pipe leak Even if the pipe was blocked and leaking there should only be a couple of buckets full of water before it was empty not heaps. Sorry its hard to be clear but it is one of those things you really need to see to get the full picture. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 6Feb 01, 2011 7:40 pm Hi if your storm water is connected to your tank then the stormwater pipe could be full of water. stormwater that is connected to a tank and is buried in the ground relies or water that comes of your roof into the gutter and in the the pipe to push the stormwater out of the other end of the pipe into the tank. I hope that makes sense Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 7Feb 01, 2011 8:08 pm Electmatt Hi if your storm water is connected to your tank then the stormwater pipe could be full of water. stormwater that is connected to a tank and is buried in the ground relies or water that comes of your roof into the gutter and in the the pipe to push the stormwater out of the other end of the pipe into the tank. I hope that makes sense Hi, that makes perfect sense but it is not connected to a tank, I am starting to wonder if it is ground water, I cleared around a couple of inches from underneath the pipe and even when there is a small pool underneath it i can't see any drips. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 8Feb 01, 2011 8:15 pm As others have said above, the storm water pipe should be empty, as they should be installed with a slight fall. We did something similar, put in ag pipes and a pit, and dug up and existing bend at the bottom of a down pipe... whattaya know... none of the bends were glued! Considering our builder knew hubby was a plumber, that was just disappointing, and so incredibly lazy on their behalf... Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 9Feb 01, 2011 8:19 pm Have you tried to dig a small hole about 30-50 cm deep further away from this spot, say 1m or more? If you do that, do you see water already sitting in the hole, or does it slowly fill the bottom of the new hole, and at what depth? That test should help eliminate the pipe - but I guess it depends on how much water has soaked into the soil so far. My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 10Feb 01, 2011 8:26 pm Wonder why the plumber used a flexible pipe instead of solid? I know some do it, but surely using a solid PVC pipe would eliminate possible leaks. Not sure it's sealed properly. The first pic you posted it looks like it isnt? Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 11Feb 01, 2011 9:11 pm Feedback and thoughts are much appreciated.
Lex Have you tried to dig a small hole about 30-50 cm deep further away from this spot, say 1m or more? If you do that, do you see water already sitting in the hole, or does it slowly fill the bottom of the new hole, and at what depth? I dug the pit (silt trap) approx 1 metre away slightly uphill and the hole was around 60cm deep, there was no water there only around the pipe in question. It is all making sense now I will sit a small level on the rigid PVC at the bottom of the hole, my bet is the fall is the wrong damn way. I guess the only realistic option is to seal the pipes properly where they join (thanks Erin) and be content with water sitting in there.... Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 12Feb 01, 2011 9:20 pm The other thing is, there may be a leak somewhere else around the house, or it could be left over rain water that has followed the trench that the storm water has been dug in...? Try sealing the join properly first. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 14Feb 07, 2011 5:10 am All fixed now, a y piece has been installed and connected to a silt trap, the water was coming from the stormwater pipe as water was sitting inside it, the flexible pipe was leaking at the join. I can't believe some ******* trades person would do it like that. Most houses in this area seem to use flexible pipe, not sure why though? Wonder if it has to do with the clay soil. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 15Feb 24, 2020 10:20 pm Hi, jetson, can I ask who is your builder ? I just experiencing the same issues as you. Doesn't matter how many time u empty it, then the Water keep fill up. SS said that's from ground water. But clearly their some leaking from somewhere. Re: Leaking storwater pipe? 16Feb 25, 2020 6:52 pm Doesn't sound like anything to worry about The flexible pipe is most likely slotted agi drain with is usually black and corrugated. Excessive moisture in soils moves via the point of least resistance, in this case, being a trench with agricultural drains. Its not uncommon for water to express from the soil for days depending on how wet it has been and the activity around the area. Also, is the drains have screenings or scoria under them that another weak point for moisture to move through, although the standard doesn't required screening/bedding under stormwater, so It may be sewer, which would be a massive problem if you have connected into that. Depending on the soil type you have will define how long it can take for the excess ground water to release into the agi drains. If its high clay content, it could be a couple of weeks. Contrary to others thoughts, I seriously doubt there is a leak, but ts impossible to tell without seeing for oneself DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi, I've got a brand new (2nd hand) Bosch Hydropower 16H tankless hot water heater. Since it was installed I have noticed it leaks a lot. I took the cover off and it looks… 0 24147 yep sounds good make the footing bigger to to allow for the pipe in the middle 3 7326 Plumbers 'can be' plumbers, made all the worse by self certification which the building surveyor invariably accepts as proof of compliance! The good thing is that you know know. 3 4872 |