Drainage guide: new builds
Drainage management is a top priority for every property – but different property types often have distinct drainage requirements, and residents are likely to encounter varying issues depending on how the property is designed.
In this drainage guide from Lanes Group, you will learn more about the unique conditions you can expect to find in a new build property, and the steps that should be taken to avoid some of the most common problems you may encounter...
New builds – the most common drainage problems
As demand for additional homes remains high, new build properties continue to spring up across the UK at a rapid pace. Moving into a brand new residence holds a lot of appeal for tenants and buyers, but when it comes to drainage, new builds can pose a number of specific challenges that need to be taken into account and handled carefully.
Untested systems
Many of the issues that arise with new build properties are a consequence of the fact they have been built from scratch, with no previous residents to stress-test their drainage systems or past history to establish how the new pipes and plumbing will cope with the realities of day-to-day use.
Drainage is one of the first things to be completed in a build, with much of the subsequent construction sitting on top of it – as such, a mistake with the drainage system may only become apparent once the building is complete and residents have moved in, making these problems difficult to correct in advance.
Mistakes integrating the piping into the pre-existing infrastructure
One of the biggest challenges involved in creating a working drainage system for a new build property is ensuring the freshly-laid pipes connect properly to the pre-existing brownfield infrastructure. When mistakes are made in this process, it can cause serious damage.
Common mistakes made during the drainage installation process include the selection of incorrect pipe sizes, wrong pipe gradients, erroneous cross-connections and poor backfilling. These problems can increase the risk of displaced pipes causing blockages, poor drainage, flooding or foul water being accidentally discharged into open watercourses, which is why it is so important to get this installation process right.
Additionally, the process of building over an existing drain or sewer can cause unintended damage to the pipes, again resulting in access issues, leaks, blockages, odour nuisances, health problems and environmental damage. If there is an existing drain located below or close to a planned development, it may be necessary to take steps to protect the pipes, or remove the building work completely.
Garden flooding risks
Garden drainage problems are quite common for developments that involve the construction of multiple houses, as many new housing schemes do not install enough garden drainage channels as they strive to keep costs down.
As such, many new build residents find that they face an increased risk of flooding and waterlogging as a result of drainage overspills while they wait for their gardens to settle and mature.
New builds – drainage best practice
Many of these problems come up frequently when building a new property, and can cause considerable inconvenience and expense for those responsible for fixing them. This is why it’s essential to bear a number of best practice tips in mind when creating and maintaining a drainage system for a new build:
Plan for the long term
The design of the drainage system should be future-proofed wherever possible – this means building in the correct hydraulic capacity to meet foreseeable future demands, especially if further building work is already on the cards, and creating plenty of access points to facilitate maintenance
Consult SuDS legislation beforehand
In recent years, efforts are being made to broaden the use of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), a new model of drainage design that manages rainfall close to the source and mimics natural processes, which helps to minimise pollution and any impact on local water bodies. SuDS are recommended for most new-build premises in many parts of the UK and were recently made compulsory in Wales, so it is essential that those in charge of the building work consult the relevant legislation before commencing.
Take care when connecting to existing pipes
When connecting to a pre-existing drain or sewer, try to make sure this is situated at least 0.8m lower than the ground floor level to avoid blockages and water flow issues
Consider the flow of water away from the property
The size of the roof needs to be considered in terms of the amount of surface water it will generate, while non-porous patios and driveways should ideally flow towards permeable ground rather than towards highways and public roads
Make high-quality site plans of the drainage system
Create and keep a site plan of the newly built drainage system to make it easier, quicker and cheaper to address future maintenance issues
Arrange a CCTV survey
When completing a new build project or moving into a new property, arrange a CCTV survey of the drainage system to identify any problems or mistakes that may have occurred during the construction process, allowing them to be corrected before any significant damage can be done.
Be proactive about drain care from day one
Residents moving into a new build property have a rare opportunity to make use of a drainage system that’s completely new, without any wearing or blockages caused by the bad habits of previous tenants. As such, it is important to be proactive about drain care and adopt practices that will keep the new pipes in perfect working condition.
This means getting up to speed on the items that should never be flushed down the drains – especially the so-called ‘Big Offenders’, like fat, oil, grease, wet wipes, food waste, bandages and sanitary products – and ensuring that everyone living in the property is committed to looking after the new pipes from day one.
If you’d like to know more about how to make sure the drainage system on your new build property is up to standard, download the free best practice guide on drainage installations put together by the experts at Lanes Group. Alternatively, you can read more about arranging a homebuyers’ drain survey with us, or learn about what you can and can’t put down the drain if you want to your pipes to remain as good as new.
For a free quotation, call us on 0800 526 488 or use our online enquiry form.
