How to stop leaves entering drains?

[Koatrexy]

These exposed drains and pipes in my carport have driven me quietly mad for years. They are next door's pipes, just happen to be exposed in my carport.  Under shelter all the time, the drains don't get any moisture from my end, just leaves which collect around these raised, uneven surfaces constantly.

I hear the rush of water whenever my neighbours have showers, or run the water in their sinks.

So, a two-part question then; -

1).   Is there any reason why I can't cover this with an enclosed lid rather than a grate, since there is no chance of water needing somewhere to drain away in this spot?

2)  Can I raise the surface around these bumpy things and make it level?  Can I put cement, or some sort of levelling product?

It's very fiddly to have to sweep the leaves individually from every pipe and between them as well.

I'm hoping someone will see this and say, "Yep - easy, just use product X, perfect solution for your problem."

Thank you in advance.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Koatrexy,

I'd love to be able to say yes, use this product, it will be fine, but without knowing the purpose of these pipes, we can't do that.

Your best course of action would be to contact a plumber to have them inspect the pipes and drains to determine their intended purpose.

As there is a good chance the drains are a fail-safe in the event of a blockage and the pipes through the wall seem to have inspection points, it is unlikely you could cover them up entirely, but your plumber may be happy for you to build up around them with something like this Ardit Rapidset Repair Mortar as long as it doesn't interfere with their intended function. Ultimately, I can't say whether this would be fine or not, as I don't know what their purpose is.

If leaves building up around them is your main concern, then maybe using a leaf blower can take away some of your frustrations.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Koatrexy]

Hi there, thanks for your reply. Yes, been leaf blowing the area for 20 years, maybe no other possibility.

  I've been here 22 years, no access required from neighbour so assumed I could cover them but am also unsure about cementing in - ie with something like the rapid-set mortar you mentioned - in case it had a constricting effect and would crush them once set. 

I have asked a couple of plumbers over the years when here for other jobs but they just agreed that it was probably a drain built around the end of the down pipe from water usage next door but couldn't shed any light on what the pipe bits might be specifically. 

What about something like a valve box?     Easy access if need be, top can come off.

Or building something similar out of wood, or even something like a conduit ( I think they're made of PVC) to cover them - also with a removable top in case access needed. If I made the "box" the whole length of the carport, then it would just make the carport a few cm narrower.  

Unsure if these are Completely ridiculous ideas or possible practical solutionsr?   

[JacobZ]

Hi @Koatrexy,

As long as you retained the ability to access them if the need ever came up, I can't see covering them with a timber structure being the worst thing in the world, as long as it didn't inhibit the ability for water to escape from it if it did overflow for some reason.

A basic frame made of 70 x 35mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine, then clad with some 90 x 22mm H3 Treated Pine Decking might be a good option.

Considering how much time you've spent in the home without issues, I can't really see it being a problem, but if you ever needed to get access to the pipes, you could just remove the screws and take off some of the boards to gain access.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Noyade]

"I hear the rush of water whenever my neighbours have showers"

Regards the noise @Koatrexy . Recent plumbing work left me with sink water discharging to a 'rediscovered' gully riser.

Noisy when emptying, especially when outside.

I found a piece of steel plate cut to fit - cut the discharge noise down by 70%

[Koatrexy]

It is noisy, isn't it?  This looks great. Found? Right, so you cut the lid out of your piece of steel, is that right? What a good idea. That will take care of the noise. Hadn't thought of something as dense as steel. 
'Thanks!

[Koatrexy]

Yes, that should work I reckon. I was wondering about wood near a house and termites but treated pine sorts that out. 
Excellent, many thanks.
Righto, I can see a trip to Bunnings is now required. What a shame. 
[Races out the door heading for nearest large green building ...)