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For some reason rainwater from the entire roof, roughly 12m x 7m, is being funneled into a single downpipe at one corner of the house. The previous owner blocked off another downpipe on the same side near the pool filter and redirected everything to this one point.
The current downpipe is round PVC, which seems to be shoved over an old rectangular metal pipe that’s still in the ground. I can poke at it with a screwdriver but can’t see inside properly. Water pools badly in heavy rain. What's the best option to rectify this?
I was considering cutting the PVC pipe and pulling out the metal pipe. Then hopefully finding something to join the cut PVC pipe back together and maybe sealing it into the ground. What should I be looking for when rejoining and sealing into the ground? Should I cut high or low?Is there a better option?
I assume a hacksaw will do the trick. We've had a bit of rain recently which exasperated the issue but even during regular rain water trickles out the side, runs off onto the title and against the house.
Hello @i_hate_sanding
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your downpipe.
It appears that the former owner did not connect the downpipe outlet to the stormwater drain properly. Linking the downpipe to the stormwater drain is possible and using a Holman 100 x 80 x 90mm PVC Stormwater Downpipe Adaptor might work. However, I don't recommend puling the pipe out of the ground in order to link it to the downpipe. If the pipe is loose, it's an indicator that the storm water pipe has been compromised and water is travelling through the soil instead of the pipe.
This situation can cause underground soil erosion to occur which can compromise the cement base you have on the surface. In order to repair the drain properly the stormwater drain must be inspected to see if it is still intact, this will require the services of a plumber that also provides a pipe inspection service. Linking it blindly will cause unpredictable damage to the underground structure of the area.
Once the inspection has been carried out and an extension is all you need to connect properly the plumber can do this step for you. While the plumber is at your location it would a be a good opportunity to ask them about the blocked sections and if it's possible to re-use them and have them drain properly into the stormwater drain. This will remove all the pressure from that single drain point on your gutter system.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Hello @i_hate_sanding
In order for us to recommend a pipe adaptor you'll need to provide us with the size/dimensions of the pipe in the floor. There are a number of rectangular downpipe adaptors, and they come in different sizes. If it is not rectangular and is a different shape, please gives us the dimensions for it as well.
Eric
@EricL I appreciate your help here. I can't measure the pipe in the floor as I can't get access. This is why I want to cut it to get a better picture, but I want to be able to rejoin it.
The round PVC down-pipe is 90mm. The rectangle section that goes over the metal pipe in the ground is 110mm * 86mm. I don't trust that this means that's the size of the pipe in the ground. It might not be clearly visible in the second picture but the actual drain in the ground looks round. Here's another photo. So it looks like I have a round down-pipe, that goes over an older metal down-pipe that is in a round drain. It also look like there was some cement/pebblecrete mounded up to conceal this that has since come loose in some areas.
This coupling might be what I'm looking for to rejoin the down-pipe.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/deks-90mm-pvc-stormwater-coupling_p4730188
Since it's a 90mm pipe, that would be the correct joiner @i_hate_sanding.
Please be advised that this is considered plumbing and drainage work, which requires a licensed plumber to alter the connection. Given this, I would suggest contacting one as they'd likely have the correct fittings to attach the downpipe securely, so that it does not leak.
Mitchell
