Whether you’re a drainage specialist, or just need to know the ins and outs for some of your projects, it takes a bit of planning and fact-finding to deliver a smooth, problem-free installation that meets building regs. It’s important to keep up with innovative products coming onto the market to make sure you’ve got the right solution for your next job.
We’ve been speaking to Martin Lambley, Product Manager at plumbing and drainage manufacturer Wavin, for his advice on getting surface and foul water drainage just right:
Drainage might not sound like the most exciting part of your project but getting it right first time is vital. It means you won’t need to go back to fix costly mistakes and making sure things run like clockwork will do wonders for your reputation in the long run. Let’s face it, the last thing anyone wants is a customer on the phone who’s unhappy with the drainage in their new extension. Let’s start by looking at solutions for foul water.
Making sure seals are properly fitted is the main thing to focus on here. If they’re not, once the system is up and running, they will allow all the nastiness out and cause real problems for your customers. Regular loose-fit seals do a great job when fit correctly but remember to pay special attention to make sure they are.
They can easily become dislodged when you’re working on them, or if there are lots of people on site doing different jobs at the same time, any inadvertent knocks and bumps can cause them to fail. Our OsmaDrain range avoids this issue thanks to its combined cap and seal. Our seals are co-moulded with the cap which is fixed on the fitting, so they won’t move guaranteeing a perfect finish every time.
Chamber access is another area of foul waste drainage systems that can be tricky. While all the requirements are laid out in Part H of the Building Regs, it is not always fully clear what the right chamber is for a particular location.
Before you head to your local Jewson, have a look at Wavin’s Inspection Chamber Selector which will help you choose the right configuration for your job. Simply add in your depth, whether it is adopted or unadopted and what size pipe is going in.
It will produce a list in price order of the parts you need so you can go in armed with exactly what the job requires. It’s even optimised for mobile, so it’s easy to use on-site.
Making sure the products you use are top quality is obviously key but there are also sustainability considerations to factor in. Opting for products with a higher proportion of recycled materials is better for our climate, and it’s also a great benefit to talk to your customers about, helping you stand out from the crowd.
The good news is OsmaDrain not only performs well, but it is also manufactured with a recycled PVC core. This is wrapped in a layer of virgin PVC and meets the same standards as non-recycled drainage pipes while boosting the environmental credentials of the project.
Guttering
Easily the most visible aspect of drainage for your customers, guttering and downpipes are important when it comes to ensuring water is deposited in the right place.
With the frequency of heavy rainfall increasing in the UK, Osma guttering and downpipes have moved with the times – with the potential to carry high water flow they effectively transport collected water into your surface drainage system.
The result – heavier bursts of rainfall are less likely to inundate a property.
Surface water
You might be working on a project that also needs a surface water soakaway. Gone are the days of just digging a hole and filling it with rubble to slow the absorption of excess rainwater. There are some cleverly engineered solutions like our AquaCell range which deals with flood risk much more effectively.
AquaCell Eco works much better than a traditional soakaway by managing the water flow in a consistent way. It means there’s more control over how quickly surface water escapes to the surrounding land helping to prevent flooding. Local authorities are keen for more builders to use systems like this, but they are still not widely known so it’s worth getting to know your options and making the smart choice on your next project.
Whatever the drainage requirements of your next job, the important thing to remember is that there is plenty of advice available. All major manufacturers should have dedicated helpdesks you can call for advice on the best way to organise your drainage, the latest on building regs, and more.
Visit Jewson.co.uk’s drainage page to see our full range of drainage solutions or discover more about Wavin’s AquaCell and Osma ranges.
