Outside tap/drain advice needed

TUS

We have installed an outside tap. Due to the walls/pipework layout, there was only a small area where we could mount the tap to the outside of the house and unfortunately this was not quite directly over the existing gully/drain which the various pipes/guttering drain into.

I have attempted some sort of before/after diagram in MS Paint below (excuse the skills ;-)). Basically, the existing drain had a brick surround. I have extended this to double the width which now means the tap is "above" the brick surround. However, I still need a way to divert water which may spill from the tap when being used, etc, into the drain. My initial idea was to get a suitably sized tile and mortar it at a sloping angle from the far right brick and sloping downwards to the edge of the drain. But I'm not sure how durable a solution this would be.

Any recommendations and I've never done this kind of stuff before (DIY beginner!). If my diagram is too poor to explain, I will try and get a photo when I can.

Thanks.

BaldPlumber

Why would you want to this, is your new tap leaking?

ormus

no real need for tiles. a strong mortar mix will be ok.
say a 4 to 1 mix. sand/cement.

haunch the sides to make a V or U section at the bottom.

TUS

BaldPlumber wrote: »

Why would you want to this, is your new tap leaking?

No, it doesn't leak. However, there can be spillage when the hose is connected/disconnected or a watering can used. Or if the kids are messing about with it filling up water guns, etc.

I understood it was standard practice to ensure a tap is over a drain? Am I wasting my time?

ormus

its not standard practice, but a good idea. if possible.

TUS

ormus wrote: »

no real need for tiles. a strong mortar mix will be ok.
say a 4 to 1 mix. sand/cement.

haunch the sides to make a V or U section at the bottom.

Thanks, that looks like a tidy solution. One question - how would I go about haunching the sides like that? :-s The only mortar mix I have is a "ready to go" mix which you add water to ... is this sufficient if I get the right consistency?

ormus

the consistency is down to the amount of water you add.

the strength/waterproofing is due to the amount of cement in the mix.
i dont know the mix ratio of your bag. i wouldnt use say an 8-1 mix for that job.

TUS

ormus wrote: »

the consistency is down to the amount of water you add.

the strength/waterproofing is due to the amount of cement in the mix.
i dont know the mix ratio of your bag. i wouldnt use say an 8-1 mix for that job.

Cheers, I'll check that and get some diff stuff if I need to. So to make the U or V shape - is it just a case of moulding with your hands ... or is there a trick for getting it the right shape?

ormus

hands and a small trowel.
to get a nice smooth u section at the bottom, use an old plastic pipe cut in half, as a pattern.
pressed into the cement.

ps
cut the pipe lengthways!

27col

The position of the tap has never bothered me. So what, if there is some water spilt on the ground. As long as it is not making a muddy patch it will soon evaporate, especially in the weather we have been having recently.

Dippypud

Don't forget to make sure you have a good insulation cover for the winter, easy to forget in this weather.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solus-Outside-Insulating-Tap-Cover/dp/B000NNZB26