Soil drain question

waveyjane

Our soil drain pipe tends to block up quite easily. We don't put wet wipes down it, and are careful with things like grease and coffee grounds, etc. but still need to get a plunger in there every 8-9 months or can go bad. Just had to do it again in fact.

I think the drain has some form of "Buchan trap" interceptor arrangement - but can anyone confirm? There is a closed pipe running parallel to, and above it, which looks like it has a rodding hole. Is that part of it? Damn those Victorians!



If it is that kind of interceptor then we're thinking of maybe getting it dug out and converted to a straight run.

Section62

waveyjane said:

Our soil drain pipe tends to block up quite easily. We don't put wet wipes down it, and are careful with things like grease and coffee grounds, etc. but still need to get a plunger in there every 8-9 months or can go bad. Just had to do it again in fact.

I think the drain has some form of "Buchan trap" interceptor arrangement - but can anyone confirm? There is a closed pipe running parallel to, and above it, which looks like it has a rodding hole. Is that part of it? Damn those Victorians!


If it is that kind of interceptor then we're thinking of maybe getting it dug out and converted to a straight run.

It looks like an interceptor manhole to me.  They are a common cause of blockages, and it is common for parts of the original interceptor to be broken out as an easy way to cure the problem, so what you can see today isn't necessarily what was originally installed.

My guess about the other pipe is it is probably the surface water drain - if the property has surface water drainage to the public system.  The two separate lateral pipes are often laid parallel to each other, with the surface water drain either close to the outside of the foul interceptor, or sometimes within the benching (more or less what you've got).

Do these pipes only serve your property?  If not, and at least one other property is connected to the same pipe then this would be a public sewer and the local sewerage undertakers responsibility. If it only serves yours then the chamber is also yours and you can replace it if you want, but don't forget to get building regs approval/signoff for the work.

waveyjane

Ah thanks, good know about the surface water pipe. And yes, just for our property as far as I know. Might get some quotes to replace in that case!

Eldi_Dos

You say pipes are Victorian era, could it be that there has been a build up of residue in the pipes narrowing their diameter, this could be part of the cause of you needing to use plunger now and again.When you use plunger you will get flow going again but pipes may still have residue in them.
Could get a drain company to jet clear your pipes see if that solves problem before getting work done to alter setup.

plumb1_2

I echo Section 62 reply. It would be an expensive job to alter them as I would expect the drain to go a lot deeper after the trap. Usually very easy to clear any blockage with a 4” plunger and a couple of rods