driveway water pipe crossing how much cover on plastic pipe

[coffeeman]

hello everyone. Hope summer has treated U all good.

have 2 18 inch pipe at 3 crossings. Last yr worst, plugging up at least 4 times. I am going to put fence up stream to collect debris, leaves branches etc. Few times rain hard enough that crossing pipes got inundated with dirt gravel mud. Cage or debris catcher in front of pipe would just plug. Hoping when big rain, up stream debris catcher would catch branches and leaves in addition to mud and gravel. Hopefully eliminating problem huge water. Im thinking of putting a common fence gate upstream sideways about 5 feet long positioned at point that can be easily dug out with a hoe. Huge debris collected up stream?? Last year was crazy water here.

Also, I want to add 3rd 24 inch plastic corrugated driveway drain pipe at 2 crossings. Easily get foot of cover on one. Other crossing not much cover and have to worry about 24 incher collapsing. Wondering if surrounding pipe in base of gravel as should then covering with few bags of concrete mix . Wet it down and let it dry? I know doesn't seem smart? Don't really want to put a whole culvert set up , as I believe last summer we had 3 "100 year" rains. My existing crossings were plenty good this year? Had to clean out present debris catcher few times and no plug up. I've waited all summer for a break in rain. I'ts here now. Just looking for ideas bring to confirm my thought process sounds reasonable..

Side light: I have access to about 10 truck loads of blacktop millings soon. Thinking they will help get driveway shipshape.

Have a good evening and a great treat of "Dog Days os Summer." Coffeeman..

 

[RNeumann]

If the pipes have tightly compacted base around them and you just have “normal” driveway traffic they should be fine. A few bags of concrete won’t change anything.

 

[sodamo]

If you go concrete, do it right so you don’t regret it. Just a few bags, likely not worth it.

 

[coffeeman]

If the pipes have tightly compacted base around them and you just have 渡ormal driveway traffic they should be fine. A few bags of concrete won稚 change anything.

Thanks for reply. A state road near me has a water drainage crossing. Bigger pipes with big rocks on sides leading to the entrance and exit of water. Finishing up, state poured slushy concrete into jagged rocks at each side. Just splashed it in there. The rocks were big enough that big water wouldn't wash them around. Looking at what State did, I kinda got the idea from them. Thus, my comment: bags of concrete mixed around "doesn't seem smart." I'm just speculating.

GOOD replies from both posters.

Cheers......Coffeeman

 

[RNeumann]

From what you said before I thought you were putting concrete on the the road around the pipe. From the second text it sounds like the idea is to slurry around the rip rap at the ends- which is a normal practice.

 

[sodamo]

Sounds like the concrete slurry was more to hold the rocks in place rather than support for the pipe.
I have 2 12” steel pipes side by side under my drive. As I recall it was about 20 yards concrete. Has held up quite well for 14 years and traffic has included 40ft containers and many concrete trucks. Hated the expense, but have never regretted the results.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve only seen a screen in front of a pipe accomplish one thing. That’s plug up and put water over the pipe which equals not good.

 

[coffeeman]

I’ve only seen a screen in front of a pipe accomplish one thing. That’s plug up and put water over the pipe which equals not good.

Exactly. I'v seen structures that cover entrance to pipe and debris is said to be pushed over and pipe keeps clear. They don't look like they would work. For years I used wrought iron fence about a foot or more, in front of entrance. Branches leaves were collected and if completely plugged water would go over or around and entered pipe branch free. Worked for years till last year. Leaves go through. Almost like having an overflow box. Last year 100 year rains moved branches leaves mud and gravel completely covering entrance. Completely devastating driveway. In order to protect from big rain I am going to put branch leaf collectors up stream. First collecting them and "most likely" if earth and gravel come down, they'll be caught up stream 10 or 20 feet and my new collection points.

About slurry concrete for entrance approach my mind was thinking about that to give support for additional pipe at 24 inch making 2 18s and one 24 inch. My stream goes almost dry every summer for month or two and more some years. As long as I keep pipes clear two 18s are working good this year. I cleaned the catchers out couple times. No huge rains this summer. Only thing that has changed year before, way up property about 2000 feet, a big water line and gas line along my property. Pipeline work may have changed terrane sending more runoff down my lane. Just thought about possibility recently. One way or the other it's my problem now.

As it is now I have easy foot of cover for one 24, another 24 about 8 inches and I'll add extra 18 inch at third one.

Thanks all for comments. I know without pics and more info it's hard to suggest things. Any ideas I welcome. We gonna do the job in couple weeks when hopefully be driest.

You all have a nice evening! Coffeeman

 

[coffeeman]

I致e only seen a screen in front of a pipe accomplish one thing. That痴 plug up and put water over the pipe which equals not good.

Hi all.
The earth has finally dried up and sometime we get no rain for 3 days or more.. I have concluded leaves and other debris is my main problem. My screen in front of pipes is wrought iron fence. I would send pics if I knew how to get them posted. When branches collect and clog the "screen" there is room to allow water to go around. Thus, water gets to drain crossing pipes. Last year my problem was huge rain causing branches rocks gravel and dirt to close crossing pipes to be clogged solid. Once on driveway water took gravel down drive lane and washed huge amounts in woods including rocks that were in base. It was an unusual rain year.

MAYBE MY SOLUTION? I plan to add a T connection pipe to existing water crossing pipes. I will face the T side up. In event of clog in main entrance to pipe an overflow will happen.
Once water raises to top of T, water has emergency outlet down the drain. Top of T can be below the driveway. I can put a domed grate on top of Ts, sort of like a trash guard.
I am going to add 2 extra pipes at crossings. But, I don't think I need them, if I can keep trash out.

THAT"S MY PLAN. However, all ideas and comments welcomed and considered. Can't have too many ideas and help. Im not starting little project until nest week or two.

Thank you all for for reading. You all have a great fall season leading up to Christmas and New Year. Can you believe it?

Cheers....Coffeeman

 

[LouNY]

They make or you can make a smooth pipe grate, it is several pieces of 3/4 inch pipe or smooth rod they are spaced 2-3 inches apart.
The length can vary but the longer the better, when placed in the ditch at a very shallow angle the water can push any floating debri up and past a culvert.
Doesn'r bo anything for mud or rocks.