Which kind of drain pipe to use?

VinnieNC · Jul 12, 2006

I am installing a drain line for a sink in my workshop. The line comes out below the concrete slab at a light grade for gravity flow. I want to make a drain line about 25 feet long for the sink water to drain into. There is no tank involved as I don't expect to be draining anything but dirty, soapy water.

I plan on making the ditch about 18 inches wide and 18 inches deep and about 25 feet long with No. 5 gravel in the bottom and covering the drainage pipe.

Question:
Which type of drainage line should I be using? I have see the black plastic with roughly 1/2 inch holes and with slits. Should I put one of those stockings on it?

This drain will probably only see about 5 - 10 gallons per month, but I want to do it right the first time.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

-Vinnie

Cowboyjg · Jul 12, 2006

Vinnie..once you get beyond the slab it's kinda 6 of one, half dozen of another. There is also white thin walled perforated pvc drain pipe available. Put most of the gravel in the bottom and run the pipe a little higher in the trench so the water has someplace to go. landscape fabric should help keep the dirt out.

Of course you know, we all expect you to keep your word about not introducing anything hazardous in nature....Right

JimR · Jul 12, 2006

Is this legal to do in your state/county?

RobertN · Jul 12, 2006

Use perforated PVC. The corrugated black drain pipe is cheap, but till trap any sediments in the corrugations. Also, IF you ever have to clean the line, you can run a snake through the PVC. No way to get a snake past all the corrugation...

VinnieNC · Jul 12, 2006

I am not sure of the legality in my county. The permit for the building was for storage only, no water or electricity. When it was inspected, there was a pile of scraps on top of the drain pipe stub, ooopps! I have since wired it per code, just no permit or inspection. And now I want to put in a handwashing sink.

Thanks for the advice on the PVC and landscape fabric. I have some fabric left over from a landscaping project. I think I will add a cleanout port just in case.

-Vinnie

CDsdad · Jul 12, 2006

I'm glad I don't live where there are that many regulations. I understand where it's more crowded, you probably need that to help keep people straight. I'm glad I don't need a permit to run a drain line off a storage building sink.

Good idea on the clean out port. We had to run a pig in a neighbor's shop line from the discharge end and made a mess in the shop. Clean out port would've gotten it a lot easier. I also agree with perforated PVC and gravel.

EddieWalker · Jul 12, 2006

I would use the perforated PVC. Fill the trench with gravel or other material. I've seen styrofaom popcorn, foundry slag, busted up bricks and straw used for this.

To cover the material in the trench, tar paper works well, and so does plastic sheeting. I've even seen house wrap used. The cover material is to keep surface water and fine particles out of your leach field.

Eddie

HomeBrew2 · Jul 12, 2006

Believe it or not, they use newspaper on (county inspected) septic leach lines around here!

450EXC · Jul 12, 2006

If you are going to drive your tractor over it use heavier pipe since its shallow. Schedual 35 or i've even drilled holes in sch 40 myself. You could dig a little bigger hole at the end of the ditch and fill with rocks for a mini dry well.

Larry