Driveway Drainage

[mjjm986]

Having some drainage installed before, I pour concrete for a garden path, surely this is not the right way to do it? There is no room left to pour concrete on top.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

It's difficult to see what the depth of concrete will be, from your photos.
What depth were you expecting for the concrete?

 

[mjjm986]

Concrete being laid is 4 inches, the pipe is sitting at the same level as the prepared ground, pipe runs to a soak away however the pipe is only barely covered as it crosses the lawn.

I understood it would be laid with a bottom outlet to get some depth for the pipework, however it has been laid with the pipe coming from the side outlet.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Was the person who did the work aware of your future plans?

If the lawn is staying as a lawn, there's no excuse for not burying the pipework at the prescribed depth and with the correct amount of cover.
As far as I am aware, pipework to a soakaway should meet the same specifications as any other drainage pipework.

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/de...g/BuildingStandards/FileDownLoad,24906,en.pdf

 

[mjjm986]

Yeah, he new I was putting in a concrete path and that the drainage channels would sit within the path. I had said I wanted a bottom outlet so it would allow for the pipe to be buried and left him a rest bend and single socket bend to attach to the bottom outlet of the drainage channels (wasn't sure which one was best)

It will need lifted and laid again, not sure if I should mention it, or just do it myself when he finishes up.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Absolutely, you need to discuss it. I assume you haven't paid yet.
If such corners have been cut such as the depth that the pipe is buried, did you see the soakaway being constructed?

 

[mjjm986]

Soakaway was covered over before I seen it, I have some concerns about the fall of the pipe too.

Yeah, you're right, I need to speak to him, it's going to be an awkward conversation.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Soakaway was covered over before I seen it, I have some concerns about the fall of the pipe too.

Yeah, you're right, I need to speak to him, it's going to be an awkward conversation.

Was it subject to Building Control?
Is any of the work subject to Building Control?
If it was, I suspect the Building Inspector would have wanted to have seen the open soakaway before it was covered.
The same applies to the pipework.

You could easily check that out, whether it was, whether it should have been subject to Building Regs, before the conversation.
It might give you some substantive ground for your comments.
If it wasn't under BR, but it should have been, you can easily argue that the contractor should have known that (but it is the owners responsibility to obtain it, and they might argue, that they assumed you had obtained it, but it would obviously not conform) and that it has now become subject to BR. I suspect the work would not conform to BR.

 

[frutbunn]

Was it subject to Building Control?
Is any of the work subject to Building Control?
If it was, I suspect the Building Inspector would have wanted to have seen the open soakaway before it was covered.
The same applies to the pipework.

You could easily check that out, whether it was, whether it should have been subject to Building Regs, before the conversation.
It might give you some substantive ground for your comments.
If it wasn't under BR, but it should have been, you can easily argue that the contractor should have known that (but it is the owners responsibility to obtain it, and they might argue, that they assumed you had obtained it, but it would obviously not conform) and that it has now become subject to BR. I suspect the work would not conform to BR.

Its not covered by B Regs.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Its not covered by B Regs.

How can you be so sure?

For a Rainwater Soakaway, you should consult your local planning agency. The rules that govern Rainwater soakaways depend on the water capture area in m2. For those serving an area of 25m2 or less than Part H of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 apply.

You will then need to consult with the relevant legislation and if necessary building control. Please see the regulation question below.

What are the regulations and legislation related to the installation of a Rainwater Soakaway?
We recommend you read the relevant parts of this document which sets out the relevant 2010 Building Regulations.
https://homeseptic.co.uk/soakaway/regulations/#:~:text=For all types of Soakaway,H Drainage and Waste Disposal.&text=For a septic soakaway, drain,it is a direct replacement.
​

and

Building Regulations require you to adequately dispose of stormwater from the building.
For further information contact the Building Control Division.
https://ebcsltd.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/09soakaways.pdf
​

and

Approved Document H offers guidance on drainage including foul and surface water and rainwater, and sanitary waste disposal, including sewage structures and their upkeep.
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/in...ments/71/part_h_-_drainage_and_waste_disposal​

 

[frutbunn]

How can you be so sure?

For a Rainwater Soakaway, you should consult your local planning agency. The rules that govern Rainwater soakaways depend on the water capture area in m2. For those serving an area of 25m2 or less than Part H of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 apply.

You will then need to consult with the relevant legislation and if necessary building control. Please see the regulation question below.

What are the regulations and legislation related to the installation of a Rainwater Soakaway?
We recommend you read the relevant parts of this document which sets out the relevant 2010 Building Regulations.
https://homeseptic.co.uk/soakaway/regulations/#:~:text=For all types of Soakaway,H Drainage and Waste Disposal.&text=For a septic soakaway, drain,it is a direct replacement.
​

and

Building Regulations require you to adequately dispose of stormwater from the building.
For further information contact the Building Control Division.
https://ebcsltd.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/09soakaways.pdf
​

and

Approved Document H offers guidance on drainage including foul and surface water and rainwater, and sanitary waste disposal, including sewage structures and their upkeep.
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/in...ments/71/part_h_-_drainage_and_waste_disposal​

That would be good guidance to follow, however the drainage to a driveway is not covered by B Regs, they are called BUILDING Regs for a reason.
Yes I'm sure I'm a building control surveyor.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

That would be good guidance to follow, however the drainage to a driveway is not covered by B Regs, they are called BUILDING Regs for a reason.
Yes I'm sure I'm a building control surveyor.

Good comments, frutbunn, the OP has an argument that the contractor ought to have followed good guidance. But clearly hasn't.

 

[frutbunn]

Good comments, frutbunn, the OP has an argument that the contractor ought to have followed good guidance. But clearly hasn't.

Even if work doesn't require a B Reg app, the contractor still has a duty of care, following B Reg guidance would be a way of evidencing your obligations of this.

 

[mjjm986]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I spoke to the builder and he is going to do the job again, this time using a bottom outlet to get some depth for the pipe. I'll provide an update when completed.