connecting to the main drain

[Specimen Hunter]

Hi

Must first time here.
Does anybody know how to go about connecting a new toilet to the main drain?

 

[chrishutt]

You need to be more specific about what you're trying to do. Describe the set up, please.

 

[TexMex]

It's the same as any other plumbing job, just that the joints are bigger and more expensive than your run of the mill 40mm waste fittings. You basically just cut into the soil pipe, and insert the appropriate fitting to give you another branch, this is then connected up to the new toilet pan.

 

[Specimen Hunter]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Do I need to get permission or notify the council that I intend to do that?

Also, do you have any idea how deep underground the main drain is liekly to be?

You helps much appreciated.

 

[TexMex]

Ah, You'll note in my answer I mentioned the Soil Stack. This is the upright part of the drain above ground level. If you are connecting below ground level, things are a bit diferent.

You will have to put a new soil stack in place. This is basically just a length of 110mm pipe running up the side of your house. The top of this will have to continue right up to (and through) the roofline, where you will put a terminal on it. You MAY be able to reduce this length if you terminate it with an Air Admittance Valve. (your bco will advise). Your new toilet waste will then be connected into this new soil stack.

Below ground, where your new stack joins the drain, a new access chamber (man hole) will have to be introduced. Nowadays, this also is not too difficult as you can get preformed plastic chambers to do the job.

All in all it's not such a straight forward job after all. The depth of the drain pipes in the ground could be anywhere betwee 2 - 8 ft. If you look into an existing manhole on the same system, you will be able to tell. The whole job would be far easier if you can plumb into the existing soil stack, above ground level.

Nowadays,this type of work does require you to involve your local BCO.

 

[ChrisR]

Assuming you have an old cement-built manhole, I think you can add another line into it as long as there's room. I've seen it done, which doesn't mean it's ok. Maybe it depends on your manor? Tex??

 

[TexMex]

You can indeed add into an existing manhole. It's not exactly a DIY job. You have to break through the wall of the existing manhole, and put a slipper in. You then have to make good the benching etc.. This also presupposes that there is the space in the existing chamber to accomodate the new junction.

With the innovation of the new preformed inspection chambers, it's a lot easier, nowadays to simply add a new one. Even then it's not exactly one of your basic DIY jobs. You need to be able to demonstrate that your workmanship is up to the task, or you may have to face the expense of the water authority insisting on putting the whole mess right themselves at quite hefty charges.