underground pipe

[maxwell10]

I am going to move a rainwater gully and trap about 1 mtre to a new position.I have a section of grey soil pipe,would it be okay to use this rather than having to purchase a length of brown ug pipe.

 

[trowelhead]

In an ideal world use the brown,but if just for rainwater to a soakaway and no building inspector to see then use the grey,pipe is pipe is pipe!(within reason!)Brown pipe IS the requirement (for undergroung waste)but for rainwater it will not make the slightest difference,it will perform exactly the same job.There is basically no difference except for the price!

 

[maxwell10]

thanks trowellhead,I take it that I can use the brown connectors with the grey pipe as well.

 

[Thermo]

yes they all fit the same

 

[maxwell10]

thanks for that chaps.Thats saved me a few quid.

 

[masona]

The reason for difference colour pipe is for identification, blue pipe = water, yellow pipe = gas, underground drainage = brown/orange, soil vent pipe = grey and so on.

 

[shaggy]

.....and the jcb bucket still rips the lot out.

 

[masona]

At least you know what pipe you've damaged

 

[Thermo]

i also understood that below ground drainage was not protected against the breakdown from uv light, hence why you cant use it above ground

 

[P.J.]

I also thought there were differences between the pipes other than the colour for identifying what they carry, i.e. wall thickness.

 

[JerryD]

The difference is in the UV protection (ultra violet). The brown pipe is not UV protected so can only be used underground whereas the grey is UV protected so can be used above ground.

To use grey below ground is perfectly ok, it's just an expensive way of doing it if you're buying the pipe from new. However if you're using up offcuts then this is a good way to get rid of them without having to buy any new brown pipe.

That's why the grey is more expensive than the brown, it is UV protected plastic.

Wall thickness is identical (make for make) between grey and brown.