Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and neighbour
had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split equally
between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both roofs onto
neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a bit naughty I
guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones saying it overflowed
and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our side,
and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet above
first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will certainly keep her
happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by the
gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.
??
Simon.

On Jun 28, 4:58*pm, sm_jamieson wrote:
For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by the
gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.

When the soil pipe gets blocked... and it rains...
.... I do not think your toilet bowel will handle the volume...

On 28 June, 17:18, "js.b1" wrote:
On Jun 28, 4:58*pm, sm_jamieson wrote:

For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by the
gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.

When the soil pipe gets blocked... and it rains...
... I do not think your toilet bowel will handle the volume...

Good point. But equally all that water may stop it getting blocked !
And if the blockage is downstream enough, this will still be a
problem.
Simon.

On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:18:58 UTC, "js.b1" wrote:

On Jun 28, 4:58Â*pm, sm_jamieson wrote:
For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by the
gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.

When the soil pipe gets blocked... and it rains...
... I do not think your toilet bowel will handle the volume...

I don't think anybody's bowels would handle the problem...
--
The information contained in this post is copyright the
poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by
http://www.diybanter.com

"Bob Eager" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:18:58 UTC, "js.b1" wrote:

On Jun 28, 4:58 pm, sm_jamieson wrote:
For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by the
gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.

When the soil pipe gets blocked... and it rains...
... I do not think your toilet bowel will handle the volume...

I don't think anybody's bowels would handle the problem...

depends if you were sat on the throne when the pipe blocked during a
downpour i guess.

When the soil pipe gets blocked... and it rains...
.... I do not think your toilet bowel will handle the volume...

Classic!
--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

sm_jamieson wrote:
Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and neighbour
had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split equally
between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both roofs onto
neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a bit naughty I
guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones saying it overflowed
and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our side,
and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet above
first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will certainly keep her
happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by the
gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.
??
Simon.

Because the top (IE the open end of the soil pipe) has to be a minimum of
one metre higher than the highest opening window, and in your scenario, it
would be gutter height.
This is why soil pipes have the swan neck to take them past the eaves and
gutter and upwards for a stretch before venting.

--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008

On 28 June, 20:40, "Phil L" wrote:
sm_jamieson wrote:
Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and neighbour
had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split equally
between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both roofs onto
neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a bit naughty I
guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones saying it overflowed
and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our side,
and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet above
first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will certainly keep her
happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by the
gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.
??
Simon.

Because the top (IE the open end of the soil pipe) has to be a minimum of
one metre higher than the highest opening window, and in your scenario, it
would be gutter height.
This is why soil pipes have the swan neck to take them past the eaves and
gutter and upwards for a stretch before venting.


Well why not have a side inlet boss into the soil pipe ?
Its not so different from an entire large bathtub emptying into the
soil pipe through an
identical inlet at full force a few metres below.
Simon.

Simon wrote:
On 28 June, 20:40, "Phil L" wrote:
sm_jamieson wrote:
Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and
neighbour had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split
equally between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both
roofs onto neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a
bit naughty I guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones
saying it overflowed and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our side,
and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet above
first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will certainly keep
her happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by
the gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.
??
Simon.

Because the top (IE the open end of the soil pipe) has to be a
minimum of one metre higher than the highest opening window, and in
your scenario, it would be gutter height.
This is why soil pipes have the swan neck to take them past the
eaves and gutter and upwards for a stretch before venting.


Well why not have a side inlet boss into the soil pipe ?
Its not so different from an entire large bathtub emptying into the
soil pipe through an
identical inlet at full force a few metres below.
Simon.

Except that a bath or basin has a trap to prevent sewer smells getting into
the room - doing it the way you describe would still vent sewer gas at the
gutter height, IE about a foot, or even less, above an opening light.

--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008

On Jun 28, 9:01*pm, "Phil L" wrote:
Simon wrote:
On 28 June, 20:40, "Phil L" wrote:
sm_jamieson wrote:
Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and
neighbour had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split
equally between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both
roofs onto neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a
bit naughty I guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones
saying it overflowed and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our side,
and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet above
first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will certainly keep
her happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by
the gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.
??
Simon.

Because the top (IE the open end of the soil pipe) has to be a
minimum of one metre higher than the highest opening window, and in
your scenario, it would be gutter height.
This is why soil pipes have the swan neck to take them past the
eaves and gutter and upwards for a stretch before venting.

Well why not have a side inlet boss into the soil pipe ?
Its not so different from an entire large bathtub emptying into the
soil pipe through an
identical inlet at full force a few metres below.
Simon.

Except that a bath or basin has a trap to prevent sewer smells getting into
the room - doing it the way you describe would still vent sewer gas at the
gutter height, IE about a foot, or even less, above an opening light.

--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Rainwater into the sewage system isn't great from the point of view of
the water company. Older properties would discharge rainwater to the
sewers, but post 1950's built houses should drain gutters to a
soakaway. If you had any sort of extension build, then BC would insist
on soakaways.

Why don't you divert the rain into a large tank and use it for
flushing loo/watering.
As a plus point if you are on water meter then you won't pay to flush/
dispose of your Richard III's.

Dave.

Dave Starling wrote:

Rainwater into the sewage system isn't great from the point of view of
the water company. Older properties would discharge rainwater to the
sewers, but post 1950's built houses should drain gutters to a
soakaway. If you had any sort of extension build, then BC would insist
on soakaways.

Soakaways aren't permitted within 5m of a building, and they have never been
insisted upon by anyone at any time, least of all BC.
You are thinking of a dual system, and the rainwater doesn't go to a
soakaway, it goes to a stream, river, ditch or similar, to save unnecesary
treatment of what is basically fresh water



Why don't you divert the rain into a large tank and use it for
flushing loo/watering.
As a plus point if you are on water meter then you won't pay to flush/
dispose of your Richard III's.

He might save a bit of metered water, but he'll still have to pay up for the
turd treatment


--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008

On 28 June, 21:42, Dave Starling wrote:
On Jun 28, 9:01*pm, "Phil L" wrote:



Simon wrote:
On 28 June, 20:40, "Phil L" wrote:
sm_jamieson wrote:
Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and
neighbour had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split
equally between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both
roofs onto neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a
bit naughty I guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones
saying it overflowed and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our side,
and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet above
first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will certainly keep
her happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by
the gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.
??
Simon.

Because the top (IE the open end of the soil pipe) has to be a
minimum of one metre higher than the highest opening window, and in
your scenario, it would be gutter height.
This is why soil pipes have the swan neck to take them past the
eaves and gutter and upwards for a stretch before venting.

Well why not have a side inlet boss into the soil pipe ?
Its not so different from an entire large bathtub emptying into the
soil pipe through an
identical inlet at full force a few metres below.
Simon.

Except that a bath or basin has a trap to prevent sewer smells getting into
the room - doing it the way you describe would still vent sewer gas at the
gutter height, IE about a foot, or even less, above an opening light.

--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Rainwater into the sewage system isn't great from the point of view of
the water company. Older properties would discharge rainwater to the
sewers, but post 1950's built houses should drain gutters to a
soakaway. If you had any sort of extension build, then BC would insist
on soakaways.

Why don't you divert the rain into a large tank and use it for
flushing loo/watering.
As a plus point if you are on water meter then you won't pay to flush/
dispose of your Richard III's.

Dave.

BCO was OK with new roof draining into sewer. I think because we are
on clay,
soakaways dont really work.
Simon.

"Dave Starling" wrote in message
...

Why don't you divert the rain into a large tank and use it for
flushing loo/watering.
As a plus point if you are on water meter then you won't pay to flush/
dispose of your Richard III's.

Water bills are high. The rainwater harvesting is off the shelf stuff.
Mandatory in the BenNeLux countries in new builds. It is worth it with a 7
year, or less, payback. If you want really low bills install a rainwater
harvesting and waste water reclaim system - a tank in or under the garden.
Your water charges drops as well as less water goes down the sewer. It is
one of the few retrofit measures that have a quickish payback. The other is
the GasSaver used on some condensing boilers - 3 to 5 years.

You can justify the costs of rainwater collection quite easily as the whole
kit is cheap using a lot of used orange juice containers. You could use a
basic septic tank (around £500) and a submersible pump (around £50). Since
you are only using collected rainwater for lavatory flushing there's no
requirement to filter it, but if you did want to use it for washing etc.
then you should be able to find a fairly simple filter system for under
£100. Installation adds on a bit. The downpipes from the roof have to feed
into the tank which overflows into the sewer.

Look at:
http://www.rainharvesting.co.uk/

On 28 June, 21:01, "Phil L" wrote:
Simon wrote:
On 28 June, 20:40, "Phil L" wrote:
sm_jamieson wrote:
Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and
neighbour had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split
equally between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both
roofs onto neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a
bit naughty I guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones
saying it overflowed and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our side,
and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet above
first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will certainly keep
her happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put the
roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes right by
the gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be the best
solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be enough water from
the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is flushed.
??
Simon.

Because the top (IE the open end of the soil pipe) has to be a
minimum of one metre higher than the highest opening window, and in
your scenario, it would be gutter height.
This is why soil pipes have the swan neck to take them past the
eaves and gutter and upwards for a stretch before venting.

Well why not have a side inlet boss into the soil pipe ?
Its not so different from an entire large bathtub emptying into the
soil pipe through an
identical inlet at full force a few metres below.
Simon.

Except that a bath or basin has a trap to prevent sewer smells getting into
the room - doing it the way you describe would still vent sewer gas at the
gutter height, IE about a foot, or even less, above an opening light.

--
Yeah, I guess you could put a trap in !
Anyway I have trapped gully to drain into on the plans, this is just
interim ;-)
Simon.

Simon wrote:
On 28 June, 21:01, "Phil L" wrote:
Simon wrote:
On 28 June, 20:40, "Phil L" wrote:
sm_jamieson wrote:
Just had a moment of drama. The main roof gutters of me and
neighbour had a shared downpipe that I guess was supposed to split
equally between the 2 properties. I had temporarily routed both
roofs onto neighbours side whilst extension work is in progress (a
bit naughty I guess). Anyway, just had downpour, and she phones
saying it overflowed and flooded her back door.
Now, we have combined sewer and drains here (1930s house).
I have temporarily re-jigged it so that all water goes to our
side, and down our soil pipe, which currently only extends 2 feet
above first floor, awaiting the extension roof. This will
certainly keep her happy.
But it got me wondering. For a combined sewer, why not just put
the roof drainage into the top of the soil pipe, which passes
right by the gutter ? I mean, a 4 inch pipe from the roof must be
the best solution. Even in heavy rain, there would never be
enough water from the roof to prevent venting when the toilet is
flushed. ??
Simon.

Because the top (IE the open end of the soil pipe) has to be a
minimum of one metre higher than the highest opening window, and in
your scenario, it would be gutter height.
This is why soil pipes have the swan neck to take them past the
eaves and gutter and upwards for a stretch before venting.

Well why not have a side inlet boss into the soil pipe ?
Its not so different from an entire large bathtub emptying into the
soil pipe through an
identical inlet at full force a few metres below.
Simon.

Except that a bath or basin has a trap to prevent sewer smells
getting into the room - doing it the way you describe would still
vent sewer gas at the gutter height, IE about a foot, or even less,
above an opening light.

--
Yeah, I guess you could put a trap in !
Anyway I have trapped gully to drain into on the plans, this is just
interim ;-)
Simon.

Interim is fine, but as you said, the gullies have a trap in them and this
is the reason why

--
Phil L
RSRL Tipster Of The Year 2008