When you think of your home’s storm water system, your mind probably imagines those gutters, downpipes and drains. They all work together to ensure that the storm water that hits your roof is perfectly managed in order to avoid flooding, property damage, waterway & water supply contamination, and more. But a less talked about aspect of your stormwater management system is the humble stormwater pit.
How does a stormwater pit work?
What is a stormwater pit? It’s really quite simple: it’s a sturdy chamber built into the ground with the aim of collecting excess storm water in a managed way to give the rest of your storm water system the ability to cope with peak drainage demands. When it’s performing its role in the most vital of moments, it prevents flooding & pooling by giving that collection storm water a proper place to sit and wait for management.
While that may sound simple enough, it’s crucial to get the perfect size, specification, material, filtration system and installation requirements exactly right for your property and peak stormwater management demands. Investing in a drain inspection is a good idea to ensure you need a pit and that the issue is not just a stormwater drain blocked by tree roots which are quite common.
There are a few basic types of stormwater pits:
- Precast knockout: It may be a complex name, but this pit drain – made of heavy-duty precast concrete – is the most common kind.
- GRC: This acronym stands for Glass Reinforced Concrete, and is a lighter alternative that can be easily moved by a couple of strong people.
- Side entry: The pits you’ll find next to the street gutters are ‘side entry’, as they get their name from the way the water finds its way in there.
- Custom: You’ll find plenty of stormwater pit manufacturers who can custom design and manufacture a pit to your precise requirements.
How to install a stormwater pit
But no matter what type of stormwater pit you need, you’ll need a licensed professional, well experienced in stormwater drainage solutions to plan and install it for you just about everywhere in Australia – and not just because it’s a regulatory requirement. Get that installation wrong, and you could be opening yourself up to flooding so bad that it will spill uncontrollably onto your neighbour’s property, or even damage your home’s very foundations.
But if you do want a basic outline of what is involved with stormwater pit installation, here it is:
1. Check
Before starting, it’s crucial to know and check that the foundation, including the materials used for the bedding, is fully prepared for a proper and compliant stormwater pit installation.
2. Prepare
In most cases, the lifting of your stormwater pit is the most difficult part of the installation, normally done with the assistance of lifting clutches to handle the weight. It’s also crucial to clear the surrounding areas to prevent damaging the pit or other vulnerable objects.
3. Lift
Your pit will need to be precisely positioned in its place, ready to be connected to the relevant downstream pipe. Before lifting, position the pip slightly upwards so that the joint can be connected before it hits the bedding. There should also be adequate clearance beneath the pipe for the application of sealant.
4. Ensure
The next step is ensuring the pit is sitting perfectly horizontally, with the help of a spirit level. The need for precise positioning also applies to the downstream/upstream invert levels.
Put your stormwater pit installation in the Masters’ hands
Need professional help? Drain Masters Plumbing are your true local plumbing experts for all of your plumbing system’s drainage needs, including inspection, drain cleaning and installations. We service every corner of Gold Coast including Coomera, Robina, Southport, Burleigh Heads as well as the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta region south to Casuarina. With fully-stocked vans, fast service, great rates and totally guaranteed workmanship – why not give Drain Masters Plumbing a call today.
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