Att All Builders/Plumbers!

[Nigel Hamilton]

Was sitting the other day, and decided that new offices would be nice, so have started digging the foundations for a new pub, offices, patio, bathroom, workshop, shower, toilet, little kitchen, new bedroom, new boundry wall......i sit too much

anyway, am doing this myself (okay not like spade in hand..hired help)

The question is, during the excavation on the office side...discovered that there is a 150mm storm water drain which will go through/intersect the foundation in 3 places. During the dig on the bedroom side, discovered similar thing but sewage pipe....

How does a person protect these pipes in the foundation?

Anybody with a bit of knowledge in building?

[Martinco]

Our local regulations specify that these sort of piping needs to be encased in concrete for the total distance underneath the building.
But please check with your local council to find out if your regs differs.

[Nigel Hamilton]

They will by default be encased in concrete, they actually will be running through the foundation...i am worried that the weight of the structure will crush them?

[Martinco]

I do not think you need to worry about crushing as this is VERY unlikely if you take the forces exerted on the pipe.
Just in case my previous post is not clear......... The whole pipe needs to be encased ALL the way from where it enters the foundation till where it exits again including underneath the floor. If I remember correctly the encasement I had to do was 500x500 mm around the pipe.

[wynn]

And be careful that after you have encased it the concrete does not shear the pipe off where it meets the soil.

It would be more sensible to divert it around the outside of the foundation.

[AndyD]

I would be asking myself what effect these pipes will have on the structural integrity of the foundations.

[Dave A]

I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that these problems were only discovered on the dig.

Does your property have plans?
Do you have to submit plans to the local municipality for this extension/new structure?

It would be more sensible to divert it around the outside of the foundation.

I second that thought.

[Nigel Hamilton]

Thanks so much for all your help, have solved the problem by moving my house 2m to the right

[Dave A]

Did you get a planning approval for that so quickly?

I expect the main hazard to cover for is if one of those pipes crack and spring a leak. A little trickle of water over time sure can dig a big hole.

[Nigel Hamilton]

Did you get a planning approval for that so quickly?

I expect the main hazard to cover for is if one of those pipes crack and spring a leak. A little trickle of water over time sure can dig a big hole.

naa just hoping they won't notice that my whole house has moved

[Nigel Hamilton]

Just kiddin...re-routing sewage...much easier

[Dave A]

Just kiddin

I was fairly confident of that

[Justloadit]

Hy Nige - shit happens

[Ianrekkel]

Absolutely correct, encased in concrete for the total distance underneath the building and through the foundations. You must also ensure that there is no "Inspection Eyes" that might now be build over, if there is you will have to move the sewer line. The "Inspection Eye" is where you will open to un-block the sewer.