Types of sewer pipes: from cast iron to ceramics. Types of pipes for sewage: the choice of suitable material Types and characteristics

Sewerage is the most important set of communications that provides collection and disposal of household and other wastewater. The correct choice of the type of sewer pipes ensures long-term and trouble-free operation of the system. The material of the article gives an overview of the types of pipes, their characteristics, methods of installation and connections.

Cast iron sewer pipes

Cast iron pipes were used massively during construction during the Soviet era. They are still used today, but they are increasingly being pushed out of the construction industry by other types of pipes. This is due to the following reasons:

  1. Large weight of products;
  2. Impact brittleness of cast iron;
  3. Complicated sealing of joints;
  4. Roughness of the inner surface.

Cast iron pipes are very heavy. One running meter of a pipe with a diameter of 100 mm weighs almost 21 kg. This weight is due to the thickness of the walls of the product.

The increased wall thickness is necessary to give the pipe strength. Gray cast iron is brittle and has very low impact resistance.

The installation of cast iron pipes is complicated by their heavy weight and fragility; several people are needed to carry out the work. The pipes are connected using sockets. A bobbin (twisted fabric) is coined into the joint and filled with sand-cement mortar.

Previously, pouring was often performed with fused sulfur, but at the same time, precautions had to be taken - sulfur vapors are poisonous.

Dismantling a cast iron system also has its own difficulties. First you need to clean the seal, then remove the pipe from the socket. During these operations, sockets often burst.

The increased roughness of the inner surface makes the cast iron sewer prone to overgrowth and blockage.

But along with all these disadvantages, cast iron pipes also have significant advantages:

  1. Low susceptibility to corrosion;
  2. Long service life;
  3. Thermal resistance;
  4. Neutrality to aggressive environments;
  5. High degree of noise absorption;
  6. Versatility of application (external and internal networks).

Nowadays, cast iron pipes are produced from modified cast iron (VChShG). The structure is changed with magnesium. This increases the impact strength, the degree of noise absorption, and reduces the overall roughness. For external protection, galvanized and varnished are used, the connection is made in sockets with a rubber O-ring. The main disadvantage of pipes of this type is the high price, it exceeds the cost of polymer analogs by 4 - 5 times.

Ceramic pipes for sewerage

Ceramic pipes are produced by firing clay blanks, then the product is varnished. Pipes made of this material can withstand very high temperatures, are neutral to the effects of concentrated acids and alkalis. The diameter of the products varies from 150 to 1500 mm, the effect of corrosion is completely absent. Ceramic pipes have a smooth inner surface and are not prone to deposits.

Most often, ceramic pipelines are used for external networks, in industries with high-temperature and aggressive drains. The elements are connected through sockets or couplings with rubber seals. Previously, the classical methods of embossing with bobbins and sealing with cement mortar, mastic, and liquid glass were used.

Ceramic pipes have the following disadvantages:

  1. Large mass;
  2. Fragility;
  3. Very high cost.

Due to the large mass of pipes during installation, it is necessary to involve construction equipment and observe precautions due to the fragility and massiveness of the products.

Asbestos-cement sewage pipes

Pipes made from a mixture of asbestos and cement are used for the construction of external sewerage networks. The asbestos component performs the function of reinforcement, but the fragility is still too high.

Pipes made of this material last up to 50 years, easily tolerate medium temperatures and solutions of aggressive substances. The main advantage of asbestos pipelines is their low cost (often lower than the price of polymer products).

Joining and sealing of joints is done in 2 ways:

  1. Sockets or couplings with rubber o-rings;
  2. Embossing sockets with a bob, sealing the joint with cement, liquid glass.

Reinforced concrete sewer pipes

Reinforced concrete pipes are used for the construction of external sewerage networks, wells, large-diameter collectors. For construction work, the use of construction equipment is mandatory. This is due to the high weight of the individual elements.

Reinforced concrete pipes have the following advantages:

  1. High strength;
  2. Neutrality to aggressive environments;
  3. Thermal resistance;
  4. Long service life - up to 40 years.

Pipes are assembled with rubber-sealed bells and sealed with sand-cement mortar. At the same time, special equipment or a system of clamps with levers is used to connect the pipes.

The main disadvantage of pipes of this type is the corrosion of the steel reinforcing frame.

Polymer (plastic) sewer pipes

The absolute leader in the construction of complexes and sewerage networks is polymer plastic pipes. They are made from the following materials:

  1. Polypropylene;
  2. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
  3. Polyethylene;
  4. Fiberglass.

Polymer products have a number of common advantages:

  1. Low cost;
  2. Smooth inner surface that resists the formation of deposits and blockages;
  3. Light weight;
  4. Ease of assembly and installation;
  5. Neutrality to solutions of aggressive substances.

According to the purpose, plastic sewer pipes are divided into 2 types - for internal and external networks.

For internal sewerage wiring, gray polypropylene pipes are most popular.

They have the highest temperature characteristics among polymers:

  1. Working temperature - up to 80 0 С;
  2. Withstand a temperature of 95 ° C for a short time.

The service life of this type of pipes is from 50 years. There is no doubt that with proper operation, this period will be much more important. Pipes made of polypropylene, which have an orange color, are distinguished by a greater wall thickness and increased strength, are used for the construction of an external sewage network.

For the same construction industry, corrugated polypropylene pipes with high ring stiffness are produced.

We also produce PP pipes for silent sewerage (white). They do not require noise insulation measures, which are almost mandatory for all polymer drainage pipelines.

The second most popular pipes are high and low pressure polyethylene pipes (LDPE and HDPE). They can withstand the temperature of the working environment up to 60 0 С.

For external communications, two-layer corrugated polyethylene pipes are produced with high strength.

PVC piping and fittings have an operating temperature limit of 40 ° C. This limitation significantly reduces the frequency of use of this material.

The connection of all plastic pipes is made using sockets with rubber rings, installation does not require significant effort and skill. To facilitate docking, use a silicone gel lubricant or just water.

In addition, PVC pipes are glued together. The joint surfaces are pre-treated with a special compound. The pipe is inserted into the socket and turned a quarter turn to distribute the adhesive evenly. This method of joining is used in pressure sewers.

Large diameter polyethylene pipes (over 100 mm) can be welded using special equipment.

Fiberglass pipes are distinguished by high quality indicators, but they have a significant cost and are not yet particularly popular with the consumer.

The good operation of the sewer system depends not only on internal communications, but also on the external pipeline, which is operated in difficult conditions. Therefore, external sewer pipes must be resistant to wear, durable and able to withstand any temperature extremes. Today, the building materials market offers products for sewage from a wide variety of materials. The consumer can only study their characteristics and choose the option suitable for his home.

Sewer pipe characteristics

When building a comfortable private house, the owner has to choose materials not only for the construction of walls and a roof, but also for a full-fledged sewer system. Every step needs to be thought through and choose high-quality materials so that the sewage system works properly, and it does not have to be repaired soon.

External sewer pipes must have the following characteristics:

Good and long-term operation of the sewer system depends not only on the quality of the pipes, but also on the correct installation with the use of high-quality additional elements. Therefore, if it will be difficult to mount the selected pipeline option or there are no suitable additional elements for it, then you should think about choosing a different type of pipes.

Cast iron pipes

Cast iron products are known to everyone and have been used for a long time. They can be installed both outside and inside the building. The advantages of cast iron include:

The installation of cast iron requirements does not require the use of special materials and tools. A simple cement mortar is suitable as a sealant.

Despite the large number of advantages, cast iron products have three disadvantages:

  1. High price.
  2. Rough inner surface, due to which build-ups are formed over time, the diameter of the passage narrows, the rate of passage of drains decreases and blockages form in the sewer system.
  3. The large weight of the pipes makes their installation and installation a laborious process.

But if the owner of the house installs an external cast iron sewer, it will serve him for about eighty years.

Ceramic pipeline

Ceramic sewer pipes have been produced and operated for more than a dozen years. This is explained by the large number of advantages of ceramic products. These include:

  1. Simple installation.
  2. Resistant to external temperatures and transported liquid.
  3. The inner surface has almost no roughness, due to which there are practically no build-ups, and pipes are not clogged.
  4. Resistance to chemicals, which allows any liquid to be drained into the ceramic sewer.

Ceramic products should be chosen carefully, as they are fragile and may have cracks and chips. Therefore, every pipe should be inspected. Also, due to the fragility of the products, they must be carefully transported and mounted so as not to damage the parts.

Another disadvantage of ceramic pipes is the need to make a large number of joints during installation, since their length is small.

Ceramic pipes with socket and thread are on sale. Their diameter can be from one hundred to six hundred millimeters.

Asbestos-cement pipes

For outdoor sewerage, pipes made of asbestos fiber and Portland cement can be used. Such products are lightweight, so their installation will not be difficult.

Advantages of asbestos-cement products:

  1. Resistant to overgrowth of internal space.
  2. Resistance to chemical and other aggressive substances. Any liquid can be drained into the sewer from such material.
  3. Long service life. The asbestos-cement sewerage system will serve from fifty to one hundred years.
  4. Ease of installation. You do not need to purchase special tools for cutting and joining products.

Just like ceramics, asbestos cement is fragile, so it should be transported and installed with care. And when choosing pipes, they must be carefully examined for the absence of chips and cracks. Particular attention should be paid to the ends of the products.

Polypropylene products are very popular because they are suitable for creating sewers with various schemes, sizes and capacities. The advantages of polypropylene pipes include:

When purchasing polypropylene pipes for the manufacture of sewage systems, it is recommended to choose corrugated products that are more durable than simple ones. They consist of two layers:

  • the inner smooth layer allows the drains to pass unhindered;
  • the outer corrugated layer makes the parts more durable.

The pipeline can be laid to a depth of fifteen meters. Products are connected using "cold welding" or special rubber cuffs. Polypropylene has one drawback: it is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.

PVC pipes

Polyvinyl chloride is distinguished by high performance and physical and technical characteristics. The modern construction market for PVC products offers three types:

  • Heavy pipes with large wall thickness. They can be laid to a depth of eight meters and used for industrial sewerage networks.
  • Medium-hard elements are installed at a depth of two to six meters under roads with medium-intensity traffic.
  • Lightweight products are used for pipelines that are installed at a shallow depth. They cannot be laid under the roadway.

Polyvinyl chloride products have many advantages:

Installation of polyvinyl chloride products does not require special skills and equipment.

Sewer system made of polypropylene

Polypropylene is a rather soft material, therefore it is not suitable for laying at a great depth. They use polypropylene products for the external sewerage of private houses and the installation of storm drains.

Advantages of polypropylene pipes:

Any type of plastic pipes has good wear resistance, is easily cut with a hacksaw for metal and does not lose its performance for a long time. In any hardware store for them, you can purchase fittings and other elements that will be needed for an external sewage system.

DIY sewage installation

The installation of an external pipeline primarily requires the preparation of a project, which includes calculating the size of the system, choosing materials, counting connections. After that, the necessary tools are prepared and materials are purchased.

Stages of work:

If all the calculations and installation of the sewage system was done correctly, then it will be necessary to pump out wastewater no more than twice a year.

The choice of external sewer pipes should be taking into account the capabilities of the owner of the house and the individual characteristics of the site. Heavy cast iron products in private homes are rarely used today. Many experts argue that PVC pipes are the ideal option for creating a sewage system in a country house.

The main sewage system is a complex engineering system designed to ensure the collection and disposal of household wastewater to the central treatment facilities. The main sewerage systems include both gravity and pressure pipelines, collectors, pumping stations, and treatment facilities.

The principle of operation of the main sewage system is identical to the standard local wastewater disposal system, the differences are only in the sizes and volumes of received and treated wastewater, as well as the diameter of the pipes - the closer the pipe is to the central collector, the correspondingly larger the diameter. As a rule, sewer pipes are laid with a slight slope towards the treatment facilities so that wastewater flows through them by gravity. But when arranging the main sewerage system, this is not always possible, since the requirements for the construction of buildings sometimes contradict the rules for laying sewerage systems, in such cases the pipes are laid above or below the required level, and the movement of wastewater to the treatment plant is carried out using a pump.

Having passed the entire sewerage system, the wastewater enters the biological wastewater treatment system, where the main wastewater treatment is carried out by fermentation accelerated with the help of chemical reagents.

An alternative to centralized sewerage systems are local wastewater treatment plants lok, which use the method of cleaning domestic wastewater using aerobic bacteria and microorganisms. Station LOK is a large container made of high-strength fiberglass, divided into three compartments. In the first compartment, wastewater is purified from mechanical impurities by settling, in the second, biological purification takes place with the help of aerobic bacteria, for which air is forced into the container - as a result, sludge is formed in the compartment, which is periodically pumped out by a special pump. Silt is completely safe and can be used as plant fertilizer. From the third compartment of the tank, already purified water enters the drainage ditches or is used for irrigation.

Installation and installation of treatment facilities LOK does not require special skills and can be carried out independently due to the small size of the station.

You can buy local treatment facilities both for arranging the sewerage system of a private house, and for organizing the sewerage system of a small village - you just need to correctly determine the required throughput of the station.

When choosing a treatment plant for a country house, you need to take into account the number of residents, the volume and composition of household wastewater, the type of soil, the depth of freezing, as well as the depth of groundwater.

Special permission for the installation of a local treatment plant is not required, the main thing is to have a certificate of Rospotrebnadzor for it, as well as related documentation - installation instructions and operating rules.

Each owner wants everything to work in his household, nothing breaks, it is easy to maintain and install. And sewage is no exception. It is necessary that it requires as little attention as possible - it is very inconvenient if it clogs up, but it is no less unpleasant to clean it. If you want to have a trouble-free drainage system, pay attention to plastic pipes for sewage. They are gradually replacing cast iron, and all because they cost less, are easier to assemble, have a large assortment - different diameters and lengths, almost no deposits form on their smooth walls, and even the service life is about 50 years. All this bouquet of properties determines their popularity.

Types of plastic sewer pipes

  • polyethylene (PE):
    • high pressure (HPP) - for internal sewerage wiring;
    • low pressure (PND) - it is possible to lay outside, in trenches (have great strength);
  • polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
  • polypropylene (PP)

And a number of other thermoplastics and their combinations, but they are rare - people prefer to use already known materials.

The material of the plastic sewer pipes is selected depending on the area of \u200b\u200bapplication. For example, polypropylene is more suitable for laying sewage inside a house or in an apartment. It has a higher operating temperature range - it normally tolerates media up to 70 ° C, for a short time - up to 95 ° C. If there are various household appliances that drain hot waste water into the sewer, this will not be superfluous. PVC pipes, which have lower prices, are more appropriate when laying an external sewage system - there are usually already mixed drains, so that temperatures are lower and PVC can take them out without harm (operating up to + 40 ° C, short-term increase to 60 ° C).

Also, sewer pipes are smooth and corrugated. Moreover, not only the branches from the siphons can be corrugated. There are profiled pipes for sewerage with a smooth inner wall and an outer ribbed one. They have greater strength - they better tolerate compressive loads (they have increased ring stiffness), and can be buried to a greater depth. Available in diameters from 110 mm to 1200 mm.

Dimensions and diameters

Sewer plastic pipes, unlike water and gas pipes, are produced in the form of sections, 50 cm long, 100 cm, 200 cm, etc. - up to 600 cm. The maximum length is 12 meters, but some manufacturers can make longer sections on request. When laying long routes, this is convenient - fewer connections, fewer possible places for problems (leaks or blockages).

Another important characteristics of plastic pipes are diameter and wall thickness. In the marking, they usually go side by side: there are numbers 160 * 4.2. What stands for: the outer diameter of the pipe is 160 mm, the wall thickness is 4.2 mm. Here it is worth remembering that manufacturers indicate the outer diameter of plastic pipes, and many calculations and planning require knowing the inner diameter. It is easy to calculate: from the outside we subtract twice the wall thickness: 160 mm - 4.2 mm * 2 \u003d 151.6 mm. In calculations and tables, a rounded result usually appears - in this case - 150 mm.

In general, the industry produces plastic pipes for sewage with a diameter of 25 mm. The maximum cross-section depends on the type of pipe (smooth or corrugated) and the material from which it is made. For example, smooth PVC sewer pipes can be up to 630 mm in diameter, and profiled two-layer pipes - up to 1200 mm. But these dimensions are useless for homeowners or apartment dwellers. In private housing construction, diameters up to 100-110 mm are mainly used, rarely up to 160 mm. Sometimes, for a large cottage with a large number of plumbing fixtures, a pipe 200-250 mm in diameter may be needed.

How to choose a diameter for connecting plumbing fixtures

According to the rules, it is necessary to make a calculation, it is fully spelled out in SNiP 2.04.01085. This is a complex matter, a lot of data is required, so few people really think it right. Over the years, the practice has made it possible to derive the average diameters of polyethylene sewer pipes for each of the plumbing fixtures. You can safely use these developments - all calculations usually come down to these dimensions.

Name of the plumbing fixtureDiameter of plastic sewer pipeSlopeDistance between central drain and siphon
Bath40 mm1:30 100-130 cm
Shower40 mm1:48 150-170 cm
Toilet bowl100 mm1:20 up to 600 cm
Sink40 mm1:12 from 0 to 80 cm
Bidet30-40 mm1:20 70-100 cm
Kitchen sink30-40 mm1:36 130-150 cm
Combined drain - bath, sink, shower50 mm1:48 170-230 cm
Central riser100-110 mm
Outlets from the central riser65-75 cm

As you can see, plastic pipes for sewage with a diameter of 30-40 mm are mainly used. Only for the toilet a much larger size is needed - 100-110 mm. This is due to the peculiarity of functioning - it is necessary to drain a large amount of water in a short period of time. At the same time, there must be room for air in the pipe, otherwise it will rip off the water locks on other plumbing and the "aromas" from the sewer will enter the room.

When making a device, you must remember a few more rules:


We must also not forget about the insulation or heating of the sewer outlet in a private house. The vertical section that goes from the outlet to the entrance to the trench must be well insulated. Additionally, they are often used. In the case of sewers, they are usually laid outside, then covered with heat-insulating material.

That’s all. The rules are simple, but if you follow them, everything will work for a long time and trouble-free.

Features of the installation of plastic sewer pipes

Plastic pipes for sewage on one side end with a socket, into which a sealing rubber is inserted. The segments are connected simply: an even edge is inserted into the socket. Since the dimensions are strictly standardized, this, in principle, is sufficient for a tight connection. In practice, the O-ring is often additionally coated with a silicone plumbing sealant.

When installing sewer plastic pipes, at times they have to be cut. It is convenient to do it using a hand saw with a metal blade - small teeth cut well and leave an almost even edge. You can also use a grinder or jigsaw. In any case, before installing the trimmed piece, its edge must be processed with fine-grain sandpaper - remove any burrs, make it even. A piece of waste can catch on the protruding pieces, As a result, a blockage may form in this place. Therefore, we carefully smooth out the saw cut.

When creating a sewer network in a house or apartment, it is often necessary to make a branch. For this there are fittings - adapters from one diameter to another, tees, corners with different degrees of rotation, etc.

Recently, the choice of sewer pipes has been limited to cast iron and steel products. Today their assortment has significantly increased - PVC pipes for sewage, polyethylene, propylene products have appeared, which is very difficult to choose from without specialized knowledge. Our article will come to the rescue.

The properties of wastewater disposal systems are largely determined by the material of the sewer pipes. On this basis, they are divided into:

  • metal;
  • polymer;
  • ceramic;
  • concrete and asbestos-cement.

Metal pipes

These are ferrous metal products that are the best from an economic point of view:

  • they are highly durable;
  • can be operated in a wide temperature range;
  • easy to process.

But all these advantages are nullified by their susceptibility to corrosion and significant weight. At the moment, metal types of pipes for sewage are practically not used in everyday life. They are used only in industry for the disposal of waste chemical fluids.

Cast iron pipes

Cast iron is more expensive than steel pipes for sewage due to its much greater mass, but it is less susceptible to corrosion. Cast iron products are sometimes used in everyday life for sewer pipes and external outlets to the collector.

In addition to the advantages and disadvantages inherent in all ferrous metal products, cast iron pipes for sewage:

  • They have a rough surface, which contributes to the accumulation of dirt, which leads to a noticeable decrease in the permeability of the drain.
  • Inconvenient for installation - to ensure the tightness of the joints, special materials and certain experience of workers are required.

The modern version of cast iron is ductile iron pipes for sewerage, obtained by modifying simple cast iron with magnesium. As a result, the material has become more durable and ductile, eliminating the risk of cracks and their propagation.

Ductile iron pipes combine:

  • Mechanical characteristics of steel: impact resistance, tensile strength, ductility, high elongation.
  • Corrosion resistance of cast iron.

Polymer (plastic) products for sewage

Plastic pipes are used for laying internal and external sewerage systems. They are all flexible. Flexible pipes for sewage are those that are not damaged when the deformation coefficient is more than 3%.

A common advantage for all types of polymer sewer pipes is the maximum throughput provided by smooth walls. In such products, blockages almost never occur (they are possible only on sharp turns of the pipeline, which should be avoided or performed as smoothly as possible).

Polymer pipes for sewage by material are divided into 3 types:

  • polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
  • unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U);
  • polypropylene (PP);
  • polyethylene (PE).

Polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC)

PVC pipes are used in gravity sewage systems (drains move due to their own weight and the slope of the pipes). PVC pipes are UV resistant and durable. They are used for internal and external sewerage systems. But PVC pipes for sewage have poor resistance to temperature extremes and the effects of aggressive environments. When they burn, they release the poisonous gas phosgene.

According to the strength class, PVC pipes for sewage are:

  • light SN 2 - used when the sewage system lies at a shallow depth and does not cross roads;
  • medium SN 4 - can be laid under small roads;
  • heavy sewer pipes sn8 - used for laying under industrial enterprises and highways.

Products made of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U)

PVC-U pipes can be used in any sewage system: pressure and non-pressure, external and internal. The disadvantages are the same as for PVC: flammability and poor temperature resistance. PVC-U pipes for sewerage can be used with constant filling with drains with a temperature of up to 60 ° C (a short-term increase to 100 ° C is possible).

Polypropylene pipes

Polypropylene pipes for sewage are distinguished by a long service life (100 years) and resistance to high temperatures. These characteristics make it possible to use PP pipes for sewerage in internal wastewater disposal systems.

The use of PP pipes for external networks is not recommended, since they are characterized by increased softness, and therefore, they can be easily deformed during operation or installation.

Advantages of polypropylene products:

  • Due to mechanical stress, pipes are deformed without breaking.
  • High temperature resistance (drains can have temperatures up to 100 ° C).
  • Resistant to alkalis and acids.
  • Environmental Safety.
  • High diffusion resistance.

Disadvantages of polypropylene products:

  • High elasticity, which requires thickening of the walls for laying them in the ground.
  • Low UV resistance.

Polyethylene pipes for sewage have a working temperature range from -40 to + 40 ° C. The disadvantages include the presence of a high coefficient of linear expansion under the influence of temperature, as well as insufficient heat resistance. It is not recommended to use PE pipes for sewage in systems into which hot water is drained.

HDPE sewer pipes

HDPE pipes are made from low pressure polyethylene.

They have the following advantages:

  • Long service life.
  • Lack of corrosion.
  • Resistant to aggressive media.
  • Low coefficient of thermal conductivity.
  • No expansion and elongation from high temperatures.
  • Possibility of operation at low temperatures (down to -70 ° С).
  • Resistant to water hammer.
  • Low weight.

Cons of HDPE products:

  • Low resistance to high temperatures, but cross-linked polyethylene is able to withstand up to + 400 ° C.
  • Low mechanical strength.
  • Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, they lose their properties.

When HDPE pipes are used, the external sewerage system should be located exclusively underground. With their help, it is possible to perform thermal insulation of pipelines.

Corrugated pipes

Such products are used only for external sewerage networks, in cases where the requirements for strength are especially high. The corrugated pipe for sewage can be buried in the ground to a depth of 15 meters.

These products consist of:

  • A smooth inner wall that allows water to flow freely.
  • Large diameter corrugated outer wall made of thick polyethylene for high strength.

Some manufacturers produce two-layer sewer pipes made of polypropylene, which makes them resistant to high temperatures. These products are typically used in factories where resistance to high temperature industrial waste is required.

Ceramic sewer pipes

The characteristics of ceramic pipes make them suitable for particularly unfavorable conditions. It is advisable to use ceramic pipes for sewerage at a high level of groundwater, which are characterized by high aggressiveness. The only possible option under such conditions makes them resistant to corrosion.

Immunity to chemical influences makes it possible to use ceramic pipes for industrial sewerage, where wastewater is characterized by a high content of chemically active elements. These products are resistant to static loads.

The thickness of the walls allows installation in areas with traffic. The diameter of the ceramic pipes allows their use for the construction of sewage systems with a high rate of drainage.

Disadvantages of ceramic pipes:

  • The standard length of pipes is insignificant, which increases the labor intensity of their installation and reduces its speed.
  • Significant weight complicates transportation and installation.
  • Ceramic pipes are very fragile - they can be easily damaged by an inadvertent impact. Delivery and stacking must be done with great care.
  • Ceramics, unlike plastic pipes, does not tolerate freezing - products burst. In this regard, during installation, it is necessary to observe certain depths of the laying, or to carry out all the required measures for thermal insulation.
  • Difficulty cutting to size as pipes are fragile.

Selection of the cross-section and dimensions of the pipeline

The correct selection of elements and proper installation of the sewage system guarantees two main criteria for the functioning of the system: trouble-free passability and tightness. In order to choose the right products, of which the assortment of sewer pipes contains many, a number of factors must be taken into account.

The main points of the selection of pipes for the sewage system:

  1. Traditionally, the pipe diameter of a normal drainage system is 100 mm.
  2. In buildings of individual construction, intended for permanent residence of a large number of people, the diameters of the pipes are set by the designer.
  3. The types of sewer pipes and connections depend on the specific operating conditions of the system. The piping can be routed from pipes with a diameter of 50 mm, in geometrically complex sections - from corrugated pipes connected to PVC channels. Their connection is carried out by means of special sockets. For products that do not have sockets, rubber, less often polymer couplings are used.
  4. Typically, the sewer pipeline consists of circular products. But on sections with a high load, which can be created by intensive movement or the weight of the soil, it is permissible to use products with an elliptical section. In cases where the sewerage depth is insignificant (0.5-1 m), good throughput is provided by channels with a semicircular, trapezoidal or rectangular section.
  5. Sewer pipes are selected depending on the purpose of the site:
    • from the riser to plumbing equipment - diameter 50-100 mm;
    • for risers - diameter 100-110 mm;
    • in the basement or basement, in the case of a complex system with a large number of connections - diameter 110-150 mm;
    • external pipes that transfer wastewater to a cesspool, septic tank or centralized sewer network must have a diameter not less than the diameter of the last pipe from the building.

In case of insufficient depth of the wrist section, the equipment located in the freezing zone must be insulated to prevent pipe breaks in the winter. Due to the stability of temperatures at depth, insulation of the network located below the freezing level is rarely done. But it is advisable to do thermal insulation of pipelines in any case to completely prevent the likelihood of emergencies and subsequent repair work.

The flawless operation and duration of the functioning of sewer communications depends on the correct selection of pipes. Information about the advantages and disadvantages that different types of sewer pipes have, makes it possible to make the right choice for those who want to repair or equip individual houses with sewerage.