Storm sewer cleaning

Storm sewage (or stormwater) is one of the most important elements of landscaping a house plot. The purpose of the storm is to collect rain or melt water and withdraw it outside the territory. Over time, trays and pipes of storm sewers are filled with garbage - branches, pebbles, leaves. As a result, a blockage is obtained, which reduces the efficiency of the system to almost zero. If a similar situation arises, it is necessary to clean the storm sewer. You can do this work yourself, or you can contact a specialized organization.

to contents ↑

Cleaning Methods

Like all communications, storm sewers need periodic maintenance. If a blockage has formed in the drainage channel, garbage removal, washing of channels and pipes are necessary. As a rule, cleaning is carried out 1-2 times a year:

• In the spring, you must carefully inspect the sewer, when the bulk of the snow melts.
• It is advisable to audit the system in the fall.

Important! It is necessary to make an audit of storm sewers if you performed roof repairs. The reason is that construction debris and pieces of bitumen fall into the drainage system, which causes clogging.

to contents ↑

How to clean the roof system?

When stagnating rainwater on the roof, you should start inspecting stormwater from downpipes, funnels, and catchments. Make sure that these structures are not littered. If blockages are present, they must be removed. For this, mechanical collection of branches, leaves and other garbage is quite enough.

Water intake funnels protected by caps and gratings are less likely to clog.

Important! It is best to eliminate blockages in the funnels with water, which is supplied from the hose under pressure.

to contents ↑

Open System Cleanup

When used in an open type stormwater area, cleaning it is not particularly difficult. The storm sewer is cleaned in the following order:

1. Remove the grilles that cover the trays.
2. Remove debris accumulated in the channel.
3. Rinse the channels, directing water under pressure into them.
4. Put the grilles back in place.

to contents ↑

Closed System Cleaning

Clogged stormwater is more difficult to clean from blockages. The pipes located underground must be cleaned by the hydrodynamic method - water, which is supplied under pressure. A strong stream of water destroys plugs of sand, dirt and debris, and the sewage system again becomes operational.

The effectiveness of the method depends on the power of the water pressure and the diameter of the pipes used. For instance:

• If pipes with a diameter of 200 mm were used on the site (most often, this is exactly what happens), then to eliminate blockages a normal car wash, supplying water under pressure up to 350 bar, is quite enough.
• If you use pipes of a larger cross section, you cannot do without the help of a specialized company.

Important! To better clean the sewer better, water is supplied in two directions. First, from the water intake to the collector (in the direction of the natural flow of water), then in the opposite direction.

to contents ↑

Blockage prevention

To less often have to resort to flushing storm sewers, you need to use special treatment facilities.For example, storm water inlets are equipped with special filters that trap debris and prevent the formation of blockages.

Types of filters

Here is a list of wastewater treatment devices to prevent the rapid clogging of stormwater.

• Sorption block.
• Sand trap.
• The filter purifying water of oil products.
• Separator, sump.
• UV water disinfection station.

Important! When purchasing this or that treatment device, it is necessary to take into account the operating conditions of the storm. For example, for a plot of a country or private house, it is quite enough to buy a sand trap. Other elements are used in the installation of industrial sewers.

Design rules

In order to resort to large-scale treatment works as rarely as possible, and even better to avoid them, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules when arranging stormwater:

1. Design of storm sewers in accordance with the requirements of SNiP.
2. Arrangement of sewage without too long or curved sections.
3. In places where there are turns, taps, forks, you need to equip viewing wells.
4. Pipes are preferably used with a smooth inner surface.
5. If you need to clean the sewer 1-2 times a year, then regular inspection and cleaning of treatment facilities should be regular, especially after heavy rains and leaf fall.

Important! In no case should you store bulk building materials near the storm sewer or equip a temporary landfill. Timely cleaning of the territory from garbage is one of the most important factors of non-clogged storm sewers. If you neglect this rule, after the first rain, you may need to clean the storm sewer.

Sand traps: design features

Install a sand trap at the entrance to the pipe. Its device is extremely simple: water enters the device through the upper part, and pours out through the side openings located above the bottom level. Due to the difference in levels, a sump is formed. Sand and heavy trash settle to the bottom.

Important! Sand traps are made of polymer concrete or plastic. The most common option is a removable PVC basket. It has a small mass and is easy to clean from accumulated debris.

to contents ↑

Professional cleaning methods

Professional companies that provide similar services use the following methods:

• Mechanical - punching plugs and removing dirt mechanically.
• Hydrodynamic - flushing storm sewers using a water stream, which is supplied under pressure.
• Thermal - elimination of pollution by steam and hot water.
• Chemical - the use of chemicals that destroy blockages, but are safe for pipes.

Important! The most common way to clean the storm is a mechanical one.

Flushing storm sewers using special equipment

Preventive or emergency operations in large sewers require the services of professional specialists and specialized equipment. The amount of sand and mud deposits in wells and pipes can be measured in tens of cubic meters, and removing them manually is simply unrealistic.

For professional stormwater cleaning, canal washing machines and sludge vacuum systems are used. The equipment is mounted on a wheelbase of heavy-duty vehicles.

Important! Some models of modern equipment perform both functions: sludge pumping and flushing operations with powerful hydrants.

Description of flushing technology:

• A team arrives at the facility with a pre-filled flushing machine.
• A high pressure hose (to a depth of 1-2 m) is introduced into the well.
• The washing process is carried out when a water head of 180-200 bar is supplied.
• Water washes away the sediment, and they flow down to the well ..
• After washing the entire section, the hose is rolled up while continuing to supply water. Pipe flushing quality will be better.
• Sludge deposits are cleaned from the well manually.With a large number of deposits, sludge is removed by a suction plant. In the silo hopper, the dirt is separated from the water and can be reused.

Important! Emptying of the sludge pump is carried out at a specially prepared site or at a landfill.

Pneumatic storm drain cleaning

This method is used when the layers are petrified and do not lend themselves to hydraulic cleaning. The essence of the method is as follows:

• Special pneumatic cartridges are introduced into the cleaning area, with the help of which local hydroblows are created.
• This leads to a short-term change in the geometry of the sewer pipe.

Important! This does not affect the integrity of the storm, but cleaning is quite effective. The method is quite expensive, but in some cases the only possible one.

to contents ↑

Stock footage

Proper planning and arrangement of stormwater, its timely revision and cleaning, compliance with operating rules and simple preventive measures can avoid the use of expensive cleaning services.