Channeling around storm drains
Channeling around storm drains
(OP)
There is a 48" storm drain installed in 1960's running 300' through my property draining several hundred acres upstream. Following the last few years drought, these pipes have settled and now sink holes are developing at various points where storm water exits the pipes at the joints, undermining the soil.
Any ideas on resealing these joints from outside of pipes?
Any ideas on resealing these joints from outside of pipes?
RE: Channeling around storm drains
RE: Channeling around storm drains
The line, now that I have dug up a separated joint, is 36" and not the 48" I thought. I agree sealing from inside is the best way to go but not down 150 lineal ft of 36" from nearest manholes.
So far, I have used lean mortor on joints & have tried some of the canned expanding foam. Most open joints seem ~2"-4"; not a lot to seal but a chore to get to it with just a shovel. Luckily the tops are not more than 2' below grade.
RE: Channeling around storm drains
The other best solution may be to line it with a CIPP liner. This would be spendy for one person to pay for.
RE: Channeling around storm drains
Then have the pipes jet cleaned if possible. If there is too much damage this will just blow the pipe apart. I am assuming that if it was installed in the 1960's it is cmp pipe.
After it is cleaned the process involves sending a "balloon" down the pie and injecting plastic (?) sealer onto the walls of the pipe. The balloon is dragged behind the sprayer and pushes the plastic into the grooves of the pipe. This will give it a smooth finish similar to hdpe.
I would check the deed that was filed for this installation. In new jersey, the towns are usually required to maintain their respective drainage systems. This includes the maintenance and repairs.
I hope this helps.
RE: Channeling around storm drains
RE: Channeling around storm drains
You also might approach the upstream landowner and request that he maintain or pay for the fix of the pipes. You might encourage him by allowing the pipe flow capacity to be reduced via benign neglect. I do not know if this is really legal as he may some riparian rights to the pipe.
I really like dicksewerrat's proposal about mechanic's crawler pushing a bucket of mortar. You might add a good flashlight or a miner/caver helmet with a light. 300 Lineal feet is about 35 joints. You probably could do a joint every 20 minutes for a total of about 12 hours of work. Then again , I like caving and small spaces do not bother me. Carry a cell phone for security and have a spotter near by. I surely would not dig up 35 joints. Sealing from the inside could probably be done for 1 sixty pound bag of mortar mix per joint and at $2.50 per bag, under $100 in materials and no backbreaking labor. You could always hire a wiry guy to ride the crawler into the pipes, it would add to the expense, maybe another $100 or so.
Clifford H Laubstein
FL PE 58662
RE: Channeling around storm drains
One troubling issue though is how did the pipe end up oon your property anyway? What is it draining? Municipal? Private? If they do not have an easement or right-of-way caveats, then that line is likely in trespass and damages (sinkholes) resulting from the water flowing through the channel may be recoverable in a civil action. If it is municipal, it is probably easier to convince them to repair the line.
KRS Services
www.krs-services.com
RE: Channeling around storm drains
Before you do ANY changes to the pipe, other than simple repairs, you'd better have a professional engineer evaluate the design hydraulic capacity of the pipe and the capacity after you do your work. (i.e., don't change the inside diameter, internal roughness, or anything that could reduce (or increase) the flow through the pipe..it may not be designed for increased flow downstream. Decreasing the flow upstream could result in flooding of your upstream neighbors. Either way, you may be liable for damages.)
Again, the best approach for you is the donation to the local jurisdiction. If the pipe drains only private property, the jurisdiction probably won't want the pipe. In that case, you'd better get with the neighbors upstream that contribute to the drainage and get their $$$$ support.
Good luck-drainage issues can get messy.