In a nutshell, the sewage collected from your home flows into a sewer main, which leads to a city sewage treatment facility (also known as a sewage treatment plant or STP). In most cases, the sewage travels through a sewer main and either enters a large sewage treatment plant or a smaller sewage pump station that connects directly to a nearby waterway or stream. From there, the sewage is treated and then discharged back into the waterway. There are different types of sewer drains to consider when designing or renovating your home. The type of sewer drains that are installed in a home depend on several factors including the size of the home, the type of building materials used and the geographic location. Here is an overview of the different types of sewer drains used in buildings:
Basement or crawl space drains are usually installed in a basement or crawl space, where they are used to divert excess water away from the foundation of the building. This prevents water from flowing into the basement or crawl space and damaging the floor or walls. The drains are usually made of perforated or slotted pipes that let water flow through them while preventing debris and insects from entering the home.Basement drains are usually installed above the floor of the crawl space or below the floor of the basement. Basement drains are usually made of cast iron, galvanized iron or PVC pipes, while crawl space drains are usually made of PVC pipes. Depending on the type of floor materials in the crawl space or basement, there may be additional drains installed to divert excess water away from the floor.
Basement floor drains are installed at the lowest point in the floor of the basement. Basement floor drains help prevent excess water from accumulating in the floor and causing damage to the concrete or wooden floor. In some cases, the drains can be integrated into the floor construction.Basement floor drains are usually made of PVC pipes, although other types of drains can be used in some cases. A PVC pipe is commonly installed as a sub-floor PVC duct that leads to a larger PVC main line. Sub-floor PVC ducts are also called PVC downspout ducts and are used to collect water from the floor of a home and divert it away from the foundation.
Cement floor drains are installed in a cement floor that is used as a central discharge for the area. In this case, the drains are connected to a central sewer line. A cement floor drain is most commonly used in commercial buildings, where it is common to have a centrally-discharged cement floor. The cement floor drains are installed deep within the floor, in a manner where only a shallow cover is left exposed. As such, they are usually made of an iron or PVC pipe that is perforated.Cement floor drains are commonly made of PVC, but iron or terne-steel pipes can also be used in some cases. When the cement floor drains are installed, they are connected to a larger sewer line that leads to a sewage treatment plant.
Concrete floor drains are installed in a concrete floor that is used as a central discharge for the area. A concrete floor drain is commonly used in commercial buildings, where it is common to have a centrally-discharged concrete floor. The concrete floor drains are installed deep within the floor, in a manner where only a shallow cover is left exposed. As such, they are usually made of an iron or PVC pipe that is perforated.Concrete floor drains are commonly made of PVC, but iron or terne-steel pipes can also be used in some cases. When the concrete floor drains are installed, they are connected to a larger sewer line that leads to a sewage treatment plant.
Basement wall drains are installed in a basement wall that is used as a central discharge for the area. Basement wall drains are commonly used in commercial buildings, where they are common to have a centrally-discharged wall. The wall drains are installed deep within the wall, in a manner where only a shallow cover is left exposed. As such, they are usually made of iron or PVC pipe that is perforated.Basement wall drains are commonly made of PVC pipes, but iron or terne-steel pipes can also be used in some cases. When the wall drains are installed, they are connected to a larger sewer line that leads to a sewage treatment plant.
Crawl space floor drains are installed in a crawl space floor that is used as a central discharge for the area. A crawl space floor drain is commonly used in commercial buildings, where it is common to have a centrally-discharged crawl space. The drains are installed deep within the floor, in a manner where only a shallow cover is left exposed. As such, they are usually made of iron or PVC pipe that is perforated.Crawl space floor drains are commonly made of PVC pipes, but iron or terne-steel pipes can also be used in some cases. When the crawl space floor drains are installed, they are connected to a larger sewer line that leads to a sewage treatment plant.
Crawl space wall drains are installed in a crawl space wall that is used as a central discharge for the area. A crawl space wall drain is commonly used in commercial buildings, where it is common to have a centrally-discharged crawl space. The drains are installed deep within the wall, in a manner where only a shallow cover is left exposed. As such, they are usually made of iron or PVC pipe that is perforated.Crawl space wall drains are commonly made of PVC pipes, but iron or terne-steel pipes can also be used in some cases. When the crawl space wall drains are installed, they are connected to a larger sewer line that leads to a sewage treatment plant.
If you are designing or renovating a building that involves the installation of a sewer system, it is important to consider the type of sewer drains that will be installed. Different types of drains have different purposes and should be selected depending on the circumstances of the building. With the right types of drains, it is possible to prevent damage to the foundation of the building, and even the home itself. With the right drains, water can be collected, treated and discharged back into the environment without causing damage.