Mar 26, 2019

Trenchless do-it-yourself pipe laying

Builders are well aware that one of the most problematic issues that arise when laying pipes is considered a way to overcome artificial barriers. Such obstacles can be a variety of structures located on the path of the future pipeline (fences, sewer lines, roads, etc.). Generally speaking, the issue of breaking trenches in such places (with subsequent pipe laying into it) in the presence of an object that creates an increased load on the soil is specifically stipulated in the requirements of the SNiP. This is explained by the fact that such an operation can cause a collapse of the earth and the destruction of the structure located above it. The trenchless pipe laying with own hands acquires particular importance in the case of overcoming routes with intensive traffic (including railways). It is in such situations that the so-called “puncture” of the land is applied, which excludes the possibility of unforeseen soil subsidence in the working area.

Techniques for laying pipelines

Trenchless do-it-yourself pipe laying Types of trenchless laying

Among all known techniques The following pipelines are most common:

direct puncture;
so-called soil punching;
drilling (horizontal);
penetration using shields.

In order to select the appropriate pipe laying option, you will need to decide on the following things:

soil condition in the wiring zone (including the presence of natural water in it) ;
the nature of the building;
parameters of the isolation of the laid channel from external factors;
the length of the gasket;
the diameter of the pipeline;
economic justification this way of laying.

Advantages of the puncture technique

Trenchless do-it-yourself pipe laying Puncture under the road

One of the most used methods of pipe routing is a puncture, used when working in clay and loamy soils (with pipes up to 550 mm in diameter). Immediately, we note that the length of the plot laid in this way should not be more than 60 meters. In addition, in this situation, you can not do without special equipment (winches and jack, in particular).

The application of this method has undoubted advantages, due to which it is possible to perform all the work without destroying the roadway (or any other building structure). Indeed, in this situation, you are laying the pipeline directly under the structures or buildings located on the surface of the earth.

A prerequisite for the use of this technique is to take into account the main risks associated with the possible shedding (erosion) of soil layers at the site of the pipeline. In all such cases, an elementary consideration is necessary not only of the quality of the earth's composition, but also the depth of the groundwater in the area of the proposed installation.

Recently, the method of laying pipes, which does not involve digging any trenches, has become more and more popular among builders and is gradually replacing other options for their wiring. Experts consider "puncture" the most reliable method and associate it with its advantages such as:

Preserving the integrity of the site, "punched" by puncture of the soil.
No threat to adjacent communications.
Possibility of rejection of special (heavy) construction equipment.

How to make a puncture with your own hands

Trenchless do-it-yourself pipe laying Independent puncture of the soil

Practical implementation of the trenchless pipe laying method with your own hands is possible only on a relatively short section (no more than ten meters), and also if you have a good physical form that would allow you to carry out heavy work operations. As for the equipment necessary for such work, you will definitely need the following simple tool:

the simplest welding machine;
the usual Bulgarian;
a small sledgehammer;
fittings no thicker than 20 millimeters;
steel pipe of your chosen diameter (several pieces);
a pump equipped with a plastic pipe;
a plastic barrel with a neck (with a capacity up to 200 liters);
a funnel with a hose up to 2 meters long.

The trenching process usually includes the following steps:

Ditch preparation on both sides of the road (with a margin of 12-13 cm). When it is digged, the axis of the pipe that you plan to lay is marked.
After that, the pipe billet is taken and its end is sharpened, which is meant to be driven into the ground. At the same time it is best to cut the teeth on it, using the "grinder".
As you complete all these operations (after each next pushing through of the pipe), you should wash the soil out of its hollow part.
After each successive flushing of the pipe, it should be further driven down with a sledge hammer.