Storm sewer cleaning: types of storm drains, causes of clogging, cleaning technology and blockage prevention

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

Storm sewer is a system that is designed to drain meltwater and precipitation from the surface. Any type of stormwater can become clogged for one reason or another. At the same time, dams and puddles will constantly form on the surface. They interfere with free movement around the territory and adversely affect the condition of the foundation of buildings. That is why it is important to clean the storm drains regularly.

Types of storm drains

There are two types of stormwater:

• linear;
• spot.

Linear sewer is a system of canal network through which rainfall is transported outside the territory. This design allows you to eliminate runoff from residential areas, and from sites with asph alt andconcrete cover. Installation of the linear system is carried out with a slope towards the centralized sewage system. It includes a filtering device that protects channels from household debris. Storm sewer cleaning is carried out by specialists who have professional equipment.

The second type of system includes several special devices, collections of atmospheric precipitation that come from the roofs. The rain collectors are connected by a central sewage system that removes moisture through a gutter. To ensure the durability and safety of the structure, protective gratings are installed on top of the storm water inlets, and filters are installed that prevent debris and sand from entering. Linear storm sewer cleaning should always be carried out by specialists with experience and the availability of appropriate equipment.

Causes of clogging

All sorts of small debris constantly penetrates into any system. There are other causes of blockages:

• Construction work. If the facade was updated or the roof was blocked, then cleaning the storm sewer is necessary. It is checked whether plaster fragments, foam plastic and other materials have been brought into the pipes and gutters, which will turn into a cork in the rain.
• Heavy rainfall. After a heavy downpour, it happens that the system is flooded with mud or fine sand. It is difficult to prevent such a phenomenon, so there is only one way out - to carry out cleaning.
• Illiterate editing. When the angle of inclination in the pipeline is incorrect or absent at all, then waterstagnates and debris accumulates faster. You can check compliance with the building level.
• Curved pipe laying. If the system is equipped with a large number of sharp turns, there will definitely be blockages. That is why, when drawing up a project, it is necessary to minimize bends.
• General house gap. In closed systems, when the storm drain is connected to a pipeline that removes household waste, cleaning the house pipe is often the problem.

Cleaning Methods

Many organizations need to clean out storm drains. For example, a tender is being held to clean storm sewers at a thermal power plant. Specialists first study the condition of the pipes, and then choose the type of cleaning, calculating its effectiveness.

The following methods can be used:

• Hydrodynamic – breaks plugs and removes debris.
• Mechanical - blockages are eliminated by powerful water pressure.
• Chemical - reagents are used that affect pollution and are gentle on pipes.
• Thermal - the system is cleaned with hot water or steam.

In order to improve the throughput of pipes, a hydrodynamic method is often used, coupled with a mechanical method. Thermal type suitable for rooftop storm drain.

Hydrodynamic method

Hydrodynamic cleaning of storm sewers is the treatment of the internal cavity of pipes with a water jet under high pressure, as a rule, it is 100-200atmospheres. Due to the strong pressure, the surface is sanded. The pipe is completely freed from precipitation and begins to self-clean. After washing, plaque does not form quickly.

The principle of operation of the hydrodynamic machine is as follows:

• The working body with a nozzle is placed at the beginning of the section.
• The compressor turns on and a powerful jet flows from it through the hose under pressure, pushing the hose and nozzle through the pipe.
• The sediment breaks.

When flushing, the specialist controls the position of the hose and, if necessary, adjusts the pressure. Nozzles have nozzles of the return and direct action. The first type is located behind the device and from it the jet moves backward diagonally. The second type feeds water forward.

Storm drain cleaning with the hydrodynamic method means that the forward jets destroy most of the sediment, while others complete the cleaning of the walls of the pipes.

Mechanical method

This type of storm sewer cleaning is commonly used to clean individual systems. The essence of the method is that the accumulated pollution is removed manually in such sections of the network as:

• drainage channels;
• gutters that are fixed around the perimeter of the building;
• collected fluid purification systems;
• Rain sinks into which water flows from the gutters.

In order to clean the storm sewer system, it is allowed to use all kinds of improvised means, for example,broom, mop or special device with different tips. Collected contaminants are disposed of.

Thermal method

Cleaning the drains of storm sewer pipes in Kursk or any other city by the thermal method is different in that the liquid enters the sewer system not only under pressure, but also at a high temperature - about 120-140 ° С.

The advantage of this method is that it is possible to clean the system, both from dirt and debris, and from fat deposits that have accumulated on the drainage trays and pipes. It is necessary to work with thermal equipment that supplies high temperature water under pressure in compliance with all operating rules prescribed in the instructions.

Chemical method

Cleaning storm sewers in Volgograd or another locality by the chemical method involves the use of chemicals and reagents to clear blockages. It is recommended in cases where other methods are not available or do not bring a positive result. Many drugs are toxic, so their use requires strict adherence to elementary rules for human protection.

Cleaning of storm sewers with reagents is carried out using specialized equipment that feeds the composition into the sewer network. Then they begin to interact with deposits, break them down and transfer them to a liquid state. Means for dry cleaning are developed in speciallaboratories. This method is often used to clean stormwater systems in factories.

Consequences of pollution

Cleaning storm sewers in Ryazan and other cities is required. Drains must be protected from large debris with special gratings. However, due to the gap, a lot of debris enters the system. If the drainage systems become clogged, then the precipitation will not leave the street and form local floods. Moisture causes inconvenience and causes severe damage to the foundation of structures. For this reason, it is necessary to constantly inspect storm sewers and drains, and clean them in a timely manner.

The choice of method for cleaning sewer systems is based on the location of the storm drain. For domestic networks, it is better to use the hydrodynamic and mechanical method, and for industrial areas, the thermal and chemical method is recommended. It is always important to remember the frequency of cleaning the pipes, because the formation of blockages leads to fetid odors and flooding of the site. Only a responsible approach can avoid unpleasant consequences. At the same time, it is important that the work is carried out by specialized specialists who know their business and have the necessary equipment and tools.