Corrugated vs. PVC Pipe Underground

[Lane]

Does anyone have an older installation of underground, flexible corrugated plastic pipe used for water drainage? How has it performed? Do you think it will last as long as PVC pipe? It sure looks easier to handle and install.

 

[njrqs]

Lane

Yep it sure is easier to install as it doesn't require such accurate trenching etc.

I think it willl last OK. Not as long as PVC, but being undergrounf it does't get UV light etc. so should be OK. Not as strong and will collapse with earth movement etc.

If it helps, I have some for my pool backwash outlet and it has been out on the lawn here for 12 months in our tropical climate and it shows no signs of breaking down.

Cheers

<font color=blue>Neil from OZ.</font color=blue> /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MikePA]

Twenty years ago I used the corrugated, black pipe to route the water from the downspout on the front of our house out to a drainage ditch. The total underground run is about 30 feet and the last 2 feet lay exposed on the bank of the ditch. It still looks as good as the day I installed it.

 

[MossRoad]

My father in law had it from his downspouts, under ground out to a low spot for the past 5 years. Several weeks ago a tornado ripped up some trees in his yard. The root system pulled the pipe up and it still looks good. The gravel looked clean and the filter cloth was still intact. Now there's and inspection!

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[pcmem]

Lane,

My shop uses it for downspout and runoff. It has been exposed for 10 yrs and looks like new. The house has the stuff for draintile runoff and I'd go that route again. Much easier to work with than PVC for drainage. Only concern would be if you were driving over it. Then we use culvert pipe or concrete sewer.

Have fun,
Michael

 

[hayden]

I find it's susceptible to damage where it emerges from the ground. I've switched to PCV. I also think the larger holes in PVC are less prone to blockage, and the smooth interior surface more completely drains the water.

 

[Paul_in_CT]

I agree with hayden. I have dug up many linear feet of the black corrugated pipe. It is more prone to blockage.(roots,dirt,sand). On new install or replacement I always use pvc. Gravel,pipe (holes down) more gravel, filter fabric. What are you using to trench? Most backhoe buckets are at least 2 to 3 times the width of the pipe so instllation isnt that tough. Large tree roots in the way or something like that maybe a pain. I must admit on one occassion I cheated and put in a 2-3 foot section of black pipe to go around some tree roots I didnt want to damage. But if the drain ever get clogged that will be the first place I check.

 

[MikePA]

The black corrugated pipe I installed did not have the holes in it since I wanted to get the water from the spout away from the house.

 

[jfakerj]

Paul
The way I use PVC w/holes on one side is to put the hole up in the area that I want the water to be dispersed from and then put the holes down in the area that I want the water dispersed to. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but It makes sense to me. Pvc also comes with holes all the way around.

Jerry

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've had the non perforated stuff 4 feet underground for over 20 years, and it still works fine for a duct to carry wiring and utilitys to the garage.
The perforated stuff does tend to clog up with fine crap over time, but it can easily be cleaned out with a good industrial vacuum cleaner.