Rainwater drainage connection

[filberto]

Hi all, questions from a DIY beginner about rainwater drainage.

My house is mid terrace, both neighbours either side have rainwater/roof water drainage to a pipe running parallel to the rear of the house. Foul water is all out the front of house.

At some point, prior to me buying the house, a small extension and patio were build to the rear and changes made to the rain water drainage. With worsening weather we have experienced significant pooling of rainwater on this patio area and want to connect to the underground pipe. Options of a soak away were explored, but with a raised garden and clay soil that's a very expensive option.

I have dug up the patio and located the pipe, looks like 5 inch clay pipe (see pictures), which is cemented around the base. My neighbours both have inspection chambers (see pictures), I may have had at one point but who knows what happened when the patio was build. The pipe is patent the whole way and we have confirmed it takes water running from the roof gutters only.

Questions:
1 - Can I connect to this pipe without excavating all the way around e.g. making a lateral connection (see pictures)
2 - how do I cut clay pipe without breaking it

Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

As sewer is shared with the Neighbours, chances are it's the Water Co's asset, you'll need to get their approval before connecting into it. You may be able to (carefully!) cut a hole into it without it breaking, then fit an appropriate size 'Saddle'. Looks like a 6" pipe so a 6" saddle with 4" branch. .

If that doesn't work, then you'll have to cut a section out and graft in a junction/new piece of pipe as required, using Flexseal couplings to make the joints from new to old.

Either way, come off with 4" pipework, fit a gully and you should be sorted.