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Underground Drain Pipe Sizes

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When it comes to underground drainage pipes, there are not only different types to suit different applications, there are also a wide range of sizes too. In this guide, we outline which pipes are right for various types of jobs, and highlight the pipe diameters that are available.

Key Takeaways:

  • There are many different kinds of “underground drainage” pipes, including terracotta PVC sewer pipe, land drainage pipe, twinwall drainage pipe or MDPE water pipe.
  • Sizes vary by the type of the pipe. Sewer pipe is most commonly 110mm or 160mm. Land drainage comes in coils with diameters ranging from 60-160mm and twin wall drainage can come in sizes from 100mm to 900mm

Land Drainage Pipe Coils

Land drainage pipe coils are a flexible type of plastic pipe used to reduce water logging in gardens, sports fields and other landscaped areas where excessive rainfall or certain soil types that don’t drain easily are an ongoing problem. This type of piping is available in either unperforated coils or perforated coils which allow water to be collected and then diverted to a suitable disposal point which can either be a soakaway crate system, storm drain or a natural water source such as a stream. Often used as part of a French drain system – (which you read more about in our recent blog post) land drainage pipe coils come in five diameter size options including 60mm, 80mm, 100mm, 160mm and 200mm.

product image of land drainage pipe coils

Sewer Drain Pipes

Manufactured from PVC for its proven durability and light weight for easier installation, one of the key features of underground sewer pipe is its smooth surface which allows for easy water flow and helps to prevent plant and tree roots from wrapping around it and potentially causing damage. Standard size pipe such as the 110mm drainage pipe or 160mm drainage pipe in diameter, which is sufficient to carry waste in most sewer systems, however for heavy duty applications there are larger sizes of PVC pipe on the market if required. Perforated sewer pipe or underground PVC pipe is also available, which is used to either create land drainage around a building, or to ensure efficient removal of surface and sub-surface water to protect a property.

picture image of 160mm sewer pipe

Twinwall Surface Water Pipes

Twinwall drain pipe is two plastic pipes that are fused inside one another to create underground pipes that have a smooth interior and a corrugated exterior for extra durability and increased compressive strength which enables it to withstand large amounts of pressure. It is made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) – a thermoplastic polymer – and as with land drainage pipe coils, twinwall surface water pipes are available in either perforated or unperforated styles for use in surface water and storm water applications. Due to its strength and large sizing – with available diameters of either 100mm, 150mm, 225mm, 300mm, 375mm, 450mm, 600mm and 900mm – twinwall drainage pipes are more suitable for a larger project such as a culvert crossing for example, and it is also often used underneath paths, roads, and heavy duty areas including airports and railways.

picture image twinwall pipe

MDPE Water Supply Pipes

Although not drain pipes and instead are used to transport either drinking or non drinking water, MDPE pipes are made from medium density polyethylene, which is an extremely strong material that is highly suitable for drinking water or pressurised water supplies and have been specifically designed to carry water. Unlike other materials, it can withstand changes in pressure, it does not lose its shape, and it offers excellent resistance to stress, impact, as well as most chemicals too. MDPE water supply pipe – which is sometimes also known as alkathene pipe, mains pipe, PE pipe or just plastic water pipe – can be used for cold water with a maximum temperature of up to 20 degrees celsius, and a working pressure of up to 10 bar.  In line with UK law, water supply pipes come in either blue or black, and are available in a number of lengths with diameters of either 20mm, 25mm, 32mm, 50mm or 63mm. MDPE Pipe is fitted and installed using compression MDPE fittings.

product image of black mdpe pipe 25mm

Cast Iron Underground Drain Pipes

Offering incredible longevity, cast iron underground drain pipes remain to be a popular option for an application that requires maximum strength, and are suited to rainwater applications as well as soil pipe and waste pipe systems. Available in a pipe diameter of either 100m, 150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm or 400mm, cast iron underground drain pipes can also be relatively easy to maintain.

product image of cast iron round downpipe length (plain)-primed (1)

Clay Drainage Pipes

Another commonly found drainage pipe underground are clay drainage pipes. Nowadays PVC pipes are usually used in their place, but they’re still commonly installed in the UK. Their standard sizes are 100mm, 150mm, 225mm and 300mm. Clay pipes are usually made from recycled aggregates and high a high structural strength.

product picture of naylor clay pipe

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