A stoneware pipe is a drainage pipe made of fired clay (vitrified stoneware) that is glazed, smooth and acid-resistant, used to carry waste water. The firing process fuses the clay into a dense, impervious material, giving the pipe a long service life below ground.
Characteristics
- Vitrified clay — fired at high temperature to a dense, non-porous body
- Glazed and smooth — the smooth bore resists blockage and allows free flow
- Acid- and chemical-resistant — well suited to aggressive waste water and ground conditions
- Durable — resistant to root ingress and long-lasting when correctly laid
Application
Where it is used
- Below-ground foul drainage carrying waste water from buildings to the sewer
- Surface-water drains in some situations
- Older and heritage drainage systems, where clay pipes were the traditional choice
Jointing and laying
- Pipes are laid to a fall on a suitable bed, usually of granular material
- Joints are made at the socket, sealed with a flexible coupling or push-fit ring
- Access is provided at bends and junctions, for example via a rodding eye
Related Terms
- Drainage system
- Waste water
- Rodding eye
- Dry-weather flow
- Socket
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