Category: Plumbing

Sewer pipe laying

Laying sewer pipes seems easy until you discover that water drains but odours remain, the washing machine siphons a floor trap, and the toilet “thinks” before it flushes. In sewer work, the geometry matters as much as the pipe itself: run length, slope, bends, venting and maintenance access.

Which pipes and diameters are used

  • 40–50 mm — sinks, shower, bathtub, washing machine.
  • 75 mm — sometimes for a combined branch serving several fixtures.
  • 100–110 mm — toilet, riser and main outlet.
  • Materials — most often PP/PVC, with HDPE or silent systems for specific cases.

What matters most during laying

  • Correct fall. Around 2% is a common target for domestic gravity lines.
  • Fewer sharp bends. Two 45° fittings are usually better than one 90° elbow.
  • Correct tees and entries. Branches should join with the direction of flow, not against it.
  • Clean-outs. Long or complex sections need camera and rodding access.
  • Noise control. Near bedrooms and living rooms, silent pipe or acoustic wrapping is often worth it.

Where new sewer lines are usually routed

  • Inside the screed. The standard scenario in a major renovation.
  • Inside a service shaft. For vertical sections and lines that need access.
  • Along a wall in a boxing. When the floor cannot be raised or the slab cannot be touched.
  • Outside in the yard. When the line runs to a manhole, septic or external main.

What it costs

  • Short internal branch — 600–1,800 ILS
  • Bathroom rough-in for renovation — 1,500–4,500 ILS
  • Main run from bathroom to riser — 2,000–6,000 ILS
  • Chasing, floor opening and finish restoration — priced separately on top

FAQ

Can the pipe be laid with almost no fall if it is new and smooth?

No. Even a smooth new pipe must work as a gravity line with proper fall. Otherwise water leaves first and solids remain inside the line.

Why are 90-degree turns undesirable?

At a hard 90° turn the flow slows down, sediment settles faster, and both a cable and a camera pass through with more difficulty. That is why smoother routing is preferred.

Should a clean-out be installed from the start?

If the run is long, concealed or has several bends — yes, absolutely. A clean-out is cheap insurance against having to open a wall or floor later.