How deep should a sewer line be buried in the yard from house to street?

Question

I'm having my home hooked up to the sewer. It doesn't look like they are putting the pipe more than 6 inches deep in some parts of the line. Is this enough?

Derek · Answer

I live in Marietta Georgia.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

the line should have a gentle slope to meet the main in the street. In my neck of the woods our frost depths can reach 4 feet or more. so most city runs are DEEP...

Derek · Answer

That worries me.  My home is on a hill so I'm not concerned with the slope.  I am concerned about a couple of elbows in the line that can't be lower than 6 inches.  I know ga has a 12 inch frost depth at least.

Derek · Answer

I was hoping for a more specific answer about deep my line should be here in Ga.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

Here is the Georgia Guidelines. I tried to copy and past the part that applies to you, however it font did not carry over correctly. Go to page 14 down to the middle for pitch and middle of page 15 for soil coverage. http://www.gaepd.org/Files_PDF/techguide/wpb/Guidelines_for_Sewage_Collection_Systems.pdf If the job is being done with permits, I would suggest regardless of what this document says, to contact the local plumbing code official and ask them directly. They are responsible for seeing it is done correctly. And must inspect the pipe trench prior to back fill anyway. But three feet is about the normal depth in the country with exceptions to places where the frost level is deeper due to colder weather.

Plumbrite · Answer

I am not aware of any code on depth of a building drain. I have seen jobs were building drains are above ground due to the way the lot has been graded, or due to a drainage ditch, that said Woodbridge is correct, if the job is permitted then the inspector will approve or fail the build drain. Has the final grade been made on the lot? You can also call the Department of Community Affairs,they are the ones that enforce the code here in Ga.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

The doc that woodbridge posted seem to be more of a municipal guide as the slope section has pipe dia starting at 8' and going to 42' ...I would call that well over normal residential size.

Getting the inspector to take a look and tell them you are concerned about the dept removes some of the burden from you.

Kevin M. Veler, Law Office of · Answer

Woodbridge has given great advice as usual--contact your local building officials. They generally are very helpful in answering questions. Also, I would suggest taking some photos of the pipe with a tape measure showing the depth just in case it gets covered. Any construction in GA must meet the minimum code requirements.

Derek · Answer

Thank you for your help

How deep should a sewer line be buried in the yard from house to street?

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How deep should a sewer line be buried in the yard from house to street?

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