Blocking Storm Drains

ckingclean

ckingclean

Cleaning with Aloha
What is a cheap easy way to block storm drains? I've heard of old firehose filled with sand. Are there any others that could be put together quickly?

THANKS!
 
A little kids swimming pool filled with water.
 
Depending on the drain, a rubber mat under the grid works. Rubber ball mentioned before in the hole is best though and cheap.
 
Jim@Garagecleaning said:
We always put a air filled plug inside the drain with a sump
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Jim I would like to see a pic of that when you get a chance, that sounds cool, we carry an air compressor so that would make things easier than sand snakes and such, help us out and show us how you do that ! :D

I know how the sump works all I am intrested in is the sir filled plug.
 
Build your own out of an inner tube. Much like the sand tubes that they sell for weight in winter time. You can glue, then use two small boards to clamp an end shut. You can also glue it shut then put multiple hose clamps on the ends. Use small inner tubes that will blow up enough. Keep it short, around 1 foot long, stuff in drain pipe and blow up.
Grainger has these:

http://www.grainger.com/
Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml?L2=Drain&operator=
prodIndexRefinementSearch&originalValue=plug&L1=Plugs%2C

Non inflatabe type, like a boat plug:

http://www.interstateproducts.com/drain_plugs.htm



Seems the UK is the only place to actually buy one that I can find:

http://www.spillshop.co.uk/acatalog/Inflatable_Drain_Blocker.html
 
Russ Spence said:
Jim I would like to see a pic of that when you get a chance, that sounds cool, we carry an air compressor so that would make things easier than sand snakes and such, help us out and show us how you do that ! :D

I know how the sump works all I am intrested in is the sir filled plug.
Click to expand...


We've used Wayne Balls in the past, during my excavator contracting days

http://www.sewerequipment.com/misc_pipeplugs.htm
 
I had seen ads for the storm water drain air bags but forgot who sells them but if you think about it, those storm water drains that are on streets that have the rectangle openings could be blocked with an innertube that is cut and made rectangular.

Not sure if rubber cement would work but when you patch bicycle tires, those patches never come off and the inner tube can be inflated very large but those patches never come off.

This is a very good idea! Definately worth looking into, just need a small air compressor on the truck or trailer with some hose on a reel or a small portable air tank and those would fill up in seconds and probably be air tight if made to the right dimensions.

Cost would not be much at all, mostly labor to make them to the right size.
 
One thing to think of is tying off your blocker. Tie it to the grate cover. Water pressure moving it to far down too retrieve could be a real pain...
 
Russ Spence said:
Jim I would like to see a pic of that when you get a chance, that sounds cool, we carry an air compressor so that would make things easier than sand snakes and such, help us out and show us how you do that ! :D

I know how the sump works all I am intrested in is the sir filled plug.
Click to expand...

When we pressure wash and clean a Parking Garage structure, we use the following for the storm drain pipes leaving the parking garage facility. These pipes must be block as required by the EPA for Garage Cleaning.


http://webstore.petersenresources.com/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=130012MS

These are very similar to what we have. Not sure who makes ours, however looks pretty dam close. Pricing here is a little better than what we paid 12 years ago. Of course, 12 years ago the INTERNET was not so popular.

The units last a long time as long as you keep them out of the sun. These are better than any "Plug" on the market and the EPA seems to like them for the larger openings.

We have 3 to 4 each of the 6 thru 8 inch, 8 inch thru 12 inch and our grand daddy 12 to 18 inches, which I believe we paid about $800 to $850 each for. If I remember right it weighs in at about 25-30 lbs or so. It is not lightweight and very rugged.

The one thing you MUST be careful about is over inflating. The fear is not popping the plug, the fear is cracking the pipe. Pipes are not designed for outward pressure so much. Just like an egg. However not enough pressure and they will allow water to flow by. Experience is the key here. If you can, go buy some pipe and practice on before you go to your clients pipes and damage there pipes.
 
I use the mats to cover the drains the ones that are designed for fuel oil spills work great and hold up longer than any others I have found. No air, no extra water and self sealing.
ultra drain seal for wash water recover drain guard.JPG
 
We have had success using 4 ml plastic. Lift the grate and put the plastic under and set the grate back down. Sump to wherever.

Dave Olson
 

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Very cool. Thanks for the help guys.
 
EPA wants a simple test to be conducted with the plugging of storm drain. They will not allow a blown up plastic yard bag to be shoved into a drain in fear that it may tear.

They test us by having clean drinkable water in the drain while plugged with a proven device, Mats, rubber plug, etc. We need the device to hold 20 gallons or, till the product that is to seal the drain, is submerged under the water line for approximately 30 to 60 minutes. If water leaks out or the waterline deceases, we cannot use the device and or the drain. They also may put a device down the street where the drain you are using, connects to the sanitary system. They put a device that rotates every hour collecting water samples from the drain. If it leaks, you have a very good chance of getting fined.
 
Jim@Garagecleaning said:
EPA wants a simple test to be conducted with the plugging of storm drain. They will not allow a blown up plastic yard bag to be shoved into a drain in fear that it may tear.

They test us by having clean drinkable water in the drain while plugged with a proven device, Mats, rubber plug, etc. We need the device to hold 20 gallons or, till the product that is to seal the drain, is submerged under the water line for approximately 30 to 60 minutes. If water leaks out or the waterline deceases, we cannot use the device and or the drain. They also may put a device down the street where the drain you are using, connects to the sanitary system. They put a device that rotates every hour collecting water samples from the drain. If it leaks, you have a very good chance of getting fined.
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And you guys are paying the salaries of these inspectors with what?

I think I've found the answer for your governor that will solve your budget problems!:cool:

California could have been the greatest place in the world to live. But your politicians have destroyed it.

When I lived there in the 80's the roads were nice and it was still a decent place to live. Now, the roads look like a third world country, but yet they have the money to send some dimwit around to put meters downstream in a sewer. Ingenious.

Sorry Jim, You and I are friends, but this type of disease needs to be kept in your area and not spread to other parts of the country.
 
That is funny Tony! hahahahaha

Keep those diseases there in California. hahahahaha
 
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