Down pipe variation

[Tiger]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Just wondering, does anyone know why there are so many variations with downpipes? Some are round in cross-section, others are rectangular. You can buy them in metal or plastic. Is there any evidence that one type is better than another?
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[Big Shed]

Horses for courses really. If you are collecting water in a "sealed" system in rain water tanks, the only thing you should use is round plastic so you can achieve a seal.
The rectangular metal (or even the rectangular plastic, is almost impossible to seal.

The other draw back of metal downpipes is that they can very noisy, particularly with a 45deg bend at the bottom. Used to have one right nect to our bedroom

[Tiger]

Thanks, Big Shed so there is no legal requirement for one type over another?

[OBBob]

I think techincally a plumber is meant to do it and the pipe size has to be correct and it has to connect to the legal point of discharge for the property ... but otherwise in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne I think you can chose whichever option suits best.

[Big Shed]

I think techincally a plumber is meant to do it and the pipe size has to be correct and it has to connect to the legal point of discharge for the property ... but otherwise in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne I think you can chose whichever option suits best.

You're right OBBob, however my plumber was quite happy for me to do it all, but leave the trenches open and he signed off on it.

I used 100mm sewage pipe all around the house, 90mm round stormwater down pipes, all that goes in to 2x5000gallon poly water tanks.

All we need now is some rain!