Drainage Systems Technician Course

Lesson 1 • Core Components and Terminology

Identifies pipes, fittings, traps, cleanouts, and manholes with correct trade terminology. Accurate naming supports communication with inspectors, engineers, and clients.

Lesson 2 • Water Flow and Hydraulic Principles

Covers gravity flow, pressure dynamics, and pipe friction as they apply to drainage. Establishes the physics that govern all subsequent system design and troubleshooting decisions.

Lesson 3 • Drainage System Categories

Distinguishes sanitary, stormwater, and combined drainage systems by function and design. Provides context for selecting appropriate methods throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Confined Space Entry Procedures

Covers permit-required confined space protocols, atmospheric testing, and rescue planning. Technicians must complete this section before entering any manhole or vault.

Lesson 2 • Hand Tools for Drainage Work

Covers pipe cutters, wrenches, levels, and measuring tools specific to drainage installation. Proper tool selection reduces rework and prevents component damage.

Lesson 3 • Tool Maintenance and Calibration

Establishes inspection schedules, cleaning routines, and calibration checks for all drainage tools. Well-maintained equipment ensures accurate diagnostics and safe operation.

Lesson 4 • Power and Mechanical Equipment

Introduces drain snakes, hydro-jetters, pipe cameras, and excavation equipment. Students match equipment to task type and site conditions.

Lesson 1 • As-Built Documentation

Records field changes onto drawings to produce accurate as-built documents for future maintenance. Proper documentation reduces diagnostic time on future service calls.

Lesson 2 • Blueprint Symbols and Conventions

Decodes standard drafting symbols for pipes, fittings, fixtures, and flow direction. Symbol literacy is the prerequisite for all plan-reading tasks in later chapters.

Lesson 3 • Site Survey Techniques

Uses optical levels, laser levels, and GPS equipment to verify existing grades and locate buried lines. Field survey data confirms or corrects drawing information.

Lesson 4 • Invert Elevations and Pipe Grades

Calculates invert elevations, percent grade, and fall per foot from drawing data. Accurate grade calculations prevent standing water and system backups.

Lesson 1 • Joining Methods and Sealants

Covers solvent welding, rubber gasket, no-hub coupling, and compression joint techniques. Each method is matched to material type and service conditions.

Lesson 2 • Drainage Pipe Material Properties

Compares PVC, ABS, cast iron, clay, HDPE, and concrete pipe for strength, chemical resistance, and cost. Material selection drives long-term system performance.

Lesson 3 • Trench Preparation and Pipe Bedding

Details trench width, depth, bedding material, and compaction requirements for buried drainage pipe. Proper bedding prevents pipe deflection and joint failure.

Lesson 4 • Grade Setting and Alignment Control

Uses laser levels and string lines to maintain specified pipe grade during installation. Consistent grade ensures self-cleaning velocity and prevents solids accumulation.

Lesson 1 • P-Traps and Trap Configurations

Explains trap seal depth, trap arm length, and prohibited trap types under standard plumbing codes. Proper trap configuration blocks sewer gas without restricting flow.

Lesson 2 • Cleanout Installation and Access

Specifies cleanout locations, spacing, plug types, and access clearance requirements. Accessible cleanouts reduce service time and prevent unnecessary excavation.

Lesson 3 • Grease Interceptors and Solids Separators

Introduces sizing, installation, and maintenance intervals for grease interceptors and lint traps. These devices protect downstream sewer lines from blockage-causing waste.

Lesson 4 • Vent System Design and Installation

Covers individual, common, wet, and air admittance valve venting strategies. Adequate venting maintains atmospheric pressure in drain lines to prevent trap siphonage.

Lesson 1 • Chemical and Biological Treatments

Evaluates enzyme, bacterial, and chemical drain treatments for appropriate use cases and safety limits. These treatments supplement mechanical cleaning but do not replace it.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical Drain Cleaning Methods

Covers hand augers, electric snakes, and sectional machines for clearing grease, debris, and soft blockages. Correct cable and cutter selection prevents pipe damage.

Lesson 3 • Symptom Assessment and Triage

Translates customer complaints and observable symptoms into probable failure locations and causes. Systematic triage prevents unnecessary work and guides tool selection.

Lesson 4 • CCTV Pipe Inspection Techniques

Operates push-rod and crawler cameras to locate blockages, cracks, root intrusion, and joint defects. Camera findings direct repair method selection and cost estimation.

Lesson 1 • Pipe Bursting and Slip Lining

Explains static and pneumatic pipe bursting and slip lining for full pipe replacement without open trenching. Method selection depends on pipe diameter, material, and soil conditions.

Lesson 2 • Cured-in-Place Pipe Lining

Installs CIPP liners using inversion or pull-in methods with UV or steam curing to restore structural integrity. Lining eliminates excavation in most residential and commercial applications.

Lesson 3 • Point Repair and Grouting

Uses robotic cutters, patch liners, and chemical grout injection to seal isolated joint leaks and cracks. Point repairs are faster and less disruptive than full-length rehabilitation.

Lesson 4 • Open-Cut Pipe Repair Techniques

Covers excavation, pipe removal, replacement, and backfill for localized open-cut repairs. Open-cut remains the baseline method when trenchless access is not feasible.

Lesson 1 • Stormwater Runoff Fundamentals

Applies rational method and curve number calculations to estimate peak runoff from impervious surfaces. Accurate runoff estimates are the basis for all stormwater component sizing.

Lesson 2 • Inlets, Catch Basins, and Grates

Covers inlet types, grate selection, sump depth, and spacing criteria for surface water collection. Properly spaced inlets prevent ponding and pavement damage.

Lesson 3 • Detention and Retention Basins

Designs and inspects wet and dry detention basins for peak flow attenuation and water quality. Basin sizing must meet local discharge rate and volume requirements.

Lesson 4 • Erosion and Sediment Control

Installs silt fences, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances to prevent sediment discharge. Erosion controls are required during all earthwork and drainage installation.