We are in the process of building a retaining wall (cast in place), and in one spot, we need to run a drainage pipe through the wall for drainage.
Now to the question of the conduit through the wall: what is best to use, plastic pipe or steel pipe?
My thought is as follows:
Plastic pipe:
Does not conduct cold from the open side through the wall, which should reduce the risk of frost damage to the wall. However, the plastic pipe is less durable, and if there is an ice blockage, the pipe will burst, affecting the wall.
Steel pipe:
Conducts ground warmth from the filled side through the pipe, which should reduce the risk of frost damage, but at the same time, it conducts cold, which should increase the risk of frost damage...
The steel pipe, however, can withstand an ice blockage and perhaps does not affect the wall at all.
But will the expansion and contraction from heat and cold affect the wall? The pipe is not fully embedded like reinforcing bars and therefore undergoes completely different temperature fluctuations.
Does anyone know what is best?