Land Drainage Pipes

A land drain is sometimes called a land drainage pipe or coil. It is used to remove surface water from areas that are prone to waterlogging. These special drain pipes allow water to drain away from domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas at a slower rate to prevent the ground from flooding. The excess water is usually redirected to a local water source, such as a stream or river, or a storm drain or soakaway system. For more information about land drainage coils and their application, give us a call on 0121 351 3230. We’re always on hand to help and will gladly answer your questions and share our expertise.

Ranging from agriculture to construction, land drainage pipes can be used for a wide range of applications. Perforated land drains are often used to drain fields to improve soil quality. They can also assist with drainage in sports fields and domestic gardens. Without an efficient drainage system in place, standing water can put a lot of pressure on underground structures and retaining walls. However, land drain coils can alleviate excess surface water. To find out more about land drainage coils and where they can be used, get in touch with the team at Cotterill Civils today. Either call us on 0121 351 3230 or email enquiries@cotterillcivils.co.uk.

The process of installing land drainage pipes is relatively straightforward when you know how. To start, you need to lay a trench that is approximately 250mm wide. Although it usually depends on the soil makeup, 900mm is an ideal depth. The sides of the trench need to be vertical or tapered towards the bottom. Avoid installing the land drain pipe on a gradient of more than 1 in 100, as the water will flow too quickly and aggressively. After preparing the trench for the land drain, it should be lined with a Geotextile membrane. This will prevent soil particles from being washed into the drain and clogging the perforations in the pipe. When it comes to lowering the land drain into the trench, it needs to be laid on a bed of pea shingle. The same material should be used to backfill the trench up to 150mm from the surface. The remaining Geotextile membrane can be laid over the top of the pea shingle, before relaying the topsoil that was excavated at the beginning. If you’d like to know more about installing land drainage coils, don’t hesitate to talk to the team.

Although land drainage pipes are installed to prevent the build-up of excess surface water, it’s crucial that you maintain them properly to ensure their longevity. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to extend the life of your land drainage solutions. For example, checking the watercourse is free of any silt or debris will allow water to run freely – eliminating potential blockages. Another great way to assess how well your land drainage pipes are performing is to examine the outfalls. Keep an eye out for roots, branches, dead animals and other materials blocking the flow. If you spot any blockages, it’s worth contacting drainage contractors, as they can use jets, rods, cutters and excavation equipment to eradicate the problem. Wet spots on your land or plants not growing properly indicate that your land drainage may be damaged. Having a percolation test carried out by a professional will enable you to check the soil structure and make sure the soil conditions are favourable. For more tips, check out our blog ‘Top 5 tips for maintaining land drainage’. And if you have any questions, contact us.