Drainage Problems

Common problems, many of which are interconnected, can arise from new and existing drainage systems.

Typical problems during installation and subsequent causal issues with the drainage can include:

Installation problems, in particular:
• A poorly designed specification, especially one which doesn’t remove surface water at an appropriate rate for the surface requirements.
• Poor supervision of installation work, which can result in problems such as misaligned drainage pipes, contaminated infill material due to poor working practices, incorrect spacings, and more.
• Poor quality material contaminating suitable material, which is poor a quality control and workmanship issue.
• Poor working practices – e.g. drainage trenches not correctly dug, wrong material depths, contamination of drainage layers, soil compaction.
• Poor site management which can result in traffic problems, accidents, access by unauthorised people.
• Inexperienced workers, who will need training and paying appropriate rates, otherwise labour sought on the cheap will result in a poor standard of workmanship and a failing system when it is completed.
• Working in inappropriate weather and ground conditions will all contribute to soil compaction.

Post-installation (or where no artificial drainage has been introduced) causes of drainage problems can include:
• After a drainage system has been installed then inadequate aftercare, such as topping up drainage trenches if or when they settle, or of sand-gravel slits will be required to maintain effectiveness of the design and prevent soil-capping of slits.
• Inadequate irrigation. Ensuring appropriate grass coverage is maintained over sand-gravel slits for stability and to prevent erosion of drainage trench walls in particular.
• A collapsed drainage run.
• Blocked drainage pipes and/or outlets.
• Undertaking maintenance activities when soil conditions are unsuitable will lead to compaction and surface smearing of the soil; This will also destroy any soil structure, as with poor soil aggregation the water percolation through the soil will typically be minimal.
• Flooding can introduce silt and clay over a field, effectively producing a cap and sealing off the surface.
• Inappropriate soil texture. Soils with significant percentages of silt and clay present will typically be unsuitable for the production of a sports pitch/surface which intends to have minimal cancellations of games.

Symptoms of poor drainage can include:
• Regular waterlogging, or surface ponding.
• Slower bowling greens, golf greens, and football pitches; reduced ball rolling distance on football pitches.
• Increased likelihood of games being postponed or cancelled.
• Shallow root growth.
• Reduced drought resistance and increased chance of plants dying.
• Poor response to fertiliser applications.
• Leaching of soil nutrients, especially applied nitrogen.
• Grasses yellowing quicker in the summer months.
• Increased chance of wheel slip on machinery.
• Increased divoting.
• A more easily worn surface.
• Slower spring growth due to a wetter and harder to warm up soil profile.
• A more disease susceptible plant.
• Increased likelihood of some weeds, such as Toadrush.
• Reduced opportunity for carrying out maintenance activities in ideal conditions.
• Reduced carrying capacity.
• Lower quality of playing experience.