Exactly as its name implies, a land drain is designed to remove excess water from domestic gardens, agricultural fields, and other grassed areas. Installing a perforated land drain pipe allows water to be collected and channelled to a soakaway, watercourse, or surface water drain — preventing the ground from becoming waterlogged.
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The question is — how easy is it to install one?
A land drainage system can be installed almost anywhere, particularly in areas that saturate easily or perform poorly in percolation tests. Always contact a professional drainage company to conduct the test and check with your local authority for permissions — otherwise, you could face fines for unauthorised installations.
Once approved, you can begin installation. Here’s how to install a land drain in five simple steps:
Step 1 – Prepare the Trench
Excavate a trench approximately 250mm wide and around 900mm deep (depending on your soil type). Lay your perforated land drain pipe along the base — this will allow surface water to be collected efficiently.
Step 2 – Shape the Trench
Ensure the sides of the trench are vertical or slightly tapered towards the bottom. This provides stability and prevents the trench from collapsing during installation.
Step 3 – Add a Geotextile Membrane
Line the base of the trench with a geotextile membrane, leaving enough to cover the top later. This prevents soil from entering the drain and blocking perforations while keeping gravel in place.
Step 4 – Lay and Backfill the Drain
Lay the land drain on a bed of pea shingle and use the same material to backfill the trench up to around 150mm below the surface. This allows water to flow freely into the pipe while maintaining stability.
Step 5 – Cover and Finish
Fold the remaining geotextile fabric over the pea shingle to seal the system, then replace the soil and turf removed earlier. The area will soon look as good as new while being protected from waterlogging.
For more advice on how to install a land drainage system or to discuss your project with one of our experts, call 0121 351 3230 today.
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