This is how you guarantee long-term operation of drainage

Considerations for cleaning systems

To guarantee the predetermined use and sustainable preservation of a green space, an appropriate drainage system is sometimes indispensable. Both agricultural land and golf and sports grounds make use of it. At Delvano, they know that the mere presence of such a system is no long-term guarantee. The range of the manufacturer and distributor of agricultural machinery therefore includes several drainage cleaners from the Dutch manufacturer SS Engineering.

Text Elise Noyez    |    Image SS Engineering

A poorly functioning drainage system results in improper groundwater levels, leaving the soil too wet, keeping soil temperatures too low and curtailing plant growth opportunities. In the case of golf courses and sports fields, it can also make the grounds unplayable. Thorough maintenance of drains is therefore essential, although some points of attention apply.

One soil is not the other

Drainage cleaners are basically suitable for all drainage systems. However, the frequency with which drains need to be flushed is highly dependent on the soil type. As a rule of thumb, drainage systems in sandy soils should be flushed every two to three years, while in heavy clay soils, flushing every four to five years is sufficient.

The Professional drainage cleaner is an all-rounder, suitable for all types of drainage systems with lengths between 300 and 700 meters.

Drainage systems in ferruginous soils are best cleaned every year. In fact, given the current drought problems, the soil will quickly ferment and thus clog the perforations in the drainage pipes. SS Engineering developed a special nozzle for this purpose.

A matter of timing

To flush efficiently without damaging the soil, a flush should only be performed when the soil is wet. This prevents the flushing water from sinking through the system into the soil.

Also, care must be taken to never send too much water through the drain, so that only the tube itself and not the soil around it is washed out. With the Professional drain cleaner from SS Engineering and regular drains of 6.5 centimeters, a speed of 30 meters per minute is usually the minimum. Fortunately, using the integrated meter counter, this is easy to check and set.