Do-it-yourself site drainage clay soils can be produced. This is necessary for the reason that in areas where clay soil predominates, water often lingers, unable to escape into the soil. Due to this circumstance, they begin to feel bad, which leads to the fact that they do not develop properly. In order to solve this problem, it is definitely worthwhile to arrange drainage for the area. You can carry out such work correctly if you read the recommendations below.
Features of the territory with a predominance of clay soil
Do-it-yourself site drainage is usually necessary because such areas are characterized by excessive stagnation of water. At the same time, the roots of plants are constantly exposed to moisture, and air does not flow there in the required volume. This sooner or later becomes the cause of oxygen starvation, while cultivated plants They can no longer develop normally and eventually die. This phenomenon especially concerns lawns, which suffer not only from excess moisture, but also because the turf is quite dense, because it is not loosened even from time to time and is not plowed. This leads to the fact that the dense layer located on top prevents the plants from being fully saturated with air.
Do-it-yourself site drainage on clay soils should be arranged before you plant a lawn or various crops. You will then be able to use the site immediately after the winter season comes to an end, which is accompanied by the melting of the snow cover.
What site parameters need to be taken into account when designing?
Before a drainage system is installed, as a rule, calculations are made and a design for the future system is drawn up. However, if you have to work with a territory whose area is not too large, then it is not at all necessary to make calculations during design. In this case, the main condition is the need to take into account the main parameters of the system for draining water from the territory. Among them, it is necessary to highlight all the data related to drainage, namely: slope, depth, location according to the plan, spacing between rows, installation of inspection wells, as well as the wellhead. Territory suburban area not in all cases flat, for this reason, if there is even a slight slope of the soil surface, then it should definitely be used.
Application of the terrain features of the territory
Do-it-yourself site drainage on clay soils must be arranged taking into account the slope of the soil surface. If we compare an inclined and flat area, it should be noted that the first one will be somewhat easier to work with. Moreover, in in this case when arranging the drainage system, labor costs will be reduced many times. In this case, it is necessary to carry out work in such a way that closed and open drainages are successfully combined.
In the latter case, during the work process, ditches are used that have an open top. Such a system is also called surface. It will be most effective for draining excess water during the warm period of the year; it is at this time that a large amount of precipitation falls, which causes the level to rise. This type of drainage cannot be avoided without winter period. In a number of latitudes, thaws are quite frequent in winter, which are accompanied by frozen soil that is not able to absorb water, and there is a need to drain liquid from the soil surface. In the cases described, it is absolutely necessary to arrange the drainage of the site with your own hands; how to do this should certainly interest you.
Description of open and closed types of drainage
If you decide to install the system open type, then you need to apply special tiles, it has a slight slope, which will effectively remove excess moisture. Through such a system, liquid from the roofs of houses and asphalt areas will flow into a closed drainage system, which acts as a leader. Closed drainage will work as follows: the liquid that comes from the surface of the soil will flow through underground communications, which have a shape and appearance resemble pipes. Before starting work, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of clay soil, which has significant weight and high density. This indicates the need to loosen it before starting work. During the installation of drains, you will need to bypass areas that are intended for vehicles.
Closed installation
If you decide to arrange the drainage of the site with your own hands, you should definitely know how to do this. Before starting work, it is imperative to determine what type of water intake will be used in this system. Its role can be played, for example, by a natural reservoir; it is often used alternative solution, which involves discharging water into an artificially constructed ditch. It must be located near the road. But it may also happen that there are none, and the problem can be solved in several ways, each of them can be implemented independently. There are several options for arranging the outflow of fluid. You can arrange a pond on your own, making it in the form of a pond. Don't be afraid that it will end up resembling a wetland. small size. In addition, you can dig a ditch yourself. It must be made deep and located outside the borders own plot. If you decide to use the latter option, you must first agree on it with your neighbors.
Alternative drainage option
If you intend to do the drainage of the area with your own hands, you should definitely know how to make the system, otherwise it will not cope with its functions, the plants in the area will die, and the work will have to be done again. The third option for organizing water flow involves digging oversized wells. Their walls must be made vertical, and after filling, the water must be pumped out using a pump. Such manipulations will have to be performed from time to time. For units, the pumping mode can be made automatic.
Carrying out excavation work
Before draining garden plot with your own hands, you first have to dig trenches. They must be located along the perimeter of the suburban area. In this case, the trenches will have to be given such a depth and width that they should not be more than the indicators equal to 1.2 and 0.4 m. After the ditches are prepared, it is necessary to lay pipes in them that are intended to collect water. These ditches, by the way, are called main ditches. Pre-installed pipes must reach the water intake. In order to fill the main channels, it is preferable to use pipes with a diameter of 110 mm. The depth of the main pipelines, when compared with the collecting branches of the system, should be somewhat greater. Must be carried out according to the rules of work, when a site is being drained with its own hands, the advice and manual must be read before starting work. This is the only way to achieve the desired result.
Pipe laying
In your work, it is imperative to follow the rules that are prescribed in the regulatory and technical literature. They regulate the need to move away from the fence drainage pipes wires So, the step between the pipeline and the fence should be 0.5 m or more. It is necessary to take into account that the pipeline should also be removed from the blind area main building, retreating 1 m from it during installation. The liquid will initially begin to collect in the drainage trenches, only then will it flow into the main channels. A whole network of trenches must be created on the territory, the depth and width of which must be 1.2 and 0.35 m, respectively.
The drainage of the area must have a certain slope; a master can easily make the diagram and device with his own hands. Thus, the trench network must be equipped with a slope of 5 cm per meter. The channels should not have long length. If you apply this rule, the drainage system will work properly. It is not recommended to make a less impressive slope, this is due to the fact that the speed of fluid flow will not be as intense as necessary, this will ultimately cause stagnation in a certain area. If you have to work in a clayey area, then the drains should be located at a distance of 10 m from each other.
Checking the system for functionality
On clay soil, after trenches are dug and pipes are laid in them, it does not imply immediate closure of the elements. First you need to check the drainage for functionality and effectiveness.
The trench network must remain open for some time. To be tested as the most good option heavy precipitation occurs. If such an opportunity does not present itself for a long time, then it is simply necessary to let water from the irrigation sludge into the trenches. In this case, you should monitor how quickly the water flow will pass through the system. Correct functioning is indicated by the absence of stagnation in all areas, this is the only way to check the drainage of the area with your own hands, the technology and rules must be known to the master, only then everything will work without stagnation. If there is a need, then at this stage it is necessary to adjust certain parameters that will increase the flow rate.
Solving system functionality problems
If, when checking the system, it was discovered that it is not working efficiently enough, then pipes of a larger diameter can be installed; in addition, the slope can be increased. In some cases, craftsmen create a system that is equipped with a denser network. You can close the system if the drainage of the site is working correctly, features, how to drain the soil - all this is important to find out before the start of work.
The final stage
The system can be closed with geotextiles that can allow water to pass through. Instead, it is permissible to use volumetric filters that perform well when draining clay soils. Most practical for drainage work plastic pipes with a diameter of 63 mm, the surface of which must be corrugated. The pipes must be connected using tees.
Cost of drainage arrangement
If you decide to drain the site yourself on clay soils, the price of professional installation should certainly interest you. This may help you decide whether to carry out the work yourself or entrust the matter to professionals. So, if you decide to turn to specialists, then the cost linear meter surface drainage will cost 1,300 rubles. Whereas the same amount of work, but on deep drainage, will cost 2,400 rubles.
Stormwater and melt water cause many problems for owners of areas with dense and heavy clay soils. Capital and temporary structures are destroyed by moisture, garden trees, lawn grass, cultivated plants experience discomfort. Properly constructed drainage in an area with clay soil will become the right decision and protection from troubles. If this is not done, then flooded foundations will freeze and collapse when cold weather sets in. The root system of green spaces receives little oxygen necessary for growth, as a result the plants wither and disappear. Drainage of a site on clay soils can be done with your own hands, following the diagram.
Clay soil problems
Clay soil - big enemy foundation of the house and outbuildings, trees and shrubs. The lack of a slope for natural water drainage makes it difficult to carry out agricultural seasonal work and reduces living comfort. Sticky mud makes it impossible to walk around the area or do routine activities. When it rains, the lawn becomes like a swamp, and after it dries upper layer becomes covered with a crust that is difficult to break even gardening tools. On clayey area Vegetables in the beds do not ripen well, and the waterproofing of the foundation gradually deteriorates.
You can determine the level of soil permeability yourself. To do this, dig a hole 0.5 m deep and fill it with water. In an area with good drainage, within a day all the moisture will be absorbed into the ground. If water remains even in small quantities, then a drainage system is necessary. Drainage in a clay area will be an excellent way to remove water. The owners will be able to appreciate its benefits when the soil gradually dries out, and the harvest of the garden and vegetable garden will delight in abundance.
Types of drainage
In areas with clay soil, several types of drainage systems are allowed:
- superficial;
- deep;
- reservoir
Surface drainage is suitable for areas with a slight natural slope. Shallow channels are laid along the surface of the soil. On clay soils, drainage is organized around the perimeter of recreation areas, lawns, buildings, and along paths. Water moves through plastic channels by gravity and is collected in a certain place in a special well. It can be used for watering, cleaning, or taken outside the site.
Do-it-yourself deep drainage of a site on clay soils can be removed if necessary. significant amount water. It flows through pipelines laid underground. The system includes one or more channels, the depth of which is 0.5 m wide and 1.2 m deep. Drainage pipes lead to a water collector - a well. On large areas locate the main main channels and additional side lines for maximum coverage of areas with stagnant water.
Reservoir drainage is a type of deep drainage, since its parts are placed on great depth. The canal system is designed to drain water that constantly approaches the foundation of the building. Pipe installation is carried out at the lowest point of the foundation. Water leaves through drainage pipes located around the perimeter.
Drainage scheme and device
The drainage scheme for a site on clay soils is determined taking into account the area and amount of moisture, including high groundwater, snow, and precipitation. An inexpensive option for the device is considered surface drainage, but requiring financial investment and implementation construction work- buried. Combining the two systems in clay areas will increase the quality and time of soil drainage. A site drainage diagram and engineering calculations are drawn up to carry out work on large territory. Arranging drainage for small areas does not require drawing up a plan, but it is important to take into account landscape features.
The canal system consists of a central drainage system and additional side branches. The distance between auxiliary routes is at least 10 meters; they enter the main highway at an acute angle. The diameter of the central pipe is 100 mm, additional 500-650 mm. Water is collected in a well with drain pump, into a pond, reservoir, canals along the road.
The question of how to make drainage in a clay area is asked by the owners of their own houses and cottages. Work begins with excavation of the soil; a natural slope is arranged on a flat landscape. The depth of the channels ranges from 0.4 to 1.2 meters. Sand 15 cm thick is placed at the bottom of the side and main ditches, compacted, and crushed stone or expanded clay is poured on top.
Perforated plastic pipes wrapped in geotextile fabric are laid in the finished trenches. Crosses and tees are used for connections. The pipes are covered on top with crushed stone, a layer of sand, and excavated soil; the thickness of the layer is at least 15 cm. Water flows into a concrete or plastic well by gravity, and a drainage pump is used to remove excess from the sump.
For supporting efficient work The drainage system requires periodic inspection and cleaning of wells. With the help of manual cleaning, order is restored to open drainage systems. Full-scale cleaning is carried out by specialists using cleaning tools and pneumatic units.
Water is the source of life and comfort. But sometimes it turns into a natural disaster, bringing catastrophic consequences. That's why when arranging land plot for the construction of a house it is necessary to take care of reliable system drainage. After all, flooding with groundwater and melt water is a real tragedy for any home owner. Yes, and rain and snow can contribute to waterlogging of the ground and thereby create a lot of problems for the owners of private housing related to their safety and comfort.
Areas with a clay structure especially suffer from excess moisture. And the only salvation for them is the installation of a full-fledged drainage system, which, fortunately, can be easily done with your own hands.
When starting to create a drainage system with your own hands, there is no need to rush to buy materials and dig trenches. Initially, you need to determine the type of soil and make hydrodynamic calculations. It is the composition of the soil that will determine future design drainage systems. For example, everyone knows that building a house on black earth or sandy soil is much easier, since this type Soil absorbs and removes moisture very quickly. But owners of plots with clay soil will have to make a lot of effort to drain it. Clay can retain moisture for a very long time, and this property poses a great danger both to all buildings located in a given area and to the plants growing around it.
Wet clay can cause not only discomfort to the inhabitants of a given area, but also cause significant damage to all structures and outbuildings. Wet clay soil is especially dangerous in winter. Freezing to the very depths, it can destroy the foundation of a house, destroy garden trees and even disrupt the water supply system. And then puddles, sticky dirt and slush will seem like a minor nuisance compared to more serious problems.
Plants on the site will also suffer from clay soil. During prolonged rains, such soil immediately turns into a swamp. And after drying, it becomes hard and cannot be loosened. A continuous crust forms on its surface, which completely disrupts air exchange in the soil. As a result, all trees, flowers and other plants, not receiving enough oxygen, stop growing and begin to die.
How to find out your soil type yourself
As a rule, not all owners of land plots are soil scientists. And when starting to build a house with your own hands, you can hardly quickly find the right specialist, especially in remote areas. Also, the cost of such a service is not always adequate. You can check the soil type yourself, especially since this procedure does not require special knowledge or complex equipment. You just need to dig a hole half a meter deep with your own hands and pour water into it. If the soil absorbs moisture well, the water should drain within a day. And if the pit is not empty even in two days, then this means that the soil here is clayey. Therefore, drainage of this area is mandatory.
Do-it-yourself site drainage
In order to properly drain a site on clay soils, you must first determine future view drainage systems. The design of such a system will depend on the following factors:
- the size of the area of the drained area;
- relief features: the presence of lowlands and hills;
- average monthly precipitation in the area;
- proximity to a natural body of water;
- amount of soil and melt water;
- financial opportunities.
Depending on which factor will be predominant and selected optimal system drainage. It can be done in two ways: deep and superficial.
Which drainage method is best for clay soils?
If the area is sloped and there is practically no groundwater, then you can create 
surface drainage. It comes in two types: linear and point. In the first case, shallow trenches are created, through which water will subsequently flow into collection trays. They, in turn, are inclined towards the main water intake or well storm sewer. This entire structure is covered with special grilles for safety and aesthetics. The spot drying function is performed by a system consisting of drainpipes, from where water flows into catch basins and storm water inlets connected to the general drainage system.
The second method is more complex and expensive, but you can also do it yourself. Trenches up to 1 meter deep and up to 0.5 meters wide are dug on the site. This system works much more efficiently than drainage created by surface drainage. Dug trenches surround the entire site and the house along the entire perimeter. Geotextiles are laid at the bottom of such ditches, and perforated drainage pipes are installed on top of them, which are then filled with crushed stone.
The created structure is covered with an overlap of protruding geotextiles, the ends of which are firmly and securely fastened. When finished, all this is covered with earth and leveled.
Combined drainage on clay soil
Given the complex structure of clay soils, experts recommend using two drainage methods simultaneously: deep and surface. Such a system will work much better, since surface drainage will quickly remove melt water and precipitation from the site, thereby preventing them from penetrating into the ground. Well, the deep system will fight groundwater, directing it through pipes to a designated location.
Deep drainage of a site on clay soils cannot be created in a place where a car will drive and park. The soil covering the trench is quickly compacted. This fact will lead to deformation of the drainage pipes, making them completely useless.
Drainage system design stage
Do-it-yourself site drainage on clay soils should begin with design. But if the area of the territory is not very large, then it is quite possible to do without complex technical calculations. The process of creating a drainage scheme consists of several stages: 
- first, it is necessary to make a plan of the site on an acceptable scale, where all outbuildings, roads and trees should be marked;
- on the plan it is necessary to mark all the highest and lowest points of the relief;
- now you can draw on the diagram the lines along which future drainage trenches will go;
- it is necessary to highlight the main drainage system, which originates at the highest point and ends at the lowest;
- it is also necessary to design all additional branches coming from the main water pipeline;
When drawing up a project, you should definitely take into account important technical points. So, for example, on clay soil the distance between drainage trenches should be neither less nor more than 10 meters. When drawing up a plan, you must also take into account that the diameter of the main water conduit will be the largest, and the diameter of the additional main pipes will be almost two times smaller.
When drawing up a project, it is very important to immediately determine where the excess water will be discharged? There are several ways to solve this problem. This could be an ordinary ditch next to the road, leading into the nearest body of water. Can also be done on a site in style landscape design decorative lake or swamp. It can also be a regular underground water intake, but here you can’t do without an electric pump.
A well-designed and high-quality do-it-yourself drainage system will last for a long time without additional repairs and improvements. But most importantly, it will ensure optimal drainage of clay soil and relieve the home owner from unnecessary hassle, spending and worries.
The work of making this type of drainage is quite labor-intensive, because it is necessary to select a large amount of soil and then fill it with crushed stone and sand.
To properly make drainage around the house, you should start making it with markings. To do this, the perimeter is measured and a rope or construction lace is stretched along its edges. After that you can start to soil sampling. Since it is insulated slab foundation is a shallowly buried structure, the depth of soil sampling should not exceed 0.5 meters. As a rule, only the fertile layer of soil is removed. Further, to the bottom of the pit geotextiles are laid and wraps around its edges. After this, backfilling and compaction begin. sand cushion. Sand must be compacted using a mechanical vibrator. After a layer of sand, the pit is filled in, leveled and compacted. crushed stone.
Simultaneously with the laying of crushed stone, along the perimeter of the pit is laid drainage pipe in compliance with the required slope. At the corners of the future foundation are installed inspection wells necessary for system maintenance. The slope of the drainage pipe must be at least two degrees.
The result should be that the drainage pipe is inside the crushed stone layer. If necessary, additional pipes can be laid in several more places, this will enhance the protection of the foundation from moisture.
A receiving well is installed at the outlet of the drainage system pipes. At this point, work with the drainage system is completed and you can begin further work for the construction of the foundation.
Main mistakes when making drainage
In order to properly drain the foundation, you need to know the main mistakes made when installing it.
The most common mistake when constructing a drainage system, this combining it with gutters coming from the roof of the building. This cannot be done for the simple reason that autumn period, with a large amount of precipitation, the drainage system may not cope with drainage large quantity water and start working in reverse mode.
This will certainly affect the soil moisture and it will turn out that all work on drainage and drainage of the site will be in vain.
Second common problem, This failure to comply with the required drainage slope. As a result, the system constantly becomes clogged and cannot function normally.Third, this use of drainage pipes without additional filter winding, which also affects the timing of system clogging.
Conclusion
Self-manufacturing of a drainage system is beneficial only in the case of deep ring drainage, manufactured along the outer perimeter of an already finished one, since work on its implementation does not require the use of special equipment.
In case of reservoir drainage all work is much more complex and requires the master to have certain skills, as well as the availability special tools, such as a level and a vibrator.
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Stormwater and meltwater during the off-season can cause many problems for owners of plots with clay soil. Fruit bushes and trees, greenhouse plantings on such soil are characterized by slow growth and weak yields. During the spring thaw, houses are destroyed by excessive moisture. The drainage system, consisting of drains and trenches, effectively solves the problems of water disposal. On preparatory stage determine placement locations drainage ditches, taking into account the natural slope of the landscape. This allows excess water to be transported to a well or reservoir located in the immediate vicinity.
Soil composition and type
After purchasing a plot of land, laboratory tests should be ordered to determine the type of soil. Chernozem or sandy soil simplifies the process of building a house, planting fruit and berry crops, growing a vegetable garden, installing greenhouses. The clayey area is more complex and labor-intensive in terms of setting up economic and residential facilities, harvesting vegetables and fruits.
The main disadvantage of clay soil is the retention of water on the surface after rain or melting snow. Lawn grass as a result of prolonged downpours, due to excess water, it will grow weakly, dry out, root system rot. Another problem for owners of such plots is high groundwater levels. Constantly wet clay will prevent the ripening of crops in the beds, and will also cause damage to the waterproofing layer of the foundation of the house. In winter, wet soil can freeze deeply, which leads to the death of garden fruit and berry plantings, deformation and crumbling of the foundation.
Installation of drainage in a clay area
An excellent option for draining water from clay areas is Softrock drainage. You can install the system yourself or order turnkey work. Within a year, the land will dry out completely, and the owners of dacha or private property will remove big harvests berries, vegetables, fruits. When installing a drainage system, the main points should be taken into account:
- amount of moisture: frequency and intensity of precipitation, presence of groundwater and melt water;
- size of the land plot;
- available size financial investments.
Inexpensive systems include surface drainage; buried drainage is considered more costly in financial and time terms. Combining the two options will allow you to drain clay areas as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Surface water removal occurs using open ditches insignificant depth. Buried drainage consists of deep trenches with perforated plastic pipes laid in them, wrapped in geotextile. The design resembles layered cake: sand is poured into the trench, a pipe is placed on top, then geofabric, everything is covered with a layer of crushed stone and sand. On final stage The soil previously removed from the pit is laid on top of the structure. The bottom of the drainage trench on clay soil should be thoroughly loosened immediately before starting work. This manipulation is aimed at increasing the quality of drainage, since the speed of clay compaction slows down significantly.
Execution of work
Installation of a drainage system begins with drawing up a drainage diagram for a site on clay soils. After completing the markings, they begin to dig granules. Their depth should not be below the zero level of the foundation, and the freezing point of the soil, individual for each region, is taken into account. On an area with a flat landscape, a slope of side and central ditches is constructed.
A sand cushion is placed at the bottom of the ditch, compacted, and covered with expanded clay or small crushed stone on top. Next stage- pipe laying. The best option— Softrock drainage, combining pipes, geotextiles, crushed stone. From above, the entire structure is covered with soil in the form of a mound; after shrinkage, the surface will become completely flat. If there is no reservoir in the vicinity of the site, reinforced concrete or plastic wells. The water collected in them is available for use for household needs and crop watering.
Attention to detail
When deciding how to make drainage in a clay area, you should carefully consider the main points. The role of an additional filter is performed by geofabric, which prevents large particles from entering directly into the drainage system. For clay soils you can refuse to use it.
The absence of an angle of inclination on the drainage main should not be allowed. This omission will lead to siltation and water collection in one place. The optimal slope is 1-7 centimeters per 1.0 meter of drainage pipes.
An important point is the thickness of the backfill layer with sand, soil, and small crushed stone. This indicator should be 15 centimeters or more. The optimal trench depth for placing the main pipeline varies between 0.4 - 1.2 meters. Deviations upward or downward make the entire structure ineffective.