If you own farmland near Minneapolis or St. Paul, chances are you also own an agricultural drain that’s designed to help keep your crops and property free of standing water and soggy soil. Unfortunately, though, that drain (or drains if you have multiple) can easily become clogged by a number of things. When that happens, both your cash crops and your land could be at risk for water-related damage.
At Drain Blaster Bill’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning, we know how crucial routine ag drain cleaning is for the operation of your business. If you’re not totally certain how your agricultural drains work or why they need regular, full-service cleaning, continue reading to learn the most important things you should know.
What Are Agricultural Drains For?
Ag drains are designed to provide efficient, artificial subsurface drainage for commercial properties, particularly farms, that have inadequate natural drainage. These drainage systems feature pipes that are buried three to six feet below the surface of the ground.
Those pipes collect and carry water away from areas of the property that have a tendency to remain wet and soggy for extended periods of time. By removing water from portions of the property that regularly stay too wet, these drains help property owners keep their soil and crops in good condition.
How Do Agricultural Drains Work?
Most modern agricultural drains feature perforated polyethylene tubing situated in isolated, wet areas of a property or installed as a strategically designed system that drains an entire field.
The perforations in the tubing allow subsurface water to trickle into the underground tubes, where it will flow away from the wet area and drain into a stream or ditch. Some agricultural drainage systems also feature surface-level intakes in addition to the buried tubing. These inlets are designed to draw in and remove excess surface water from depressed areas of the property.
Benefits of Agricultural Drainage
Artificial subsurface drainage systems offer property owners several benefits, including:
● Keeping the water table below plants’ root zones, which helps protect crops’ root systems
● Increasing soil aeration, which helps keep crops’ root systems healthy
● Encouraging more rapid soil drying and warming in spring, which can help farm owners get their crops planted earlier and improve other field operations
● Reducing soil compaction caused by excess subsurface moisture
● Improving the soil environment, which encourages early crop emergence and better overall growth
● Reducing the risk of crop stress caused by excessive or ill-timed rainfall
● Improving soil nutrient content
What Can Cause a Clogged Agricultural Drain?
Given the underground placement of an agricultural drain or drain system, many things can clog the subsurface tubing. Dirt, sand, silt, tiny pebbles — just about any type of sediment that can enter the tubing can cause a blockage if that sediment is allowed to accumulate long enough. Even plant roots can enter the perforations in an underground drainage pipe and cause problems with proper water flow.
That said, when an ag drain is properly installed — meaning it features the proper materials and is strategically placed — the drain is much less likely to develop blockages that necessitate emergency drain cleaning.
It’s important to note, though, that even when an agricultural drain is properly installed, it should be cleaned regularly as a proactive measure. Although properly installed drains are less likely to develop damaging clogs, routine cleaning will lower the risk of blockages even further.
How Often Should Ag Drain Owners Schedule Commercial Drain Cleaning?
That really depends on the property, the drain’s propensity for developing clogs, and where the drain is located.
Preventative ag drain cleaning is typically recommended during times of the year when run-off has not yet occurred, so fall, winter, and spring are suitable times to schedule service. However, agricultural drains can realistically be cleaned at any time of year and should be serviced whenever the property owner notices a budding drainage problem.
At Drain Blaster Bill, we can perform a drain camera inspection to quickly locate any issues within your ag drain(s) and assess their severity. We use high-powered water-jetting equipment to thoroughly clear sediment and other debris from within the drains, so efficient subsurface water removal can resume as quickly as possible.
Need Outdoor Drain Cleaning Near the Twin Cities? Get a Free Estimate!
If you have an agricultural drainage system on your Twin Cities property, routine drain cleaning is essential to maintain a properly functioning drain. At Drain Blaster Bill’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning, we specialize in agricultural drain cleaning for property owners in and around the Twin Cities area and offer same-day service for your convenience.
To get started or learn more about our services, feel free to give us a call at 763-913-8719 or request a free estimate online, and we’ll be in touch with additional information.