how to inspect golf course drain lines

Conduct a visual inspection of the entire drain line (indoors and out) to make sure it is properly draining outdoors. Find the PVC cleanout tee (small vertical section of the pipe) and unscrew the cap. Insert a funnel and slowly pour a gallon of water down the drain.

Full Answer

How do I choose the right drainage system for my golf course?

The main factor determining the overall cost and effectiveness of a golf course drainage system will be the spacing of the lateral drains on the fairways. On clay soil five-metre spacing is fairly typical.

What causes drainage problems on a golf course?

The most common causes of drainage issues on golf courses are inadequate surface drainage, imper- meable soil conditions, side-hill seep- age, and high water tables. Identifying the causes of drainage problems can be challenging, but it is the key to a successful drainage project.

What is a drain inspection?

A drain inspection is a systematic process of evaluating drainage systems to ensure smooth wastewater transitions from pipeline to sewage systems. Performing a drain inspection aims to prevent drainage problems such as pipe cracks, corrosions, frost, and major clogs including tree roots, toilet paper buildup, and food waste.

Is in-house golf course drainage cost effective?

The installation of bunker drainage is one area where ‘in-house’ installation can be cost effective compared to using outside contractors though as with all drainage, it is essential that pipes be laid to correct falls. 7. Miscellaneous Once designed, a new golf course drainage plan can be implemented over several years to spread the cost.

How does golf course drainage work?

There are two basic ways an architect can get water to go where it needs to go: with the slopes of the land, or through manmade drainage systems. In a perfect world, golf courses would use only surface drainage, in which the land moves water off the playing surfaces and into streams and other basins.

How do you check for drainage?

Drainage Air Test The way we do it is by isolating the section of pipe that needs to be tested using plugs, and setting two different pressures for five minutes each. Any change in pressure over those five-minute time periods is measured and recorded.

How deep should drain lines be buried?

Maintaining a depth of 12 to 18 inches is best for drain pipes, but the depth of the pipe may vary in order to maintain a downward slope, which is critical for proper drain functioning.

What is a French drain on golf course?

French drains consist of a series of trenches containing perforated drain pipes encased in gravel. The pipes typically drain to an adjacent pond or catch basin. Even with French drains, some low-lying areas may not adequately drain, so it may be necessary to fill the area to eliminate drainage issues.

What are the 2 main types of drain testing?

Two types of drain test There are two basic tests; the Air Test and the Water Test. Usually, an air test is carried out to all pipework following installation, while a water test will only normally be required to verify a failed air test or to test manholes or inspection chambers.

What are the tests employed for testing of drains and pipes?

There are three tests that are commonly performed to test leakage of the pipes and are as follows: (i) Air Test - Generally used to test underground and vertical pipes. The escape of air from the leaky joint form bubbles that can be seen visually. (ii) Water Test - Most commonly used for underground house sewer pipes.

How do you find a drain pipe under concrete?

1:028:09SIMPLE WAY TO FIND A SEWER LINE UNDER CONCRETE SLABYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what it is is it puts a signal into the line or conduit you're trying to locate and then withMoreSo what it is is it puts a signal into the line or conduit you're trying to locate and then with this wand you're able to go along and detect it under the slab or underground.

Can sewer and water lines be in the same trench?

Water and sewer lines must be a minimum of ten feet apart; they are not to be laid in the same trench. When a potable water line crosses a sewer line, the requirement is to provide two feet or more of clearance.

Can a French drain be too deep?

Gas and water lines, electrical wires, and sewer pipes are some of the things that this digging may encounter. If the drain is dug below the footer, it will cause the home to settle and it's important not to dig too deep.

How do you drain a golf green?

2:035:21USGA Putting Green Construction Recommendations - DrainageYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBefore installing the drain lines use a laser or transit to ensure that the drainage trenches have aMoreBefore installing the drain lines use a laser or transit to ensure that the drainage trenches have a minimum slope of 0.5%. So that water will flow to the terminal point of the drainage.

How deep should a French drain be in Ohio?

About 8 inches to 2 feet deepFrench drain depth: About 8 inches to 2 feet deep should be sufficient for many water-diverting projects, though related systems, such as those built around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.

What is the importance of drainage in golf?

Drainage should be an important consideration at all golf courses and, especially for those situated on impermeable clay soil, a properly designed, correctly installed, accurately recorded, and well maintained drainage system can be the key to a successful golf club.

How deep should a fairway drain be?

Fairway drainage does not generally need to be deep, with 450mm being typical for plastic pipe laterals and 500mm minimum for 100mm carrier drains. The use of quality drainage aggregate above the laterals is vital: clean 6mm, or 4/10mm gravel is ideal and widely available.

Why is bunker drainage important?

Bunker drainage can sometimes suffer because some course designers fail to realise the difficulty of finding suitable outfall points for deep bunkers. The installation of bunker drainage is one area where ‘in-house’ installation can be cost effective compared to using outside contractors though as with all drainage, it is essential that pipes be laid to correct falls.

How many hectares are in an 18 hole golf course?

A typical 18-hole course may cover around fifty hectares and to properly understand actual or potential waterlogging problems it is necessary to appreciate how water moves onto, across, and off the entire course. Knowledge of surface contours is essential and a professional topographical survey will provide this data, and a range of other information to aid general management of the course. All existing watercourses (streams, ditches, ponds, main carrier pipes, etc.) should be plotted to enable an assessment of the existing arterial drainage system.

Why are there paths from tees on holes?

Pathways from tees on some holes can be considered to reduce the overall area where drainage is required.

Do golf courses in the UK have waterlogged greens?

Many UK courses have clay-based greens and tees which can be prone to severe waterlogging. Whilst some, like Wentworth recently, have resorted to a complete greens rebuilding programme, most clubs do not have the necessary finance available. Fortunately, good quality professionally installed greens drainage systems are available for around £6k per green which, whilst not matching the performance of a USGA green, will transform the playability of greens during winter.

Can irrigation pipes be installed without drainage?

Irrigation pipework and other underground services should not be installed without considering if existing drainage could be damaged as a result.

How deep should a football pitch drain be?

The most successful drainage measures undertaken on waterlogged football pitches has proved to be the incorporation of close spaced slit drains 50mm wide to a depth of 250mm at spacing of 1-2 metres. These slit drains cross over lateral piped drains at 5-15 metre spacing which convey surplus water to main collector drains and on to a preferred outfall. The slit drains comprise 150mm clean stone gravel 5-10mm covered to the surface with a selected coarse sand or grit. (Refer to Appendix 2 ). The materials were selected on the basis that at least 20% of the grit material should be of particles greater than one sixth of the size of the smallest 20% of the particles in the stone material below.

Why are there swales in golf?

In a comparative exercise, the landing area on a new golf course, prone to excessive surface waterlogging , was reshaped creating swales to lead accumulating surface water away from the playing area while still maintaining a pleasant undulating surface for golf. With the installation of the drains only in the swale inverts there was a considerable reduction in drainage installation. Total costs, which included the replacement of topsoil, soil preparation, seeding and sand dressing on either side of the drain lines, proved to be more economic and effective than installing a grid like system of close spaced drainage pipe lines.

What is the backfill material used in slit drains?

In the drains the backfill material comprised the stone and grit used in the slit drains. It was intended to cover the immediate area on either side of the drains with an approved topdressing sand to prevent contamination in the upper layers of the drains. This treatment was not immediately carried out and the accumulation of silt and organic matter debris in the drains did impair drainage initially though the surface displacement of water was significant.

What is a Drain Inspection?

A drain inspection is a systematic process of evaluating drainage systems to ensure smooth wastewater transitions from pipeline to sewage systems. Performing a drain inspection aims to prevent drainage problems such as pipe cracks, corrosions, frost, and major clogs including tree roots, toilet paper buildup, and food waste.

Why is it important to inspect drains?

Drain inspections are vital to help businesses prevent potential risks such as leaks, floods, and other public health and safety issues. Proper execution of drain inspections can: Increase and promote environmental safety.

What is a drainage inspection checklist?

A drainage inspection checklist is a tool used by trained engineers, licensed plumbers, or drainage inspectors to ensure drainage systems are in good working condition. It is an accompanying tool with a drain camera system to easily record the location of defects and damages such as drain line clogs and pipeline leaks.

Why is it important to maintain a drainage system?

Maintaining your drainage systems can save your business from severe damages caused by sullage, unfiltered chemicals, drain line leaks, and odor-inducing problems. Below are the major causes of drainage blockage that you can attend to mitigate the risks:

What causes a toilet drain to block?

Sanitary waste such as hair strands, tissues, and feminine hygiene products are the most common causes of toilet drain blockage. Unable to control the disposal of sanitary waste can cause your business fines and penalty under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

How to get rid of unused medicine in drain?

Install mesh screens over your drains to filter hair strands and other solid wastes. Install a water softener to prevent mineral buildup. Use a fat trap to dispose of waste oils and fats. Do not try to dispose of unused medicines through water drains, these can harm groundwater and be toxic to the environment.

When washing mops and other cleaning tools, what should you do?

When washing mops and other cleaning tools, rinse the dirt and mud off before you scrub it on the sink.

Why is my golf course not draining?

The most common causes of drainage issues on golf courses are inadequate surface drainage, imper- meable soil conditions, side-hill seep- age, and high water tables. Identifying the causes of drainage problems can be challenging, but it is the key to a successful drainage project.

Why do golf course drainage systems fail?

There are several reasons drainage systems fail. Poor design or improper installation can lead to drainage failures. The effectiveness of existing drains also can be compromised by lack of maintenance or accidental damage during construction projects. Furthermore, tree roots can clog drain lines, rendering them useless. Sometimes existing drainage can be overwhelmed by increases in storm- water flow. Entire drainage systems can be compromised by changes that occur outside the golf course property. These can be the most complex and difficult problems to contend with, especially when the solutions require cooperation from adjacent property owners or government entities. Chal- lenging or not, drainage issues should not be ignored. Conditions will only get worse if drainage issues are not resolved.

How to stop side hill seepage?

Seepage water can be especially problematic during spring snow melt or extended periods of wet weather. Subsurface drains are an effective way to intercept side-hill seepage. A subsurface drain should be installed across the hillside immediately above the upper limit of where the side-hill seepage reaches the surface . The drainage trench must be deep enough to reach the impermeable layer and usually is backfilled to the surface with coarse sand. Occasionally, gravel also is placed against the trench wall.

How do I dig a drain line?

Drainpipes that are 4 inches in diameter and larger require wider and deeper trenches that are usually made with a mini-excavator or small backhoe. Start digging drainage trenches at the discharge point and work uphill to the end of the line, ensuring there is sufficient slope within the drain line for water to reach the discharge point. Drainage trenches should be dug wide enough to provide a 1- to 2.5-inch gap on both sides of the pipe to allow backfill material to surround the pipe and protect it from crushing. However, trenches should not be overly wide to avoid unnecessary cost and disruption. Trenches for 4- and 6-inch drain lines should be dug with a standard 12-inch wide bucket. The slope of a drain line will depend on the elevation difference between the highest point of the drain line and the outlet. Ideally, drain lines should have a minimum slope of 1 percent — i.e., fall 1 vertical foot for every 100 feet of horizontal run. Though not ideal, drain lines can function with slopes as low as 0.1 percent — i.e., fall 1 vertical foot for every 1,000 feet of horizontal run, but they require precise installation with lasers and an experienced crew. The slope of each drainage trench

Why is puddling bad for golf?

The combination of impermeable soils and runoff from a neighboring property can leave areas too wet for mowing or golf during wet weather . Standing water above a sunken drain line is a good indication that the pipe has failed and needs to be replaced.

What is a master plan for golf course drainage?

A master plan is comprehensive and offers systematic solutions to address drainage issues while identifying, prioritizing, and guiding the work that needs to be done. Furthermore, a master plan will provide specifications for the drainage work and detailed costs for materials and installation. In-house staff can often implement parts of a drainage master plan, but some areas may require the help of an experienced contractor. The article Planning a Golf Course Drainage Project provides greater detail on developing master plans for drainage projects.

What is surface drainage?

As the name implies, surface drainage involves the flow of water over a sur- face, including playing surfaces, cart paths, roadways, and the swales and open ditches that are used to carry water through a golf course. Surface drainage is a critical component of

How are fairways drained?

Fairways are usually drained by a system of land drainage pipes. The herringbone layout is no longer fashionable as it causes major upheaval down the centre of the fairway where the lateral drains connect with the main drain. The majority of piped systems today would be installed with the main drain to the side of the fairway with laterals spaced at 5, 7, or 10 metres apart running across the fairway. Laser guided equipment would ensure an even fall on these pipes.

What is a lightening drain?

Lightening Drain™ is very similar to System 25™ except the trenches are dug 35mm wide and a 25mm perforated land drainage pipe is installed prior to backfilling with Lytag.

How wide is a trench?

Also, the larger the pipe, the wider the trench, and hence larger quantities of aggregate are required to backfill the trenches. Narrower trenches also heal quicker. Main drains would typically be 100mm in 118mm ,trench, laterals being 60mm in a 78mm trench or 80mm in a 97mm trench.

How deep is a sand slit?

This consists of 50mm wide gravel / sand filled trenches spaced one to two metres apart . They are typically 250mm deep, backfilled with 150mm of gravel, and topped off with 100mm of coarse sand. These are best installed in dry conditions.

What is the primary system of drainage?

The network of land drainage pipes is often referred to as the primary system. Depending on a number of factors a secondary system may be superimposed over them to speed up the flow of excess soil water to the piped drains. There are four techniques offered by Shelton.

What determines the cost of a pipe installation?

Pipe spacing will determine the cost of the installation hence it needs to be accurately calculated. But pipe sizes and consequently trench width are major cost considerations also. Big diameter pipes do not necessarily give the best results. The smaller the pipe, the faster the flow, which helps keep them running clear.

What is the best gravel to use for drainage?

A crushed 8-10mm gravel may be inexpensive but a product such as Lytag – pulverised fuel ash – could drain up to ten times faster and carries no Government Aggregate Tax. The advantages of using Lytag are many, including faster drainage, the ability to retain water in dry conditions which reduces the striping that can occur when gravel is used. It is half the weight of gravel per volume, which reduces the weight of material being carted across the site. It also shatters on contact with mowers, where gravel will not. The latter could be the more cost-effective material to use; it will depend on your circumstances.

Importance

• A primary drainage system consists of a series of ‘lateral’ drains installed across the area in question, connecting to a ‘main’ carrier pipe that channels the water collected by the system to an outfall. So far, so simple. The key determining factors in the effectiveness of primary drainage s…

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Topographical Survey

Arterial Drainage Improvements

Fairway Drainage

Greens & Tees

Bunkers

Miscellaneous

• Each individual hole can then be assessed in terms of drainage requirements. The main factor determining the overall cost and effectiveness of a golf course drainage system will be the spacing of the lateral drains on the fairways. On clay soil five-metre spacing is fairly typical. The most commonly installed lateral drains are 60mm or 80mm perfora...

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