Hi,
I recently acquired my own little smallholding of 5 acres & I'm currently trying initially to get the drains and ditches in good order.
I have a number of field drains which are really puzzling me. They're the perforated pipes which should carry water down to the ditch. As I understand it the pipes should be empty, covered over in gravel & run horizontally down the field.
I've found 3 coming up vertically in my field, 2 of which are blocked up with mud & little pebbles (presumably the gravel that should go around outside of the pipes).
You can see from the pic. They used to have little caps on them, but 2 have broken off.
![](http://Screenshot from 2024-02-13 20-12-31.png)
Does anyone know why they'd be set up like that, coming vertically then turning horizontally underground? It's baffling me, I cn't think of a benefit to it.
I can't get drain rods into them, even the unblocked one turns horizontal at such an angle I can't use a drain rod on it. The blocked ones go down to my elbow & then turn horizontal, but still clogged. I can't get much more out of them.
Any suggestions on how I can go about clearing them? I'm considering digging up around them so I can bend them horizontal & use drain rods.
The field drain outlets in my drainage ditch have been cleared out up to 9m (I'm getting another set of drain rods), but I don't think they're the outlets for the 3 vertical drains, as the angles are wrong. Who knows though, I'd expect them to run straight, maybe they don't.
I'm thinking of getting a CAT (Cable avoidance tool) scanner & generator to help locate where the drains run (& locate electrical cabling I know runs under the field). Anyone know if this is likely to be a good solution, or can you suggest anything else?
Please don't suggest dowsing. I know many people have anecdotal stories but I'd rather this thread not get bogged down in talk of that option.
Much thanks