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Eastern Ontario | Dug up some 6" main field tile (plastic) at its outlet today thinking there was a damaged section or a blockage. Working with a 6-8 foot head. Should be water gushing out but only trickle. Dug up the main tile back the length of three 4" tile runs (50' apart) and rammed a 1.5" plastic water pipe through the tile. Lots of fine roots came out and it did improve flow but not to our satisfaction. No trees around at all, just legumes (alfalfa) and grasses. This is in clay soil.
We are know thinking of digging up and replacing the 6" line. Don't like the idea very much as it is going to be a real cold sloppy job. It will take us several days as well as the line serves a 100 acre catchment area. Has anyone ever had to deal with this problem before? Is there an easier way to clear the root mass from the tile? Is there some way to keep roots from causing this problem in the future? My father was thinking of chlorine pucks at the top of the 6" tile may kill and keep roots out for a time. Any and all insights are appreciated.
By the way, we still have about 3" of punky frost under the thick layer of old hay crop residue from last year. Couldn't believe it! | |
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Field tiles plugged with roots
