Message Board - Football: Verti Drain
10 Nov 2006 by software
We are looking into verti draining our pitch and was wondering when you would recommend doing this. Is now a bad time?
Also, what type and how much would money would you budget for sand for the job?
any advice would be appreciated
11 Nov 2006 by chrismitchell
Best done when the ground is firm. You get a much better shatter then. If the ground is too plastic all that will happen is you will have a load of holes that will fill up with water. NEVER apply top dressing or apply sand into verti drain holes, it stops the ground settling back.
Chris
You will never see a statue in honour of a committee.
11 Nov 2006 by Barry Pace
Morning Chris, how are you..., hi software,
Beg to differ slightly... on Football, Rugby etc it is regularly done on renovations to either apply sand immedeately before or after and then to brush sand into holes or in behind Earthquakes etc to try to help improve surface drainage, invariably you dont get too much in as most sand will be worked into sward and surface. Least this is how we do it same as most contractors, personally think that on most soils anything that helps keep surface/subsurface connection is beneficial., but i agree that this not always so on Golf surfaces.
What is more important is ensuring that the timing and set up of the vertidrain is creating lift and cracking and that it is not acting like a fork in butter creating small pots for water to sit. Having a look at the soil will show, there is nothing better than a quick hole.
With regards to amounts of sand required anything from 20-120 tons can be applied to a pitch, depending on requirements but 40-60 is average for most budgets. Your location will vary the cost of the sand so knowing this will help others give you budgets to work to.
Different viewpoint, hope this helps or stimulates discussion....
Ta
Barry
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
11 Nov 2006 by furnessrovers
Interested in how much it would cost to get a contractor in to verti drain and sand a pitch, has anyone had any had any costs they could share with me please.
I have 2 pitches which would benefit possibly a third but only if the cost is not prohibative.
11 Nov 2006 by raysmith
We had two pitches verti drained 80 ton of sand and drill seeded and it cost us around £2500.
12 Nov 2006 by chrismitchell
Hi Barry, Was always taught to never fill holes made by a solid tine as the soil around the hole has been displaced and not removed. If you fill the hole up the surrounding displaced soil cannot move . It will remain compacted. Even on a football pitch the heave from a verti drain will leave the surface wash boarded. Filling the holes will mean it stays like it as it has nowhere to settle.
If you verti drain with 1" diameter tines to a depth of 12" the amount of sand required to completely fill the holes would be over 1800 cubic metres per hectare or to put it another way 700 cube per football pitch! So putting your 80 tons on, most of which will stay on the surface, will be a little drop at the bottom of a deep hole so it is hardly going to aid drainage is it!
Chris
You will never see a statue in honour of a committee.
12 Nov 2006 by GeoffP
Hi all,
Have just Earthquaked my cricket outfield which stays very wet in the winter. If I were to spread sand now is there a specific type I should be using.
Geoff
12 Nov 2006 by jlawrence
12ttb - yep there's a specific type. A type that's compatible with what you've already got.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
12 Nov 2006 by Four Oaks
So far as doing the verti-draining is concerned, I would suggest that you contact your local Rugby ( yes Rugby ) club as thay sould have a contact via the RFU who are doing verti-draining at more or less cost price with the RFU backing. It is pssible that their contractor may be able to do your pitch when he's in the area.
Presentation is the name of the game.
12 Nov 2006 by Barry Pace
Hiya Chris, none intended.............Was just saying it how it is in the real world, did say that you dont get much into the holes, and that its on the surface, I was just trying to answer softwares question.
Do agree about the displaced rules in part, but also disagree when I use Shelton Gravel Banders
Hopefully catch up this week with the real soil displacer lol
Barry
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
13 Nov 2006 by chrismitchell
Barry you old git, be good to see you. I'll even make you a cup of tea!
By the way after Shelton draining you need some serious tining to relieve the compaction caused by the one inch wide slots of lytag being inserted.
Chris
You will never see a statue in honour of a committee.
13 Nov 2006 by Loammeister
furnessrovers where re you in the country? Best to get things looked at to give you a proper price so as to be able to take int oaccount local conditions, and indeed if vertidraining is the preferred option.
12th agree with jon but the ideal sand is a predominantly medium sand i.e. most particles (say 60% plus) in the 0.25- 0.5mm range- if you need any more detailed sand advice don't hesitate to send a pm any time
jwlchaopman all the RFU work is being handled through RLF consultants and is in the form of renovations for 32 clubs around the country. No doubt clubs will chare their experiences if they are asked.
The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train
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