How to Fix a Leaking Drainage Ditch
Drainage ditch leaks can be small seeping areas or large holes. You must determine the scope of the defect before deciding what action you will take to fix the problem. Cost of materials, labor and equipment as well as durability of the repair are important considerations. The urgency of making the repair is a critical factor. If you are able to wait until there is little or no flow or are able to shut the flow off, most repairs will be simplified. If the need for repair is urgent and you cannot stop the flow of water, you may be able to make a temporary fix. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Possible Temporary Repairs
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Drive two wooden posts into the earth at the edges of the ditch, one on each side, two feet below the leak. Form a length of sheet metal that is four feet longer than the ditch defect area into a U-shape or cut a metal culvert in half. Insert one end of the formed metal into the ditch three or four feet above the leak. Hold onto one side and let the water push the culvert into place, with the opposite end stopped against the posts.
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2
Push powdered or clumped bentonite clay into the outside of the seep or leak. Hold in place until the bentonite is fully swelled. Then apply bentonite to the inside wall of the drainage ditch. Start at least two feet above the seep or leak if the leak showed a wide spread on the outside. Put bentonite in a plastic tube and add a small amount of water to the bentonite at one end of the tube to let it swell. Insert a round stick as a push mechanism into the other end of the tube, then quickly insert the tube of bentonite into the hole on the inside of the drainage ditch and push the bentonite from the tube into the hole. Slowly remove the tube.
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Carefully position sandbags along the inner bank of the ditch to divert water flow from the side that is leaking.
Permanent Repairs
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Choose from earthen lining materials, solid materials such as metal culvert, tile and concrete or flexible waterproof liners.
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Prepare the sides and bottom of the ditch by cleaning, widening and smoothing where needed once the water is gone or has been shut off.
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Line the defective area of the ditch with your chosen material.
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Tips & Warnings
Repairing with natural materials such as dirt, rock and clay compacted into the sides and bottom is fairly inexpensive but not as durable as repairs made with solid materials or waterproof liners covered with compacted soil.
Climate, ditch usage and soil and water acidity affect the length of time a repair will last.
Galvanized metal culverts are able to expand and contract with temperature changes and last many years before leaking.
Fast-flowing water can make installing formed metal very difficult. Ask others to help. Wear leather gloves to prevent hand injuries.
References
Resources
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