Damp limestone and clay can block drainage systems. To prevent this, dry them out before laying, use separating layers and flush the system regularly.
Damp limestone and clay are common causes of blockages in drainage systems, pipes and construction channels; as their sticky texture causes particles to clump together and form solid blockages; however, with the help of simple, tried-and-tested methods, such problems can be completely prevented without unnecessary labour or repair costs.
Limestone and clay, being rather temperamental materials in their own right, do not like excess moisture when introduced into the system; therefore, before laying them, they should be left to dry in the open air until they become crumbly, this will remove any excess liquid, which acts as a glue for the particles, and prevent them from sticking together into compact lumps; it is sufficient to leave them in the sun for 2–3 days, stirring them occasionally to ensure even drying, At the same time, it is worth sifting out any fragments that are too large, as these can themselves cause blockages even without excess moisture.
Wet particles of limestone and clay are like unwelcome guests that try to stick to any surface, so a layer of medium-sized gravel or geotextile should be placed between them and the walls of pipes or channels; these materials act as a neutral barrier that prevents the sticky particles from adhering to the walls and accumulating in one place, the geotextile allows excess moisture to pass through whilst retaining large lumps of clay and limestone, and the gravel creates free space for water to flow, preventing stagnation, which only exacerbates blockages.
Even with proper pre-treatment, particles of limestone and clay gradually try to squeeze their way into the narrowest sections of the system, like curious travellers, so once every 2–3 months it is worth flushing the system with a jet of cold water without adding any chemicals; the strong flow washes away small accumulations that have not yet had time to form a solid blockage, without damaging the pipe walls, this simple procedure takes no more than 15 minutes, but it extends the system’s trouble-free operation by several times, eliminating the need for complex repairs to remove deposits that have already formed.
