If you’re not familiar with a rainwater soakaway, they are sustainable drainage systems which relieve the pressure on sewers and help recharge groundwater. They are a rainwater drainage solution for your driveway or garden
It’s basically a hole dug in the ground which has been filled with interlocking plastic crates, rubble or gravel to let excess surface water drain off gradually and soak into the soil rather than build up. Rainwater runoff from roofs or driveways percolates slowly into the surrounding earth with no waterlogging or flooding.
The plastic crates, wrapped so that soil doesn’t clog the system, offer greater capacity than a rubble-based version and represent more modern, longer-lasting solutions.
Rainwater soakaways are sustainable drainage systems which relieve the pressure on sewers and help recharge groundwater.
Commercial and domestic soakaways: key differences
With both domestic and commercial soakaway installation, there is the same essential purpose – storing surface water on a temporary basis so it seeps slowly into the ground. Commercial systems, however, are manufactured to a more stringent standard and on a bigger scale, with higher load-bearing requirements to handle the greater quantity of liquid involved. At the same time, there are more rigid regulatory rules for non-residential settings.
But, of course, you must use the right materials and comply with appropriate guidance for your site, and seek professional advice as necessary.
Why should I fit a new soakaway?
There are many reasons why you may want to do this as a proactive measure to protect your property, including:
- To prevent flooding and waterlogging: Because a soakaway gathers excess rainwater from roofs, driveways and similar hard surface, the liquid won’t pool in your garden or anywhere else around your property.
- Diverts from foundations: You divert water away from a property’s foundations, and therefore you help avoid possible structural damage, damp and mould, all of which can be expensive to put right.
- Less pressure on public sewers: You manage water independently on site, reducing the burden on overstretched mains drainage and sewer systems, stopping overflows into natural watercourses in heavy rain.
Modern soakaway solutions are durable, efficient and cost-effective in the long term, as well as being environmentally friendly.
How do I know if I need a new soakaway?
- Persistent pooling water in your garden and soggy lawns
- Damp patches on your walls
- Unpleasant smells
- Water getting into basements or other low-lying areas of your property
- Existing solutions are failing or blocked
How does the process of fitting a new soakaway work?
For a start, there are many benefits to having your soakaway fitted professionally by properly qualified drainage engineers. (If you’re attempting this task yourself, you’ll need to be very sure of what you’re doing.)
As experienced installers we guarantee compliance with local building and environmental regulations, while ensuring you have a soakaway that’s the right size according to whether it’s being used in a commercial or domestic setting. They will also ensure the right design for soil type (i.e. clay or sandy), which is crucial for effectiveness and avoiding expensive mistakes.
At the same time, you’ll have complete peace of mind of knowing that you have a long-term, properly constructed drainage solution in place, one that works dependably, even in heavy rain.
Initially, there will be a survey and site assessment to identify the very best option for your particular setting and assess soil type and local water table. This will be followed by:
- The excavation of a pit which will be lined with geotextile fabric and preparing its base.
- Fitting rubble or interlocking modular crates to store the water.
- Wrapping the whole crate structure in more geotextile fabric before backfilling the excavation with soil.
- Filling in the pit with soil, turf or hard landscaping.
- Making sure the liquid flows in and percolates at an appropriate rate.
Drainage solutions Essex from Clear Drains 4 U
At Clear Drains 4 U, we’re experts in both domestic and commercial soakaway installation. Our professional drainage engineers have been offering high-quality solutions to homeowners, landlords, councils, businesses and others for well over 20 years.
We supply and fit rainwater soakaways across Essex and Suffolk. Call the friendly team on 01206 763353 today for an initial quote or consultation, and we’ll take it from there.
