If you’ve ever had issues with waterlogging in your garden after heavy rainfall, it could be worth looking into whether you need a soakaway system installed.
But what exactly is a soakaway and what kind of drainage problems can it help with? We’ll cover all the essentials you need to know here, starting with the basics of how soakaway systems work.
What is a soakaway system?
Soakaway systems are a kind of sustainable drainage system (SuDS) which is designed to facilitate better rainwater drainage.
It essentially involves digging large holes in the ground, and filling them with specialist soakaway crates. These, along with geotextile membranes, shingle and gravel top soil, help excess water to drain away gradually into the ground – rather than sitting on the surface.
It works by creating ‘voids’ or ‘pockets’ within the ground, which fill with water before slowly draining into the soil below.
It’s also possible to build a more rustic, simple kind of soakaway using just building rubble and gravel, although the plastic crates system is more common.
To work properly, a soakaway system needs to be designed and installed by an expert. This involves a site survey as a first step, to assess the particular drainage needs of the site and identify the best location for the soakaway to be installed.
When do you need a soakaway installed?
Installing a soakaway to manage surface water runoff is recommended for any residential or commercial property that regularly experiences waterlogging. This is where water pools on lawns and/or driveways. It’s also worth considering for any property in a flood risk area or that has a history of flooding.
This kind of system is also recommended for:
- New driveway or patio installations – if you’re installing a new driveway or patio, the surface water run-off needs to be managed. A soakaway can help, reducing the burden on public drains as well as ensuring your home and neighbouring properties aren’t affected by excess surface water.
- Compliance with building regulations – some new builds and extensions will require adequate drainage solutions in order to comply with local authority planning rules and building regulations, as well as environmental standards
- Sloped and poor-draining sites – if your property is built on a slope and you’re also in an area with clay-heavy soil (which is notoriously bad for drainage due to its poor permeability), this could create problems with excess water.
The benefits of installing a soakaway system
The most obvious benefit of installing a soakway is better drainage – an end to soggy lawns, pooling water, and puddles on the driveway.
But there are also other related advantages too, including reducing your home’s flood risk and protecting the building’s foundations.
Standing water can also cause damp problems inside the home, as moisture penetrates the mortar and brickwork. This can ruin your plasterwork and decorations, create musty smells and encourage the growth of mould and mildew.
It can also erode the soil around the foundations of your home, which in a worst-case scenario can lead to subsidence.
If you’re building a new patio, driveway, or structure on your property, installing a soakaway system is a method of responsible and eco-friendly water management.
It can also help you to meet building regulations and local environmental regulations, and reduce the burden on public drainage systems. If you live in a densely populated city, one with Victorian-era drainage systems, you’ll have seen what happens during periods of heavy rainfall.
If more properties have their own drainage improvement systems like soakaways, this can help public drainage systems cope during unexpectedly stormy and rainy weather.
