Discover the method of constructing a soakaway - an affordable and potent approach to safeguard your home and driveway from waterlogging issues.
In many residential areas across the UK, waterlogging and flooding have become common issues, particularly during heavy rainfall. However, a simple and sustainable solution is within reach - soakaway systems.
A soakaway is a hole dug into the ground, filled with rubble or soakaway crates, to allow surface water to percolate back into the earth at a measured rate. The most common size for a residential soakaway is 1 cubic meter, as specified by many Local Authorities.
Soakaway kits, available online, come with a silt trap, geotextile membrane, and cable ties, making installation easier. These crates have a 300-liter capacity and can be stacked together if needed. They are of HGV load quality and can be used for driveways, lawns, and patios.
Adding a soakaway to your garden or under your driveway can potentially solve the problem of waterlogging and allow excess rainwater to drain naturally back into the ground. By doing so, homeowners can potentially protect their homes from surface water flooding and serve as a sustainable drainage option.
However, not all soils are suitable for a soakaway; a soil percolation test should be conducted to determine the water absorption of the soil before building a soakaway.
Recent research by Flood Re shows that 1 in 4 homes in the UK are at risk of flooding, not just by the coast and rivers, but in urban areas too. In total, 5.4 million (1 in 8) UK adults with gardens have experienced the devastating impact of flooding on their green spaces.
Soakaways mainly manage surface water runoff, whereas drainage fields manage effluent dispersal from wastewater treatment systems. A drainage field, or leach field, is a subsurface disposal area that disperses treated wastewater from a septic system across a network of perforated pipes buried in gravel-filled trenches to promote infiltration and natural filtration.
Using soakaway crates instead of loose rubble offers several advantages. Soakaway crates are engineered plastic modules that provide a larger, more controlled void space than loose rubble, resulting in improved water storage capacity and more efficient infiltration. Crates allow for quicker installation, easier handling, and more uniform structural stability compared to piles of loose rubble. They also maintain void space under soil pressure more effectively, preventing compression and blockage over time.
In summary, soakaway systems are an effective and sustainable solution to waterlogging and flooding in UK gardens. With the rising risk of flooding in urban areas, it is essential to consider implementing soakaway systems to protect homes and gardens. Always remember to conduct a soil percolation test before building a soakaway, and consider using soakaway crates for a more efficient and long-lasting solution.
- For homeowners dealing with waterlogging issues in their gardens due to heavy rainfall, soakaway systems can serve as a simple and sustainable solution.
- Soakaway tools like kits, available online, often come with components such as silt traps, geotextile membranes, and cable ties, making installation easier.
- Calculating the costs associated with building a soakaway should be part of the home planning process, as it can potentially save homes from surface water flooding.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts could find a guide on building a soakaway beneficial, as it ensures compliance with local regulations for a more efficient system.
- To achieve optimal results, it's crucial to consider the specifics of your garden's soil before constructing a soakaway, by conducting a percolation test.
- A well-planned and budgeted soakaway system could positively impact your lifestyle by providing a comprehensive drainage solution, protecting your home, and contributing to a greener, more sustainable neighborhood.
