What Are the Different Types of Drainage Grates in the UK?
Drain Repair & Replacement
Struggling with selecting drainage grates for your UK property? Avoid costly repairs with expert guidance on materials, load ratings, and maintenance.
Soakaways have been used to manage rainwater runoff for centuries. They're commonly found in areas with poor drainage or a high risk of flooding, such as roofs, driveways, car parks, roads, and open spaces. When properly maintained, a well-designed soakaway can improve the overall safety and sustainability of a site for years to come.
Greenstar are one of the South’s leading experts in drainage systems. With years of experience installing soakaways, we have an in-depth understanding of how they work and where they’re best used. Read on for everything you need to know about these unique systems, from the methods used to create them to the benefits of having one on your property.
Soakaways are a drainage system used to manage surface water runoff from hard surfaces. Traditionally, they were built by digging a pit and filling it with coarse stone or gravel. Surface water would drain through the gravel, slowly passing through to the soil below.
Thanks to technological advancements, most modern soakaways use soakaway crates in place of stone. These modular crates allow for the gradual release of excess rainwater back into the ground through the process of infiltration, improving upon previous methods of rainwater management in terms of functionality and eco-friendliness.
Firstly, the area where the soakaway crate will be installed needs to be excavated. A layer of geotextile fabric will be laid at the bottom and sides of the excavation. This will help prevent soil and sediment from clogging the system.
The next step is to place the crates into the excavation. Soakaway crates are modular, so they can be easily connected to create the desired size and shape. With the crates in place, the inlet and outlet pipework can be connected between them and a drainage system. The inlet pipe will collect surface water runoff and send it into the crates, while the outlet pipe will allow water to gradually seep out of the crates and into the surrounding soil.
Finally, the soakaway crates will be covered with another layer of geotextile fabric and the excavation will be backfilled with soil. The surface will then be finished with a suitable hard or soft landscaping material.
Depending on the size and complexity of the system, the installation process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to complete.
Soakaways offer several benefits for managing surface water runoff:
Soakaways are designed to be a long-lasting solution, but like all drains, they may eventually need to be replaced if they become damaged or clogged. Signs that a soakaway may need to be replaced include:
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to have your soakaway inspected by a professional. They’ll be able to determine the cause of the problem and whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Although soakaways are a fantastic drainage solution, they’re not suitable for every property. Whether or not you should install one depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of rainfall in your area, the topography of your site, and the building regulations in your area.
If your area receives a high volume of rainfall or experiences flooding, a soakaway may be a good solution to help manage surface water runoff. The topography of your site can also play a role – soakaways work best in areas with permeable soils that allow water to infiltrate into the ground quickly. If your site has impermeable soils or is located on a slope, a soakaway may not be the best solution.
Depending on your location, there may be local regulations and permits required for installing a soakaway, so it's important to research the laws in your area first.
If you're experiencing waterlogged or flooded areas on your property, a soakaway may be the ideal solution. Greenstar's team of experienced professionals can survey your property and help you determine whether a soakaway is suitable for the site. If so, they’ll advise which system will best meet your drainage needs.
Once you’re happy to go ahead, we’ll install your new system quickly and safely, taking care to optimise it for your property’s layout. The end result will be a cost-effective, eco-friendly system that will keep your property dry and safe once more.
Should any issues arise with your soakaway down the line, we’ll be at the scene to repair, replace, or unblock it in no time – any time of day, any day of the week.
Book a survey online or call us on 01202 355 344 to get started!
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