Discover the process of constructing a soakaway: a budget-friendly and efficient method to safeguard your residence and drivespace from waterlogging
A soakaway is an essential component of a well-designed drainage system, helping to manage surface water effectively. This article will guide you through the process of building a soakaway, from assessing soil suitability to constructing the structure.
Soil Suitability and Percolation Test
Before you start building a soakaway, it's crucial to determine whether the soil at your site is suitable. Highly permeable soils such as sandy or loamy soils are ideal, as they allow rapid infiltration. Clayey soils, on the other hand, should be avoided due to their low permeability.
To determine soil suitability and conduct the percolation test, follow these key steps:
- Site Assessment:
- Assess the soil type, slope, proximity to water bodies, groundwater depth, and potential for surface runoff or flooding.
- Percolation Test Procedure:
- Dig a test hole typically 300 mm in diameter and about 450-600 mm deep.
- Soak the hole with water and let it stand for a few hours (or overnight) to simulate saturation.
- Fill the hole with water again and measure the rate at which water level drops over a set period.
- Record the time taken for the water to fall a certain distance (e.g. 25 mm or 1 inch).
- Calculate the percolation rate usually expressed in minutes per inch or millimeters per hour.
- Interpretation and Design Considerations:
- If the soil permeability is adequate, design the soakaway accordingly with the right dimensions, typically incorporating layers of coarse sand, gravel, brickbats, or perforated brickwork/rings for structural stability and enhanced infiltration.
- Ensure provision for ventilation to release gases.
- Include appropriate maintenance strategies to avoid clogging and overflow.
- Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure all tests and construction meet local environmental regulations concerning distance from water bodies, groundwater protection, and soakaway design.
Building the Soakaway
Once you've confirmed the soil is suitable, you can start building the soakaway. Here's a simplified step-by-step guide:
- Preparation:
- Clear the site of any underground services, including mains water pipes, gas pipes, and comms cables.
- Excavate the hole for the soakaway, which size depends on the number and type of crates used. The most common size for residential use is 1 cubic metre.
- Installation:
- Line the dug-out hole with a geotextile membrane.
- Place the soakaway crates or rubble into the hole, ensuring they are level.
- Cover the outward faces of the crates and the pipe entry point with the geotextile membrane.
- Push the pipe into the membrane after it has been cut and folded back.
- Filling and Finishing:
- Fill the space around the soakaway structure with pea shingle.
- Add a pea shingle side fill to prevent movement.
- Cover the top of the crates with a layer of soil, typically about 4cm thick, but the recommended thickness may vary by the crate manufacturer.
- Additional Components:
- A silt trap is recommended to extend the lifespan of the soakaway and prevent overflowing.
- A crate kit for building a soakaway may include a silt trap, geotextile membrane, and cable ties (if needed to attach crates together).
With these steps, you now have a basic understanding of how to build a soakaway. Remember, it's essential to follow local regulations and seek professional advice when necessary. Happy soakaway building!
- For optimal soakaway construction, one must first verify the soil suitability, as highly permeable soils like sandy or loamy soils are ideal due to rapid infiltration.
- To assess soil suitability and conduct a percolation test, follow steps such as site assessment, percolation test procedure, and interpretation, ensuring proper design considerations and regulatory compliance.
- Homeowners and DIY enthusiasts planning to build a soakaway need to understand the importance of tools like geotextile membranes, soakaway crates, pea shingle, and silt traps.
- Proper planning and budgeting are essential when building a soakaway, as costs can vary depending on the materials used and the size of the soakaway structure.
- Environmental science plays a role in soakaway design and construction, with regulations concerning distance from water bodies, groundwater protection, and soakaway design ensuring sustainable practices.
- A lifestyle focused on home-and-garden improvements often includes projects like building a soakaway, demonstrating a commitment to both home improvement and environmental responsibility.
- To keep soil infiltration efficient and promote environmental sustainability, regularly maintaining the soakaway is crucial to avoid clogging and overflow, extending the lifespan of the structure and benefiting the overall home environment.
