Problems with a soakaway? Get in touch with BlockBusters today!
One job we are often called out to involves dealing with soakaways and drain overflows. When there has been a lot of rain or flooding, soakaways can end up clogged and cause flooding and groundwater. Luckily, we are able to rectify these problems.
What is a soakaway? What is the purpose of a soakaway?
A soakaway is simply a hole excavated in the ground and traditionally filled with rubble and coarse stone. In modern day procedures, plastic crates are used instead of rubble and coarse stone (this is to cut time and costs during installation). A soakaway is created as a place for surface water and rainwater as well as water from downpipes and channel gullies to be collected and then percolate back into the earth.
Can a soakaway get blocked?
The main problem people experience with soakaways is that they can become blocked up with silt, leaves etc which have washed into the soakaway and can prevent the rain water being collected and percolated back into the soil. We often don’t notice this has happened until there is a pooling of water around the bottom off the rainwater pipes or channel gullies.
How to unblock a soakaway
On most occasions a blockage can be rectified with high pressure water jets, gaining access to the pipework and backwashing it to drag out the silt and leaves, so that it is left clear and running.
What if a soakaway can’t be unblocked?
If a soakaway cannot be repaired or cleaned using the jetting, the only alternative is to excavate either a new soakaway or that same soakaway (after tracing) and then install a new soakaway to the correct standard. Under more recent regulations, there is now a minimum distance that a soakaway must be from any building.
Blockbusters Drainage and Plumbing Services have over 30 years experience in providing these services at a competitive rate. In some cases these works can be covered under your household insurance policy, but only if they are addressed correctly from the offset. This means that you must have adequate proof as to the cause of the damage to water main pipework and you must claim on the right policy under the right section, following all the correct procedures throughout the claim.
We offer a free claims management service at Blockbusters to all of our customers. When a soakaway has blocked and flooded we can attend your property and provide a report. We can also deal with your insurance company directly on your behalf at no extra cost to you. The repairs can then be authorised with your insurance company prior to works being completed.
Please contact BlockBusters Drainage and Plumbing Services on 0800 136 658.
Or for peace of mind – book today for your free above ground drain survey!
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