Soakaway Installation in Littlehampton: Does Your Property Need One?
A soakaway lets rainwater from your roof and driveway soak gently back into the ground. Around Littlehampton and the Arun valley, getting the size and location right is important.
When is a soakaway needed?
New buildings, extensions and new hard surfaces often need surface water dealt with on site rather than sent to the sewer. A soakaway is the usual answer where ground conditions allow.
Designing it properly
A good soakaway design considers:
- The roof and paved area draining into it
- Percolation test results for the ground
- Distance from buildings, usually at least 5 metres
- Groundwater levels, which can be high near the river and coast
Crate soakaways
Modern soakaways use plastic crates wrapped in a membrane. They hold far more water than a rubble pit and are easier to install in gardens. Where the ground drains poorly, we look at alternatives such as attenuation tanks with a controlled outflow.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my old soakaway flooding?
Old rubble soakaways often silt up or were too small. Replacing with a correctly sized crate system usually solves this.
Can a soakaway take foul water?
No. Soakaways are for clean rainwater only.