If your soakaway has become blocked, you may be wondering how much it would cost to fix it. In this article we will cover the causes of blocked soakaways, how to calculate the size of a soakaway, and what to do if your soakaway has been damaged.
Cost of unblocking a soakaway driveway
There are a number of things to consider before you pay for unblocking a soakaway driveway. First, consider how easy it will be to access the soakaway. If you live in a property with a tarmacked or tiled surface, you may have to remove that material before the soakaway can be installed. You may also need to add extra depth to the soakaway or have pipework installed. In this case, you should consult with an expert who can explain the best workaround for your property.
Next, you’ll need to determine the size of the soakaway. Traditional soakaways require a hole in the ground that is at least 50mm deep, and are designed to collect surface water and rainfall. Because of this, the area needs to be at least two or three square metres in diameter, but you can use multiple soakaways if you need to.
Soakaway drains can support up to 950 litres of drainage. Depending on the size, they can cost anywhere from PS400 to PS600. In addition, the cost of labour can range from PS650 to PS850. If you want to install a soakaway under your lawn, it will cost you about PS450 to PS600. You’ll also have to pay for the cost of the sand and rubble that goes into the pit. This will add a further PS100 to PS200 to your total.
Symptoms of a blocked soakaway
A blocked soakaway driveway can be a problem. There are several signs to look out for. The first is waterlogging or flooding of the ground. Another sign is compacted soil. This can prevent water from percolating through the soil, which can lead to pipework backing up.
When these symptoms are present, the soakaway should be re-configured to avoid future blockages. In some cases, the soakaway will need to be replaced due to external pressure or poor installation. The new soakaway should be installed at least five metres away from the existing one.
The clog can also result from a buildup of debris within the pipes. If this is the case, a specialist cleaning service can remove this buildup. If cleaning does not help, a new plastic crate can be installed to prevent future blockages. However, this method requires excavation around the soakaway system. It is important to keep the crate clean and maintained on a regular basis.
Calculating the size of a soakaway
In order to make sure you get the right size soakaway, you will need to know the surface area of your driveway. Then, you need to calculate the size of the soakaway using the dimensions provided. Traditionally, soakaways are constructed by digging a hole and filling it with debris. This limits the volume of water that can be stored in a soakaway, but today, you can get an efficient solution by using plastic crates that are two or three metres deep. This way, you can ensure that your soakaway will be large enough for your requirements. Once the crates are assembled, you should ensure that you leave around 150mm on all sides of the hole.
There are various methods to calculate the size of a soakaway. The simplest method involves measuring the amount of surface area that will be covered by the soakaway, and dividing that number by the number of people who will use it. A standard soakaway size for residential purposes is one cubic metre. However, this is not enough for most homes, and you will need to check the building regulations in your area before you install your soakaway.
Replacement of a damaged soakaway
Soakaways are often constructed of bricks or concrete and are easily available at most builders’ merchants. The concrete or brick sections are divided by a spacer. The inlet pipe is then inserted between these two chambers. The inlet pipe may be made from perforated plastic pipe and squeezed between the chamber sections, or a rigid pipe may require a hole to be cut in the concrete chamber section.
Soakers are designed to collect surface water and rainwater. The design of a soakaway should take into account the type of soil around the property. It must have good drainage properties, or it will sink and create a pond. Otherwise, areas of the garden or driveway could be flooded, causing water damage.
During a soakaway driveway replacement, you should be aware of planning permission requirements. Before laying your new driveway, ensure that you have the proper permission from the local council.
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