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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Slow draining rainwater soakaway https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1550095322 Message started by wozzy on Feb 13^th, 2019, 10:02pm

Title: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by wozzy on Feb 13^th, 2019, 10:02pm

Hello,

Anything that can be done about a slow draining soakaway? I seem to have two of them here. I have jetted the pipes with a karcher.

Thanks

Title: Re: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by thescruff on Feb 14^th, 2019, 11:22am

Possible they may be waterlogged, Depends on the makeup of the terrain.

Title: Re: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by woodsmith on Feb 15^th, 2019, 8:26am

The pipe could be clogged with roots but I think you will probably have to dig a new soakaway. The plastic basket soakaways are very efficient and you shouldn't have to dig too massive a hole, although it does depend on the land, if you are on clay you will need a bigger hole!

Title: Re: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by wozzy on Feb 25^th, 2019, 6:47pm

the pipes are good so I think its the soakawys themselves the ground here doesn't seem to drain well, and they are 20 years old. I've been told the original construction was probably poor and they have silted up.

I would like to divert all gutter rain water front to back and dig a new one at the back. the front one is too close to the house as it is with new regulations. leaving just the front soakaway taking drive way water.

Is there any way of telling how deep the back one is, it takes two downpipes from the corners of the house?

Title: Re: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by woodsmith on Feb 26^th, 2019, 8:47am

Doubtful, they often just dug a hole and chucked a load of rubble in. If you can get a mini digger in, and there is one that will go through a normal doorway, it will make the job a whole lot easier.

Title: Re: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by londonman on Mar 2^nd, 2019, 4:47pm

wozzy wrote on Feb 25^th, 2019, 6:47pm:

...I've been told the original construction was probably poor and they have silted up.

....

That's what I reckon. Same faults occur with French drains - useless items that they are. You can't beat an open ditch!

It's why I like living in open countryside on a hill. Give the water to someone else ;D

Title: Re: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by wozzy on Mar 8^th, 2019, 4:34pm

might take a educated guess and drive some rods in to see if I can find it will look to dig it out nearer the summer and then divert the down pipes front to back of house

Title: Re: Slow draining rainwater soakaway
Post by wozzy on Mar 8^th, 2019, 4:48pm

the water cells are ok price the silt traps seem like a lot for what they are!