When your garden begins to resemble a marshland every time it rains, or water pools around your property's foundations threatening to cause damp issues, it might be a soakaway problem. Particularly in areas with heavy clay soils, soakaways can underperform, leading to inefficient drainage and potential property damage. This post explores the causes of this issue, how to diagnose it, and the solutions available, including when it might be time to call in a professional.
Heavy clay soils present unique challenges for effective drainage, particularly concerning soakaways. Unlike more porous sandy or loamy soils, clay retains water, which can impede the performance of a soakaway system designed to disperse water back into the earth. Understanding this problem is paramount to finding a lasting solution that protects your property and maintains the natural balance of your garden.
Understanding the Problem of Ineffective Soakaways in Clay Soils
Soakaways are subsurface structures that collect excess surface and roof water and slowly release it into the surrounding soil. Properly functioning soakaways are crucial for managing stormwater, reducing the load on public sewers, and preventing waterlogging. However, in clay soils, the natural slow permeability of the ground can inhibit this process, causing water to 'stand' rather than drain away.
Signs of Soakaway Troubles in Clay
Typically, the first sign of a soakaway issue in clay soils is visible pooling of water around the area where the soakaway is located, especially after rainfall. Another indicator is when water backs up more frequently in your drains or when you observe increased dampness along your property's foundations. Additionally, an unusually lush patch of vegetation near the soakaway might indicate leakage or overflow from the system.
Diagnosing Your Soakaway System
Before you can address the issue, you need to confirm that your soakaway system is the root of the problem:
1. Inspect the system after rain: Look for standing water in the vicinity of the soakaway.
2. Check downspouts and gutters: Ensure these aren't blocked, as blockages can reroute water directly to the foundation rather than to the soakaway system.
3. Conduct a percolation test: This test determines how quickly water dissipates into the soil of your garden and can help establish whether the existing soakaway is at an appropriate depth or even viable in heavy clay.
Solutions for Improving Soakaway Performance in Heavy Clay Soils
Once you've identified that the soakaway system is indeed struggling due to heavy clay soil, several steps can be taken:
Redirect Water
Consider diverting some of the water away from the soakaway, especially if it's currently handling both roof and surface water. Installing additional drainage points can alleviate pressure on the soakaway.
Introduce a Crate System
Soakaway crates can enhance the efficiency of your soakaway in heavy clay soils. These are modular boxes buried underground, wrapped in geotextile membranes to prevent silt from entering, thereby maintaining good flow rates and preventing blockages.
Adjust the Depth
Sometimes, simply increasing the depth of the soakaway can help, provided you don't reach the water table. Deeper installations in clay soils might reach layers with slightly better drainage characteristics.
Consider a French Drain
For some properties, integrating a French drain system that channels water away to a more suitable drainage point can help reduce the load on your soakaway.
When to Call a Professional
While minor inspections and redirecting some water can be a DIY job, installing crate systems, adjusting the depth of a soakaway, or implementing a French drain should typically be handled by professionals. This is not only due to the complexity of the work but also because improper installation could worsen the problem or lead to non-compliance with local building regulations.
Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Efficiency
Maintaining your soakaway system is crucial to its long-term performance, particularly in problematic soils:
- Regularly clean your gutters and inspect downspouts.
- Check the soakaway periodically for signs of silt or debris.
- Consider having the system professionally inspected every few years to ensure that it continues to function efficiently.
Conclusion
Addressing underperforming soakaways in heavy clay soils can be daunting, but understanding the problem and exploring suitable solutions can protect your property from water damage and maintain the effectiveness of your drainage system. Whether you take on some initial diagnostics and minor adjustments yourself or call in a professional for more complex solutions, the right approach can restore the functionality of your soakaway and ensure peace of mind during wetter months. As a practical action, start by assessing your gutters and downspouts today; this simple step can sometimes markedly improve soakaway performance if blockages are found and cleared.
