Soakaway Not Working
A soakaway that is not absorbing water, causing surface flooding or water backing up in drains.
What Is Causing This?
- 1Soakaway filled with silt and no longer porous
- 2Surrounding clay soil not absorbing water
- 3Soakaway undersized for the volume of water it receives
How Urgent Is This?
This should be fixed in the coming weeks. Leaving it may allow the problem to worsen and cost more to repair.
What Needs to Be Done
A groundworker will excavate and inspect the soakaway, clean or rebuild it with fresh aggregate, or install a larger replacement if needed.
How Much Will It Cost?
National average estimate
Labour: £933 – £3,333 | Materials: £433 – £1,667
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Prices are estimates based on typical UK rates. Actual costs depend on the specific issue, accessibility, and your location. All quotes from tradespeople on Tradesfolk are completely free.
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Ask a QuestionHow to Prevent This
Keep leaves and debris from entering the soakaway. Have it inspected every few years. Ensure downpipes have leaf guards.
Related Problems
Pools of water remaining on the lawn, patio, or paths for days after rainfall.
Water pooling on the driveway surface or running toward the house instead of draining away.
An external drain or manhole cover with standing water, overflowing, or draining very slowly.
Other Groundworker Problems
Pools of water remaining on the lawn, patio, or paths for days after rainfall.
Water pooling on the driveway surface or running toward the house instead of draining away.
Cracks visible in the foundation walls or signs of foundation movement such as doors sticking and walls cracking.
The ground around the property slopes toward the building, directing rainwater against the walls and foundations.