Soakaway blocked - alternative solution checks
Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2024 2:56 pm
Good afternoon,
I live in a semi detached property and the original soakaway is located in the front garden on my side of the property 15 foot from the house. This has become completely blocked with roots and soil and would be a complete rebuild however according to recent building regulations this would need to be 5 metres from the house and 2.5 from any public pathway or road, which isn't going to be possible based on the size of the garden.
As an alternative I have rerouted the downpipe located directly in the middle of the property down the middle wall between the gardens to close to the front of the garden and added a splitter on the end to send water either side of the wall evenly. This water falls into two sub surface dug holes about 1.5m2 combined (the front roof surface area is around 40m2). The areas are filled with crates to create a space for the water to collect and soak back into the chalky soil, which has a good rate of infiltration. On top of this is placed rubble and then topped with gravel and slate, similar to a French Drain. It works well without flooding after heavy rainfall so far.
Can someone please advise the implications of this solution. Is this legal for example or are there any other considerations and methods that should be applied. I am trying to avoid requesting with the local water company to be able to tap into the drains otherwise. One builder advised just to pipe it out onto the pavement, which doesn't seem right and I disagreed as it would be dangerous if this discharge were to freeze on a public pavement.
Thank you in advance.
I live in a semi detached property and the original soakaway is located in the front garden on my side of the property 15 foot from the house. This has become completely blocked with roots and soil and would be a complete rebuild however according to recent building regulations this would need to be 5 metres from the house and 2.5 from any public pathway or road, which isn't going to be possible based on the size of the garden.
As an alternative I have rerouted the downpipe located directly in the middle of the property down the middle wall between the gardens to close to the front of the garden and added a splitter on the end to send water either side of the wall evenly. This water falls into two sub surface dug holes about 1.5m2 combined (the front roof surface area is around 40m2). The areas are filled with crates to create a space for the water to collect and soak back into the chalky soil, which has a good rate of infiltration. On top of this is placed rubble and then topped with gravel and slate, similar to a French Drain. It works well without flooding after heavy rainfall so far.
Can someone please advise the implications of this solution. Is this legal for example or are there any other considerations and methods that should be applied. I am trying to avoid requesting with the local water company to be able to tap into the drains otherwise. One builder advised just to pipe it out onto the pavement, which doesn't seem right and I disagreed as it would be dangerous if this discharge were to freeze on a public pavement.
Thank you in advance.