Soakaway Crates

[Red-1]

Has anyone used soaraway crates for yard drainage? Were they effective?

Would you use a line of them or just a crate or two dotted around?

 

[RachaelJC]

Depends on the soil type, area you have to be drained/volume of water to drain and existing drainage system.

Ideally they would be placed deep enough into sandy soil and it allows water to drain slowly. The soakaway needs to be above the water table to work and 5m away from any building so as not to interfere wtth existing foundations.

Clay soil types are heavy therefore the water won't seep away as effectively. However, if your water table is high due to an impermeable (clay) later with porous subsoil, dig through the impermeable layer and place the soakaway in the hole.

You can stack them or place them side by side rather than dotted around randomly because it will provide more effective drainage.

 

[ycbm]

Clay soil types are heavy therefore the water won't seep away as effectively. However, if your water table is high due to an impermeable (clay) later with porous subsoil, dig through the impermeable layer and place the soakaway in the hole.

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Be cautious about this. We were told when I built my arena that if the water table is high and you punch a hole through the clay cap on top of it, you can cause localised flooding.

We have soakaway 'worms' in two different places Red 1. They come in 3m lengths about a foot in diameter and seem to be extremely effective. Very light and easy to install. . Let me know if you want details.

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[RachaelJC]

Yes, I didn't explain very well. The water table still needs to be low with a clay cap, following the same rules as if there were no cap (i.e. The soakaway isn't in the water table at all).

 

[Red-1]

Soakaway worms sound better. There is no big problem, just surface water being a bit slow to dissipate in the heaviest rain. It was just to prevent Hector getting wet feet in the puddle!

I will Google them.

 

[Red-1]

I Googled. You mean real, live worms?

I was visualising something like a narrow gauge pipe that does not go too deep!

 

[ycbm]

Like these, one of many. OH installed them 2 feet down, some for the septic tank and some for drainage of a shower and a wet bit of field.

https://www.asapseptictanks.co.uk/product/soakaway-lengths/

We have the worms as well in the septic tank bed 🤣