A soakaway system allows you to gather water and gradually release it into the surrounding soil without causing excessive runoff or overloading the underground drainage systems. This is especially crucial in areas with higher-than-average rainfall, hard ground, or steep slopes. Installing a soakaway is relatively straightforward and requires minimal maintenance—you just need to dig a hole of the appropriate size, wrap the soakaway crates in a suitable geotextile membrane, place them in the ground, and connect them to your drainage system, typically using 110mm drainage pipes.
However, it's essential to choose enough crates of the correct size to handle the amount of water you need to manage. If you don't, the system could become overwhelmed, leaving standing water issues unresolved. In this guide, we'll walk you through calculating the correct size for your soakaway, along with some additional considerations to keep in mind.
**Key Takeaways:**
- To calculate the size of a soakaway, you'll need to perform several calculations and tests, including a percolation test, annual rainfall assessment, and roof area measurement.
- As a rough guideline, many people opt for 1 cubic meter of water storage for every 50 square meters of roof area. However, this is a very rough estimate and may not be suitable for all ground conditions.
For residential purposes, the most commonly used soakaway size is one cubic meter. Some local authorities even specify this size under their sustainable drainage standards. While this size might suffice for roofs up to 50 square meters in average UK conditions, it's always best to calculate the exact size you need. Additionally, seek approval from your local authority before starting your project and ensure you comply with any building regulations or requirements.
To determine the correct soakaway size, you should conduct a soil percolation test. The results will reveal soil conditions, such as clay content, which impact the design of your soakaway. For instance, if the soil drains slower than anticipated, you may need a larger soakaway. Conversely, if the ground doesn't drain at all, a soakaway might not be feasible.
The percolation test should be your first step, but other calculations, like roof measurements and annual rainfall, are necessary to determine the exact size of the soakaway needed. Unfortunately, there's no automated soakaway size calculator available yet, but we're working on developing one. Stay tuned!
When measuring a roof, if you have a gable roof, measure its length from end to end and its slope height from the eaves to the ridge. Multiply these two measurements and double the result to calculate the total roof area. For more complex roof shapes, divide the roof into sections, calculate each section's area, and sum them up.
Calculating the number of crates required depends on the combined capacity of the crates you plan to purchase. Here's a general guideline:
- 50m² requires crates with a water storage volume of 1.0m³ (1000 liters).
- 60m² requires crates with a water storage volume of 1.2m³ (1200 liters).
- 80m² requires crates with a water storage volume of 1.6m³ (1600 liters).
- 100m² requires crates with a water storage volume of 2.0m³ (2000 liters).
For example, if you have 50m² of roof area, you might need 1m³ of water storage space. Determine the type of soakaway crate you want, then divide the total water storage volume by the volume of each crate. Using Brett Martin Stormcrate crates as an example, each crate holds 0.25m³ of water, so 1m³ divided by 0.25 equals 4 crates.
Each Brett Martin crate measures 1200mm long, 600mm wide, and 347mm high, so consider these dimensions when planning the size of your hole.
Beyond selecting the right size, ensure the soakaway is installed at least 5 meters away from the walls of buildings or retaining walls. Avoid locations where water might become contaminated or near existing rainwater soakaways. If neither option is feasible, consider an alternative solution.
At EasyMerchant, we offer a range of durable soakaway crates, attenuation tanks, and drainage crates, including complete soakaway crate kits that come with crates, non-woven geotextile membrane, waterproof tape, and cable ties for a full installation. Our experts can help you select items with the correct dimensions and volume.
If you're considering a soakaway, remember to consult a drainage engineer and perform all necessary calculations and tests to ensure your system works effectively.
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