Is this soakaway next to the house a potential problem?

[jamiegw]

Rain water from one side of my roof is detected in to this concrete ring next to the house. It never fills up. The water is level with the ground, and the bottom of this ring is perhaps 50-70cm under ground level.

I assume the water is soaking down in to the earth? If so, is it potentially a problem to have to much water in the ground right next to the corner of the house? Could that cause subsidence or damp issues?

 

[noseall]

Rain water from one side of my roof is detected in to this concrete ring next to the house. It never fills up. The water is level with the ground, and the bottom of this ring is perhaps 50-70cm under ground level.

I assume the water is soaking down in to the earth? If so, is it potentially a problem to have to much water in the ground right next to the corner of the house? Could that cause subsidence or damp issues?View attachment 302332View attachment 302333

What are the ground conditions?

 

[jamiegw]

You mean, how wet or soft is the ground in this area?

 

[jeds]

You certainly couldn't drain the roof that way under current regs. Soakaways must be minimum 5m from any building. As noseall alludes to, ground conditions will be a factor in whether it is a problem? You seem to have a bit of room there. Could you make a new soakaway 6 or 8m away?

 

[Old Salt]

Rules may be different in Germany.

 

[noseall]

You mean, how wet or soft is the ground in this area?

No. What is the make-up of the ground at foundation depth, i.e. clay, sandy, gravelly etc.

 

[jamiegw]

No. What is the make-up of the ground at foundation depth, i.e. clay, sandy, gravelly etc.

it's sandy

 

[noseall]

it's sandy

Not so bad.

You still would not want a concentration of rainwater so close to the building though. As Jeds has said, minimum 5m from any building is current UK reg's.

 

[jamiegw]

Not so bad.

You still would not want a concentration of rainwater so close to the building though. As Jeds has said, minimum 5m from any building is current UK reg's.

Yeah I think I'll redirect the downpipe in to a 1000 litre water tank.

Out of interest, what happens if you do something against regulations? e.g Can the council force you to change it, or can it become an issue when selling the house?