soakaway

[paulpa]

on a soakaway, can all downpipes lead to one underground pipe that in turn goes to the soakaway?

 

[RedHerring2]

Yes, within reason. When you say all I assume you're talking up to about five or so. Anymore and you might be overloading the capacity of the underground pipe.

 

[paulpa]

yes, i have three downpipes at rear, it would be easier to get them all to one 110mm underground pipe rather than digging three separate runs for the soakaway?

 

[RedHerring2]

Don't forget the rules about access still apply.

 

[paulpa]

Think i may just do a seperate run and make a seperate soakaway .
Living in a clay area no idea why they insist on using soakaways though especially as we have a high water table, but the BDO says NO to tapping into FD!!!

 

[noseall]

Living in a clay area.......we have a high water table......... but the BDO says NO to tapping into FD!!!

Pointless having a soakaway. Mention to the BC that he is a prat.

 

[LeadFarmer]

Same here, im contemplating whether to have a soakaway under my new block paved driveway to comply with new rules. But Im on solid clay and the hole I dug to sink my telescopic security post is permanently filled with water, it doesnt drain at all.

Im tempted to put arco drains at the end of my drive to at least look like I have a soakaway????

Naughty I know.

 

[paulpa]

We know what he is but rules are rules so to speak.
Maybe when he finishes rodents may dig holes to my FD

 

[jeds]

Soakaways can ONLY be used where the ground is suitable. Otherwise you MUST connect to mains drainage. That means a surface water drain if you have one and a fould drain if not. (in that order) BC inspectors are not there to dictate what you do they are there to make sure that what you do complies with the regulations.

 

[paulpa]

Well all i can say is i have had the discussion and the answer is NO to FD and i MUST use a soakaway. Right or wrong even after pointing out to him they just do not work here.
Maybe i,ll call the water board in the morning see what they say.

 

[jeds]

Your BC is wrong and an idiot. If you use a soakaway where the ground is unsuitable it will not do the job and may cause damage. I repeat it is not his job to dictate to you what you may or may not do. His job is to administer the regulations and the regulations say that the soakaway must be 'adequate'. It is also expressly prohibited to drain into a soakaway where the water table would reach the bottom level of the soakaway at any time. Suitability of a soakaway is proved either way by a percolation test. Have you carried one out?

 

[paulpa]

"Your BC is wrong and an idiot." this may be the case, but i have found they can make life difficult if you do not follow their recommendations, right or wrong that is how it is with my borough council and to be honest i don't have the time to challenge every aspect of their way of thinking.
BUT i am making my life easy by design to alter at a "LATER" date.

 

[Nige F]

I think you`re very likely to find a rat`s nest that links the soakaway to the manhole of the foul drain - you might also find that mortar bees have eaten the pug out between some of the bricks of the manhole - just above the benching of the drain .

 

[paulpa]

yes the mortar looks poor in that manhole, must keep well away incase i knock it