Having to manage standing water on your property can be a real nuisance. From flooded gardens and driveways to soggy ground around your house, excess surface water can cause a raft of issues. At Cotterills, we know the importance of having the right drainage in place to eradicate these issues. Here’s our guide to why soakaway crates are the ideal solution.
What are Soakaway Crates and How Do They Work?
Simplistically, a soakaway crate (also known as a geocellular crate or attenuation crate) is an underground plastic box that temporarily stores rainwater. Instead of allowing water to collect on the surface or swamp existing drainage systems, soakaway crates collect the water and hold it until it can slowly and safely "soak away" into the surrounding soil.
When it rains, water flows from your roof or paved areas via a drainage pipe and enters the crate system. Made of a lightweight and strong plastic framework, the crates have a high void ratio (often over 90%) - this means they are mostly empty space for water storage.
Key to the system is the permeable geotextile membrane. This wraps around the entire crate structure and allows water to pass through into the soil, whilst preventing soil, silt, and debris from entering the crates. This is a significant advantage over traditional rubble-filled soakaways - these can become ineffective over time as they fill with sediment.
Why Choose Soakaway Crates? The Benefits for Your Home or Project
Soakaway crates are proven to be an efficient, cost-effective and long-lasting solution for surface water management. Here are just a few of the reasons why they are the go-to choice for homeowners, builders, and civil engineers:
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Flood Prevention: By capturing and slowly releasing rainwater, a soakaway system prevents surges of surface runoff, thereby reducing the risk of local flooding.
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A Sustainable Solution (SuDS): Soakaway crates are core to Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). They help to manage water naturally, preventing the pollution of waterways that can occur with rapid runoff.
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Space & Cost Efficiency: As they are lightweight, they can be installed in a relatively small footprint, soakaway crates are easier and cheaper to transport and install compared to moving around heavy rubble. Their modular design also means they can be configured to fit almost any space.
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Long-Term Reliability: The geotextile membrane prevents the system from becoming blocked by sediment, ensuring that your soakaway remains effective for years to come with minimal maintenance.
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Compliance with Regulations: With stricter planning regulations and the move away from connecting new developments to public sewers, a well-designed soakaway system is often a necessary component for new builds and extensions.
Is a Soakaway Crate System Right for My Project?
Soakaway crates are the ideal solution for a wide range of applications, including:
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Draining water from new patios, driveways, and car parks.
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Managing runoff from roofs and gutters.
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Creating a drainage system for landscaping projects and gardens.
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Providing a commercial-scale attenuation system for larger developments like roads, sports stadiums, and shopping centers.
The success of a soakaway is, however, dependent on the actual soil. A percolation test is essential to determine if your ground is suitable. A perfect example is clay-heavy soils - this has low permeability so is not always a good fit for a soakaway system. Our team at Cotterills can provide expert advice on the right solution for your specific site.
Expert Advice & Quality Soakaway Crates from Cotterills
At Cotterills, we supply a comprehensive range of soakaway crates to meet the demands of any project, whether large or small. Our products are designed for durability, easy installation, and long-term performance.
Our team of specialists can help you with:
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Sizing your soakaway correctly based on your site's impermeable area and soil type.
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Choosing the right type of soakaway crates and geotextile membrane.
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Understanding the necessary silt traps and other components for a complete and effective system.
Explore our range of high-quality soakaway crates and related products on our website or contact our team of experts for personalised advice. Just give us a call on 0121 351 3230 and we’ll be happy to help!
