A soakaway lets rainwater soak gradually back into the ground instead of flooding your garden or overloading drains. Evergreen Gardeners design and install soakaways in Guildford and across Surrey for roofs, extensions, driveways and waterlogged lawns.
Our soakaway services
- Crate soakaways: modern plastic cells wrapped in geotextile, which hold far more water than rubble
- Soakaways for downpipes, extensions and new roofs
- Driveway soakaways to meet front garden planning rules
- Replacing failed or blocked soakaways
- Connecting French drains and channel drains to a soakaway. See drainage solutions
Sized for your soil
A soakaway only works if the ground can absorb the water. Sandy greensand around Godalming and parts of south Guildford drains well. Chalk is variable. Heavy clay, common in low-lying areas and towards Cranleigh, drains very slowly. Where needed we carry out a percolation test and size the soakaway to the roof or paved area it serves. It's positioned at least 5 metres from buildings, as Building Regulations guidance recommends.
When a soakaway isn't the answer
On very heavy clay a soakaway may not drain fast enough. In that case we'll recommend alternatives, such as an attenuation tank with a controlled outflow, a connection to an existing surface water drain with approval, or rainwater harvesting. We'll explain the options honestly.
We work across Guildford, Godalming, Woking and Cranleigh, plus the villages in between.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my soakaway has failed?
Common signs are gutters or downpipes backing up, water pooling around the soakaway area after rain, or a soggy patch that never dries. Old rubble soakaways often silt up after 20 to 30 years.
How far from my house should a soakaway be?
Building Regulations guidance recommends at least 5 metres from a building, and further on some soils, to avoid water affecting foundations.
Do I need a percolation test?
For soakaways serving extensions or new builds, Building Control usually expects one. It shows how quickly the ground absorbs water so the soakaway can be sized correctly.
For a free, no-obligation quote for a soakaway in Guildford, call Evergreen Gardeners on 07383 778366 or send us a message. We'll arrange a visit, talk through what you need and give you a clear written price.
