Soakaway Problems Page

Furthermore, soil conditions change. "We are seeing instances where a soakaway worked fine for twenty years, then stopped," says Reynolds. "This can happen if the water table rises due to local development, or if the soil structure compacts over time, reducing its ability to absorb water."

| Symptom | Typical Indication | |--------|---------------------| | Ponding water over soakaway >48 hours after rain | Clogged infiltration surface or saturated soil | | Water backing up into gutters, downpipes, or inspection chambers | Full or blocked soakaway | | Damp patches or moss growth on adjacent walls | Water table rise or lateral seepage | | Soft ground or subsidence near soakaway | Internal erosion or collapse | | Odors (especially from septic soakaway) | Anaerobic stagnation or surface sealing | | Slow draining of a percolation test hole | Inherently low soil permeability | soakaway problems

Nature abhors a vacuum, and it loves a water source. Tree roots are remarkably resourceful. If there is a tiny gap in the membrane or a crack in the pipework leading to the soakaway, roots will invade. Once inside, they create a net that catches debris, leading to rapid blockages. In severe cases, large roots can physically crush the soakaway crates or pipes, causing the ground above to subside. Furthermore, soil conditions change