Soak away causing sinking in block paving - Problems with drive installation

[Felicity Kienstra]

Hi there, we recently had our drive block paved and the soak away is consistently causing the block paving to sink. The contractor has come back to rectify the problem a number of times. Bringing up the paving, whacking it, filling with sharp sand and the soak away continues to cause the block paving to sink. Having read some of the very useful information on the site it seems that we need to ask a number of questions such as how far it is from the house, if we are on clay and probably much more! I don't really know where to start We have also been told that the soak away should have gone under the front lawn instead?? I'm sure this is a complex issue but any pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for taking time to read.

[dig dug dan]

Is this a new soakway? Normally we construct them under drives so the drainage channel can run into them, but we always use stormwater storage cells, not rubble. Using th he cells means you do not get the continual sinkage, and you get a better longer lasting soakaway.
if your soakaway is a rubble filled pit, it would be better to dig it up and replace with the crates as the sinking problem will go on for a long time

[Dave_L]

As Dan quite rightly says - we need to know more information on the construction. Rubble filled pits are the old school way of doing it these days.