Soakaway - Clay soil

[Mick Leek]

((EDIT)) Sorry Tony,

Realised i had posted in wrong section after i had done it ...

Hi all,

Ok here is my dilema. i am on phase 2 of my diy project which has now progressed to the base and ground work for a conservatory.

When we had the window company around we discussed drain pipes and drainage. The conservatory will be a P shape with the D of the P furthest away from a drain. the tail of the p can easily be drained into an exsisting drain but the largest area cant. The design wont allow a gutter to run completely around the structure. The guy suggested a soakaway. I hadnt heard of this till i found this site and after reading through the pages im a little worried.

The main problem i see with this is the suitabilty of the ground mainly free draining. The footings have been dug and constantly fill with water, once filled they dont empty i have to pump them out.

There is about 4 to 5" of top soil over solid clay. I personally think if the footings cant drain, then how can a soakaway unless i prepare a massive area.

I was thinking of running a drain under the base and tap into the drain on the other side but was advised NOT to do that. I dont think i will have the required fall if i try to run a drain along the outside of the conservatory.

My final thought was to install gulley drains along the entire outside, but i then thought i would have the same problem with fall?

Here is a plan.



Any thoughts ?

Thanks,

Mick.

[Tony McC]

You could use a linear channel drain laid all around the perimeter of the conservatory. Even if you put it in flat, it will function, as hydrostatic pressure will 'push' the water around, from the downspout to the outfall at the existing drain.

If you go with this idea, I'd strongly suggest usinga decorative, quality grating rather than the shitey tin grating that usually comes with Class A channels. Have a look at Aco - they have an excellent range of coloured gratings that would look quite smart on any patio project.