Land drainage experts in surrey?

JimTech · Post: # 15984Post **JimTech** Mon Dec 18, 2006 5:09 pm

Having a hard time find local companies that know what they're talking about with regard to land / french drains.

The usual story - flooding gardens on clay - but can anyone recommend a local EXPERT to help resolve it?

We have three house neighbouring house owners looking for a joint solution on Esher / Claygate(!) border.

Any recommendations most welcome.

Many thanks

JimTech

TheVictorianCobbleCo · Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:09 am

We've just done a farm and have had to cut a trench 40 metres from the building to get run off, massive cock up by Architect, you're right, clay is a problem. I assume you have limited space, with this in mind - I'm not saying this is the only solution, but I've had good success with building a sump at the bottom of the run-off and then fitted a sump pump with top and bottom level switches. The water can be pumped to stormwater drain, and the setup is not as expensive as you would think. Please shout for further detail.

JACK BARTON · Post: # 16013Post **JACK BARTON** Sat Dec 23, 2006 7:46 pm

Try wrapping Aquacells or similar in a geotextile to create a sump. Put in a float switch operated pump. What doesn't soak away into water table gets pumped to surface water drain. Did one this summer and garden hasn't flooded for first time in seventeen years and boy, have we had some rain up North. I have a very happy client and two more jobs as a result.

Post: # 16014Post **seanandruby** Sun Dec 24, 2006 6:59 am

what about access to the pump for maintenance? wouldnt good old gravity work just as well using cells as a catch pit? just a thought.

JACK BARTON · Post: # 16018Post **JACK BARTON** Sun Dec 24, 2006 7:19 pm

seanandruby wrote:what about access to the pump for maintenance? wouldnt good old gravity work just as well using cells as a catch pit? just a thought.

Create a void in middle of cells and attach some polypropylene rope to pump tied off at top under suitable access cover. Remove cover, hoist up pump for service. Gravity to lowest point is right but when soakaway is overwhelmed by flow conditions pump kicks in.

TheVictorianCobbleCo · Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:05 pm

Mr Bartons on the button. really, 3 years down the line, pump pumps bricks, dead rabbits and the odd fox or two, and still running, I'm actually embarrassed at the treatment to my pump. The cheap pumps are throw away, if you want to go upmarket the worlds your oyster. If you place your pump carefully and screen it from the worst of debris, it will run happily for yonks, and you are guaranteed no flood.