Soakaway - what if i built on it - Soakaway

[mcquitmp]

Hi,

Another silly set of questions from a novice...

I am building an area for a hot tub to sit on. In excavating the land I have discovered a soakaway (I think). At least its a large collections of stones that appears to be in a circle. It appeared to be covered by some plastic bags but of course I thought it was just a couple of bags of stones that were discarded and so I've pulled the plastic away.

Fortunately (or otherwise) it is just about the right depth for me so i can continue to lay some concrete and the Hot Tub above it (I think). It won;t cover it completely - probably about 50% of it. I have no idea what pipes and going into the soakaway to drain (if any). Perhaps some from my house and / or my neighbour,

My questions are:

1. If I continue will I damage the soakaway and its capabilities and will it affect the foundation for my hot tub? I also may need to build one of the retaining walls over it a bit.

2. Should I cover it again with plastic? - before I continue to build.

3. Can I make use and reply on it to provide me drainage for the hot tub overspill and rainwater that might collect in the hole I am digging? I assume I just direct a drain from my hole to the middle of the soakaway???

4. Finally - Although I have said its at the right depth - I may just have to shave off the first layer or so of stones - Will that have any impact?

The Hot tub and soakaway will all be surrounded by retaining walls of various descriptions.

Any views on these questions?

Thanks...
Maurice

[matt h]

1.MOST PROBABLY
how deep is it, check to see if pipes run into it and wherefrom, you dont want to overload it if it is a soakaway. Any photos? really need to see site to advise. What is area governed or drained by and position of soakaway?

[Tony McC]

If it's a functioning soakaway, then you need to take care not toidisrupt its operation by allowing silt, sediment or other crap to enter it.

So, if you plant to concrete over the top, then it should be capped with flagstones or similar, then sheeted over with visqueen or PIFA DPM before placing the concrete.

As for using it as a drain for the hot tub, you need to be sure that it is actually functioning before connecting anything to it. Removing the top layers of the soakaway may well reduce its capacity, but as we can't see or assess the structure, we can't really be sure.