Soakaway Installation

24hour emergency

Soakaway Installation

A soakaway is an underground drainage system designed to safely manage and disperse rainwater into the ground. Instead of allowing surface water to run into public sewers or pool around your property, a soakaway collects excess water and gradually releases it into the surrounding soil.

Soakaways are one of the most effective and environmentally responsible ways to deal with surface water drainage. They help reduce the risk of flooding, prevent standing water, protect property foundations, and reduce pressure on overloaded sewer networks — particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

How a Soakaway Works

When it rains, water from your roof, driveway, patio, or other hard surfaces flows into gutters and drains. This water is directed through underground pipework into a specially constructed chamber known as a soakaway.

The soakaway temporarily stores the water and allows it to slowly infiltrate into the surrounding ground. Because the water is released gradually, it prevents sudden surges that can overwhelm drainage systems or cause localised flooding.

Modern soakaways are typically constructed using high-capacity modular plastic crates wrapped in a permeable geotextile membrane. This membrane allows water to pass out into the soil while preventing surrounding earth from entering and clogging the system. Older systems may consist of a pit filled with clean rubble or gravel, though modern crate systems are more efficient, longer-lasting, and require less excavation space.

Why Soakaways Are Important

Surface water that is not properly managed can lead to serious issues, including:

By installing a correctly designed soakaway system, you significantly reduce these risks. In many cases, soakaways are also required to comply with UK Building Regulations, particularly for new builds, extensions, or replacement drainage systems.

They also form a key part of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), which aim to manage rainfall naturally and reduce environmental impact.

Inspection

Locate and assess the blockage to identify the cause.

Clearance

Use high-pressure jetting or mechanical tools to remove it.

Testing

Check water flow to confirm the blockage has been cleared.

Advice

Provide practical guidance to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Let’s Solve Your Drainage Problems Together

Get fast, reliable, and affordable drainage solutions today.

Contact Us

Reach out to your local engineer any time or day

Quote

We’ll evaluate the problem and provide a quote

Work Begins

We can then start the work immediately

Why Choose Drain Wave Solutions

Specialist knowledge

Our engineers are fully trained in drain unblocking and have experience across domestic, commercial, and industrial sites.

Modern equipment

We use high-pressure water jetting and electro-mechanical cleaning to clear even the most stubborn blockages.

Rapid response

With fast call-outs across the south we minimise disruption and deal with problems before they escalate.

Long-term solutions

Where necessary, we provide follow-up inspections and recommendations to prevent recurrence.

Safety & compliance

All work is carried out in line with health and safety standards, ensuring a professional and responsible service.

Customer-focused

Clear communication, reliable scheduling, and respectful service in every environment.

what our customers say

Drainwave Solutions responded quickly and cleared our blocked drain the same day. The team was polite, efficient, and left everything spotless. Highly recommended!

James Wilson

We’ve used Drainwave Solutions twice now, and both times the service was outstanding. Clear communication, fair pricing, and great results every time.

Sarah Ahmed

After multiple failed attempts by other companies, Drainwave Solutions finally fixed our persistent drain blockage. They really know what they’re doing!

Michael Turner

The technicians arrived on time, explained the issue clearly, and completed the job without any hassle. It’s great to find a company you can truly trust.

Ayesha Khan

From booking to completion, everything was smooth and stress-free. Our drains are working perfectly again thanks to the expert team at Drainwave Solutions.

David Brown

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Offer Emergency Drain Unblocking?

Yes — we provide 24/7 emergency call-outs across the South Coast. Whether it’s a blocked toilet, kitchen sink, or outdoor drain, our engineers are ready to help anytime.

Our response time depends on your location, but we strive to arrive as quickly as possible—often within the same day. For emergency situations, we prioritise urgent calls to ensure your drainage issue is addressed immediately. We understand that drainage problems can’t wait, so fast response is one of our top commitments.

Absolutely. We stand by the quality of our work and offer industry leading 15 year warranties on both labour and materials used. This ensures peace of mind for our clients, knowing that if an issue arises after service, we will resolve it without additional costs. Our goal is long-lasting solutions, not just temporary fixes.

Drainwave Solutions serve most of the South Coast of the UK with a 24/7 emergency drain service. 

Customer support

info@drainwavesolutions.co.uk