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The basics
What is a soakaway?
A soakaway is an underground feature that lets rainwater drain slowly into the ground, instead of into a sewer or ditch. They're found under gardens and driveways, collecting water from roofs, gutters and hard surfaces.
If a soakaway has failed completely, we can install a new one. Soakaways for sewage effluent are called drainage fields, and we install and replace those too.
We do this work across Surrey, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Hampshire and London, with tankers and engineers in each area most days.
Most modern soakaways are built from plastic crates wrapped in a membrane. Older ones are usually a pit filled with rubble or stones. Either way, water fills the gaps and soaks into the surrounding soil, where it's naturally filtered on its way back to the water table.
Soakaways are for rainwater. If yours takes water from a septic tank, see our septic tank page, as that's a different job with different rules.
- 1Gutter and downpipeCarry rainwater off the roof.
- 2Inspection chamber and silt trapCatches silt, leaves and grit before they reach the soakaway. This is the part we empty.
- 3Channel drainCatches rainwater running across the drive.
- 4Soakaway cratesPlastic crates wrapped in a membrane, holding the water underground.
- 5Into the groundThe water soaks slowly into the soil around the soakaway.
What’s involved
What does soakaway maintenance involve?
The secret to a long-lasting soakaway is stopping silt and debris from getting into it in the first place.
Emptying silt traps
The inspection chamber or silt trap before your soakaway catches leaves, grit and silt. We empty it before it fills and overflows into the soakaway.
Jetting the pipes
We jet the pipes feeding the soakaway, so water can get to it freely.
Checking inside
Where a soakaway has an access point, we can look inside with a CCTV camera to check for silt, roots or collapse.
Honest advice
If a soakaway has silted up or collapsed beyond saving, we'll tell you, and talk you through the options.
Why it matters
Do I really need to get it done?
Yes. Soakaways are built to last for many years and don't need much looking after, but they can't clean themselves.
When leaves, silt and grit get in, they fill the spaces the water needs and clog the ground around them. The soakaway drains slower and slower until, one rainy day, it can't keep up, and water backs up into your garden, drive or gutters.
Once the soil around a soakaway has clogged, it often can't be cleaned and has to be replaced. A little regular maintenance costs far less.
A check every year or two is sensible for most homes. Soakaways under car parks or near trees may need attention more often.
Signs of a struggling soakaway
- Puddles or waterlogged ground over the soakaway
- Gullies and downpipes overflowing in heavy rain
- Water taking longer to drain away than it used to
- The inspection chamber full of water or silt
- Ground sinking over the soakaway
On the day
What happens on a soakaway maintenance visit
We find the access points
We locate the inspection chambers and silt traps that feed your soakaway.
We empty the silt
We vacuum out the silt, leaves and debris that have built up.
We jet and check
We jet the feed pipes and, where there's access, check inside the soakaway with a camera.
We tell you how it's doing
We'll explain what we found and whether anything needs doing. You get a waste transfer note.
Why Clearmasters
Why choose Clearmasters?
We maintain soakaways and install them, so we know what a healthy one looks like and can tell you honestly whether yours needs cleaning, repairing or replacing.
Ask us a questionAlways on hand
Routine visits booked at a time that suits you, and 24/7 call-outs when something goes wrong.
Advice from people who know
Our office team can talk you through your system, your options and the rules, or simply get you booked in.
Trained, friendly engineers
Our engineers work with minimal disruption and are happy to answer any questions while they're with you.
CCTV on hand
Our engineers can survey your pipes and soakaway with a camera, so there's no guesswork.
What our customers say
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Questions answered
Soakaway FAQs
How often should a soakaway be checked?
For most homes, a check every 12 to 24 months catches silt building up before it becomes a problem. Soakaways under car parks, near trees or taking water from large areas may need checking more often.
What are the signs of a blocked or failing soakaway?
Water pooling over the soakaway, gullies and downpipes overflowing in heavy rain, water taking longer than usual to drain and ground sinking over the soakaway are all signs it needs attention.
What does soakaway maintenance involve?
We empty the inspection chambers and silt traps that feed the soakaway, jet the pipes and, where there's access, look inside with a CCTV camera. Then we tell you how it's doing and whether anything needs repairing.
Can a blocked soakaway be cleaned?
Sometimes. Silt in the feed pipes, chambers and the soakaway itself can often be removed. But once the soil around a soakaway has clogged up, water can't soak away however clean the soakaway is, and it will need replacing. We'll tell you honestly which it is.
What are the benefits of regular soakaway maintenance?
It keeps your soakaway draining, reduces the risk of flooding and makes it last much longer, which saves the cost of digging up and replacing it.
What should I check before booking?
If you know where the soakaway and its inspection chambers are, let us know, and make sure any covers are clear. Tell us if the soakaway is on a commercial site so we bring the right equipment.
Got a different question? Call 03333 233566 or send us a message.
Related services
Fully accredited & compliant
We're independently vetted and certified so you can trust who you're letting onto your site.
SafeContractor
Health & safety pre-qualification accreditation, verifying our processes meet recognised safety standards.
RISQS
Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme — approved to work safely within the rail industry supply chain.
Achilles UVDB
Utilities Vetting Database membership, confirming we meet the utilities sector's supply chain standards.
Trading Standards Approved
Vetted and approved under the local authority's trusted trader scheme for honesty and fair dealing.
NADC Member
Members of the National Association of Drainage Contractors, the UK trade body for the drainage industry.
Registered Waste Carrier
Registered with the Environment Agency, so your waste is handled and disposed of fully within the law.