If you notice any of the following signs, your soakaway might be blocked:

How to avoid a blocked soakaway system - Drainage Superstore

Standing water near the soakaway area or around external gullies after rainfall.

Tom sighed. He called a drainage company. They quoted £800. Tom choked on his tea.

“How’d you clear it?” his wife asked.

He cheered. Mabel clapped from the fence.

Before we dive into the clearing process, it's essential to understand how a soakaway system works. A soakaway is a pit or trench filled with aggregate material (such as gravel or stones) that allows rainwater to percolate into the ground. The system typically consists of a collection pipe that directs rainwater into the soakaway.

Tom needed to agitate the silt. He used a long, stiff broom handle to poke down into the stone bed, stirring vigorously. Grey clouds of silt billowed up.