If you've noticed that the area around your property often gets flooded with surface water, you might be thinking about installing a soakaway drainage system to manage it. A soakaway is essentially a setup where you dig a large hole in the ground and fill it with plastic crates that form a big void beneath the surface to hold water. This water is then slowly released back into the soil at a pace the ground can handle. This system helps reduce or eliminate flooding, making it a great solution for lawns and gardens with standing water.
In the past, soakaways were made by just digging holes and filling them with rubble. However, modern solutions like soakaway crates have greatly enhanced their efficiency. But here's the catch—your soakaway crate’s lifespan can be drastically shortened if it gets clogged with dirt and silt, reducing the entire system's performance and eventually necessitating a complete replacement. That's why we highly recommend using a silt trap. In this article, we'll discuss why including a silt trap in your soakaway system is crucial, the different types of silt traps available, and how to install one. After all, what's the point of investing in a whole drainage system if it's only going to last a few years?
Key Takeaways:
- A soakaway drainage system helps reduce or eliminate flooding by storing surface water in plastic crates under the ground.
- Silt traps prevent clogging by trapping dirt, silt, and other particles before they reach the soakaway system.
- Silt traps work by letting dirty water enter at a higher level and clean water exit at a lower level, capturing debris in a removable bucket.
- The size of the silt trap depends on the area it covers and the expected amount of debris.
- To install a silt trap, place it upstream from the soakaway crates and connect it to the surface water pipes, ensuring it's higher than the soakaway crates.
- Regularly cleaning the silt trap is essential to keep the soakaway system effective.
Installing a silt trap is vital to ensure your soakaway system remains functional for as long as possible. Without it, the system could become clogged with silt, soil, pesticides, and other particles, which can significantly reduce its effectiveness. If these substances infiltrate your system, your soakaway crate won't be able to store water efficiently, and you might end up needing to replace the entire system sooner than expected.
A silt trap looks like a vertical pipe or tube with an inlet higher than the outlet to help trap dirt. It functions by allowing dirty water to enter at the higher level and clean water to exit at the lower level. The trapped silt and dirt collect in a removable bucket at the bottom of the trap, which makes cleaning straightforward. Once the silt trap has done its job, the water flows into the outlet pipe, typically a 110mm drainage pipe, leaving all the debris behind. Essentially, it acts as a filter, keeping debris out of your soakaway system and ensuring it remains efficient for a longer period.
There are various types of silt traps available, and the best one for your soakaway system depends on the size of the area it needs to cover and the amount of debris you expect. For most jobs, a standard-sized silt trap that's 940mm high, 320mm wide, with 110mm outlets is sufficient. However, if you live in a sandy or coastal area, you might need a larger trap to handle the extra debris.
Installing a silt trap is relatively straightforward. First, dig a hole and position it upstream from your soakaway, between the crates and the start of the drain. Ensure the silt trap is higher than the soakaway crates to encourage water flow. You can adjust the height by cutting down the trap and reattaching the lid. This adjustment provides an access point for cleaning the silt trap by removing the silt bucket. Below is a simple illustration showing a typical setup.
Maintaining the silt trap is crucial to keep your soakaway system functioning correctly. While you can't ignore the trap forever, regular maintenance ensures it works effectively. Typically, you should remove the lid and empty the silt bucket every couple of months. Cleaning the silt trap involves removing the cover, taking out the bucket, emptying the collected silt, and replacing everything. You'd be amazed by the amount of dirt and debris that can accumulate in the trap, which would otherwise damage your soakaway system. For larger silt traps, mechanical suction might be necessary to remove the debris.
Regularly cleaning your silt trap every two to three months will keep your soakaway system in good condition. Make it a part of your home maintenance routine by scheduling regular checks. If you're planning to install a soakaway system and want to enhance its longevity and efficiency, feel free to reach out to us for advice via phone or email. We can guide you on installation or help you select the right silt trap for your area.
At EasyMerchant, we offer a durable and lightweight 320mm silt trap that we designed ourselves. It can be modified to provide a minimum invert of 20cm, and you can extend the height with standard risers to suit your needs. Building your own silt trap is possible, but purchasing a pre-made one is simpler and ensures a satisfactory outcome.
For more details on what a silt trap is and what it does, check out our infographic below:
If you're interested in purchasing a silt trap, we have a 320mm silt trap available, including a bucket and lid, priced at £338.12 (including VAT). Alternatively, you can explore other products like Soakaway Crate Kits and 110mm drainage pipes. Don't let your drainage system fail prematurely—invest in a silt trap today!
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