The amount of soakaway crates you need will depend on different factors. This includes how much space is available, soil type, and incoming/outward flow rate. Regardless of the result, installing soakaway crates will help control the level of surface water in domestic and commercial projects. This is particularly important in areas prone to heavy rain or flooding.
With that said, this guide will help you understand how many soakaway crates you need for your project.
Table of contents:
How soakaway crates work
When looking at soakaways, it’s important not to confuse it with attenuation. As such, explanations for both are as follows:
Soakaway
Soakaway crates are wrapped in permeable geotextile, which allows water to filter slowly out into the surrounding earth at a steady rate. The slow rate of release helps protect against flooding and stagnant surface water.
Attenuation
Adding a waterproof geotextile and pipework redirects the water to a local body of water or existing sewer network. Installing a filter controls the flow of water, thereby protecting against the risk of flooding.
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How many soakaway crates do I need?
The answer to this depends on the following variables:
- Space available on your grounds
- The type of soil
- Incoming/outward flow rate
A groundworker or installer can perform a percolation test on the soil to determine the ground conditions. For example, clay-based soil is heavy and can cause water to filter out slowly rather than draining freely. This test will give the required area in square meters.
Soakaway crates are modular, meaning they can be stacked on top of or next to one another. Each soakaway crate is a different size; therefore, the brand you choose can determine how many crates your system will need.
Below is a list showing how many crates fit per m3:
- ACO StormBrixx soakaway crates: 2.28 crates per m3
- DYKA Rainbox 3S soakaway crates: 3.3 crates per m3
- Graf Stormwater soakaway crates: 3.3 crates per m3
- Polypipe Polystorm soakaway crates: 5 crates per m3
The amount of variables might seem intimidating. However, to help you find out how many soakaway crates you need for your project, chat with our super team. We have numerous soakaway crates to choose from at our Drainage Superstore. That’s why we’ve created a dedicated buyer’s guide for soakaways to help you out. We can provide advice and recommendations based on your requirements and preferred materials. Use the helpline or open our live chat in the bottom right-hand corner of the website.
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