Ethan Clarke
Soakwells are underground containers designed to catch and store stormwater runoff, helping to reduce flooding and erosion. They are usually made from concrete or plastic, with plastic soakwells being a popular choice for DIY installations due to their ease of use and effectiveness. Plastic soakwells are also becoming a popular choice for professional installations due to their durability, corrosion resistance, and ability to deliver adequate drainage in limited spaces. This guide will provide an overview of how to install a plastic soakwell, covering the tools, materials, and steps involved in the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic, PVC, Polypropylene, Concrete |
| Tools | Pick/mattock, small wooden stakes, hand compactor, shovel, level, mortar |
| Installation Steps | 1. Identify location, assemble soakwell, and dig hole. 2. Place soakwell in hole, ensuring it's level. 3. Secure with mortar and cover with gravel and soil. 4. Connect to drainage system or direct water away with pipes. |
| Cost | $1500-$8000 depending on type and installation complexity |
| Location Considerations | Distance from property foundation and boundaries, underground services, future pool/spa locations, proximity to pipes and services |
| Volume and Size | Volume based on council rain event formula, size and shape impact trench depth |
| Maintenance | Consider surrounding trees and roots, potential for excavation damage |
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What You'll Learn
Gather tools and materials
To install a plastic soakwell, you will need to gather the right tools and materials. Soakwells are underground containers that are designed to catch and store stormwater runoff, helping to reduce flooding and erosion.
First, you will need to purchase the soakwell itself. Plastic soakwells are becoming an increasingly popular choice for installation due to their durability and corrosion resistance. Recycled plastic soakwells, such as Reln soakwells, are a good option. You will also need a stormwater grate for the base of your downpipe and a 90mm PVC drainage pipe to run from the grate to the soakwell. These pipes usually come in 6-metre lengths.
Next, gather the tools required for installation. You will need a pick or mattock for breaking up any stones or digging the trench for your soakwell. A pack of small wooden stakes is useful if you are installing multiple soakwells and want to mark out their locations. A hand compactor, or tamper, is used to compact the base of the trench before placing the soakwell. You will also need a level to ensure the soakwell is straight and secure it with mortar.
Before beginning any installation work, it is important to check your local council requirements and guidelines for soakwell installation. You should also contact Dial Before You Dig to know the locations of any underground services, such as sewer pipes, gas lines, power cables, or water pipes.
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Identify the location
Before installing a plastic soakwell, it is important to identify a suitable location. Soakwells are underground containers designed to catch and store stormwater runoff, helping to reduce flooding and erosion. When choosing a location for your plastic soakwell, there are several factors to consider:
Firstly, ensure that the soakwell is installed at an appropriate distance from your property's foundation and boundaries. The recommended distance from the foundation is 1.5 to 1.8 metres. Check your local council requirements and regulations for specific guidelines related to soakwell installation.
Secondly, avoid installing the soakwell in an area that is prone to flooding. Select a location where stormwater runoff can be effectively managed and directed away from your home or building. This will help prevent water stagnation and potential flooding issues.
Additionally, consider the size and shape of the soakwell when identifying the location. The depth of the trench you will dig will depend on the size of the soakwell and the amount of drainage required. Assemble the soakwell and place it next to the identified location to gauge the required trench depth and size accurately.
It is also important to be mindful of any future plans for your property, such as installing a pool or spa. Choose a location for the soakwell that will not interfere with these potential additions. If you have a house built on the boundary of your property, consider having a stormwater prelay under your garage slab before the concrete is poured.
Furthermore, if you intend to install multiple soakwells, maximise their potential by grouping them in rows. This will increase the surface area, which is integral to the performance of the soakwells. A gap of 1 metre between rows with a single interconnecting pipe is recommended. Ensure that the location you choose has adequate space to accommodate the required number of soakwells effectively.
By carefully considering these factors, you can identify the best location for your plastic soakwell installation, ensuring proper stormwater management and the optimal performance of your soakwell system.
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Dig a trench
Digging a trench is the first step in installing a plastic soakwell. Before you start digging, it is important to identify the location of your underground services, such as sewer pipes, gas lines, power lines, and water pipes, to avoid any accidental damage. You can do this by contacting your local utility company or using an online service.
Once you have determined the location of your soakwell and ensured it is at least 1.5-1.8 meters away from the foundation of your property, you can begin digging the trench. The depth of the trench will depend on the size of the soakwell and the amount of drainage required, but it should typically be around 300-500mm below the ground surface. If you are installing multiple soakwells, you will need to dig a trench for each one, ensuring they are spaced appropriately to maximize surface area and drainage capacity.
When digging the trench, use a pick or a mattock to break up any stones or hard soil that you may encounter. If you are installing multiple soakwells, you can use small wooden stakes to mark out the locations of each trench. Ensure that the trench is wide enough to accommodate the soakwell comfortably. It is important to compact the base of the trench with a hand compactor or tamper to provide a stable base for the soakwell.
Once the trench is dug to the appropriate depth and width, you can line the bottom with a layer of gravel or sand. This will provide a stable base for the soakwell and help with drainage. Carefully lower the soakwell into the trench, ensuring it is level using a spirit level. If the soakwell is not level, you can adjust it by adding or removing gravel or sand from underneath until it is level.
After the soakwell is level, you can secure it in place with mortar or concrete. Ensure that the mortar is dry and cured before backfilling the trench with gravel and soil to keep the soakwell in place and prevent water stagnation.
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Place the soakwell
When placing the soakwell, there are several key steps to follow. Firstly, identify a suitable location for your soakwell, ensuring that it is at least 1.5-1.8 metres away from the foundation of your property and the appropriate distance from your boundaries. Check your local council requirements for specific regulations and guidelines. It is also important to contact the relevant authorities ("Dial Before You Dig") to know the exact locations of any underground services, such as sewer pipes, gas lines, power cables, etc., to avoid any accidental damage during digging.
Once you have determined the location and size of the soakwell, you can start digging a trench. The trench should be deep enough to accommodate the soakwell, typically 300-500mm below the ground surface, with 500mm being ideal if possible. Remember to assemble the soakwell and place it next to the trench to gauge the required size of the hole accurately.
After digging the trench, line the bottom with a layer of gravel or sand. This layer will help with water filtration and prevent stagnation. Now, carefully place the soakwell into the trench, using a level to ensure it is straight and even. Secure the soakwell in place with mortar or concrete.
Finally, cover the top of the soakwell with a layer of gravel and soil. This will help keep the soakwell in place and further enhance water filtration.
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Connect to drainage
Once you have purchased your plastic soakwell, you will need to determine where it needs to be installed. It should be placed in an area that is not prone to flooding and at least 1.5–1.8 metres away from the foundation of your property. You should also check local council requirements for regulations and guidelines.
Next, you will need to dig a trench that is deep enough to accommodate the soakwell. The depth of the trench will depend on the size of the soakwell and the amount of drainage required. Before you start digging, contact Dial Before You Dig to know where your underground services are so that you don't accidentally damage any sewer pipes, gas lines, power lines, or fibre cables.
Once the trench is dug, line the bottom with a layer of gravel or sand and then carefully place the soakwell in the trench. Use a level to ensure the soakwell is level and secure it with mortar.
Finally, you can connect the soakwell to your existing drainage system. If you are using polypropylene or PVC soakwells, you can also direct the water away from your home or business using pipe and fittings. To maximise the potential of this setup, polypropylene soakwells should be grouped and installed in rows with a single interconnecting pipe.
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Frequently asked questions
Soakwells are underground containers designed to catch and store stormwater runoff from roofs and other hard surfaces. They are often buried in the ground and are usually made from concrete or plastic.
First, dig a trench that is deep enough to accommodate the soakwell. Place a layer of gravel at the bottom of the trench and then carefully place the soakwell in the trench. Use a level to ensure the soakwell is level and secure it with mortar. Once the soakwell is secure, cover the top with a layer of gravel and soil to help keep it in place.
You will need a plastic soakwell with a protective fabric wrap, a stormwater grate for the base of your downpipe, and a 90mm PVC drainage pipe to run from the grate to the soakwell. You will also need gravel, sand or soil, and mortar to secure the soakwell in place.
The location of your soakwell should be somewhere that is not prone to flooding and at least 1.5 – 1.8m away from the foundation of your property. You should also check your local council requirements for any regulations and guidelines specific to your area.
Before digging the hole for your soakwell, contact Dial Before You Dig to know where your underground services are so that you don't accidentally damage any sewer pipes, gas lines, power lines, etc. Additionally, if you have trees with roots nearby, consider using concrete soakwells instead.
