How To — Clear A Blocked Rainwater Soakaway

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

The problem was the —an underground pit filled with crushed stone, designed to take water from his downpipes and let it drain slowly into the soil. But for three weeks, the water hadn’t drained. It sat in a green, scummy puddle near the patio doors. how to clear a blocked rainwater soakaway

Tom smiled. “Step one: don’t call the £800 man. Step two: clear the inlet, rod the pipe, break the silt cap, flush with water, and test.” Tom sighed

Lesson one: Always check the easy bit first. Half the time, the blockage is right at the entrance. The water still didn’t move. Tom borrowed a set of drain rods from Mabel. He screwed them together and pushed them gently into the pipe. Tom choked on his tea

He cheered. Mabel clapped from the fence.

“And Mabel,” he added. “Step zero: ask your neighbor.” A blocked soakaway is rarely broken—just suffocated. Give it air, give it movement, and most of all, give it patience. And keep a set of drain rods in the shed.