Stormwater Management Solutions in Selsmore

There are many ways to manage stormwater, and the best solution often depends on your specific property and the amount of runoff. Simple things like rain gardens can help water soak naturally into the ground (infiltration). For more significant amounts of water, soakaways are a very common and effective solution in the UK. These are essentially underground pits that allow water to gradually percolate back into the earth. Sometimes, for larger sites or commercial properties, more engineered solutions like underground storage tanks or specially designed infiltration trenches might be needed. We can look at your particular situation and advise on the most suitable types of systems to manage storm waters effectively.

A waterlogged garden after every downpour is a common frustration for many homeowners. This often happens because the rainwater runoff has nowhere to go, or the existing drainage can't cope. One of the primary ways we help is by assessing your current setup. It might be that your existing soakaway is blocked and needs clearing, or perhaps you don't have an adequate system in place. Installing a new, correctly sized soakaway can make a huge difference, allowing that excess surface water to drain away efficiently. We also look at how water flows across your garden and can suggest simple landscaping changes or the installation of surface water channels to direct water to where it can be managed.

This is a sensible question to ask before starting any significant drainage work. For many common domestic stormwater solutions, such as installing a standard soakaway on your own property to manage roof or patio runoff, you typically don't need formal planning permission, provided it meets certain criteria (like being a certain distance from buildings and boundaries). However, regulations can vary. If you're planning a very large system, if your property is in a designated sensitive area (like a conservation area or near a river), or if the system involves discharging water into a public sewer or directly into a watercourse, you will almost certainly need to consult with your local authority. We always advise checking, and we can help guide you on what might be required for your project, ensuring any new infrastructure is compliant.

Once you have a good stormwater management system in place, a little maintenance goes a long way to keep it performing well. For systems like soakaways, the main issue over time can be clogging from silt, leaves, and other debris that get washed in. Regular checks, especially after heavy storms, are a good idea. Gutters and downpipes, which feed many stormwater systems, should be kept clear to prevent blockages at the source. If you have inspection chambers for your underground drainage, occasionally checking these can help spot issues early. For more complex systems or if you notice your garden starting to flood again, it’s wise to get professional services like ours at Sink and Drain to inspect and, if necessary, clear or rejuvenate your system, ensuring it continues to effectively remove and manage storm waters.