Soakaways in Shortlands that stop standing water and protect your foundations. We design, size and install compliant systems for BR2 gardens and driveways, with tidy reinstatement and clear reporting.
Response within 24 hours
If your lawn stays boggy or your driveway floods after heavy rain, a properly designed soakaway can make the difference. We install drainage solutions across BR2, including near Shortlands station and the surrounding residential streets. Our systems divert surface water away from buildings and into the ground safely. You’ll get a solution sized to your site, not a one-size-fits-all pit.
Shortlands is known for large Edwardian houses, Victorian villas and well-kept 1930s properties, often with mature gardens and older drainage runs. These homes can suffer from compacted ground, clay pockets and legacy pipework that no longer copes with intense rainfall. We’re regularly working across Bromley and Beckenham, so we understand the access constraints and the finish expected in an affluent suburb. We tailor soakaways to protect patios, basements and boundary walls.
Our approach starts with percolation tests and sizing calculations, then a clear plan for connections and discharge routes. We install crate systems or rubble soakaways, add inspection chambers where needed, and work to current Building Regs guidance. You’ll receive straightforward advice on maintenance and future inspection points. Homeowners choose us for clean workmanship, careful reinstatement and dependable aftercare.
Ground conditions in the soakaways Shortlands area can vary from free-draining pockets to heavier clay, so we test rather than guess. Many streets around Shortlands Golf Club have limited parking and tight side access, so we plan deliveries, excavation and spoil removal carefully. We also consider proximity to boundaries, trees and existing services common in older plots. Our designs align with soakaways in London Borough of Bromley expectations and typical inspection requirements.
Rated 4.9/5 from over 280 verified reviews
Costs vary with soakaway size, depth, access and whether you need new connections or an inspection chamber. As a guide, smaller installations for a single downpipe can start around £1,200–£2,500. Larger crate systems for driveway or multiple roof areas are often £2,500–£6,000+. If percolation tests show poor infiltration, redesign or additional drainage can increase the budget.
Most domestic soakaway jobs take 1–3 days on site, depending on excavation depth, access for machinery and the amount of reinstatement required. Percolation tests and sizing calculations are usually completed ahead of installation. Timescales can extend if we uncover old drains, need extra connections, or if ground conditions require a deeper system. We’ll confirm a realistic programme before work starts.
In many cases, soakaways for garden and driveway drainage fall under permitted development, particularly when they deal with surface water on your own land. However, rules can change for listed buildings, conservation areas, front garden works, or if you’re altering levels and hardstanding. We check Building Regs considerations, discharge locations and any site constraints before proceeding. If permissions or notifications are needed, we’ll guide you through them.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on our soakaway installation workmanship, covering issues arising from installation defects such as incorrect connections, poor assembly or avoidable settlement. It doesn’t cover blockages caused by misuse, lack of maintenance, or damage from third-party works. We also advise on routine checks and can include inspection chambers to make future maintenance straightforward. Warranty details are confirmed in writing with your quote.
We install modern crate systems wrapped in geotextile for high capacity in tight spaces, as well as traditional rubble soakaways where appropriate. Designs can include silt traps, rodding points and inspection chambers to improve long-term performance. We can connect to channel drains, gullies and downpipes, and advise on leaf guards and pre-filters. After percolation tests and sizing, we recommend the best option for your soil, access and budget.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today.