Groundworks - the essential foundation

Drainage is an important aspect of almost any build and we provide appropriate and affordable drainage solutions for our own projects and for a wide range of third party companies.

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Inadequate drainage systems can result in structural damage to buildings, weakening of the foundations and damage to paving, block-work, tarmac and or other above ground surface finishes. For this reason experienced companies such as ours provide expert handling of every groundwork and drainage task undertaken.

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We cover all types of excavation work throughout the south coast, principally Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey . All projects are undertaken working closely with the client or site management to minimise any issues that may arise. We cater for all types of clients from homeowners to property developers providing a wide range of services, including:

• Land drainage

• Trench or sheet pilling

• House foundations

• Ground stabilisation

• Driveways

• Access Roads

• Park and garden drainage schemes

• Main drainage systems

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Land Drainage

Installing land drains requires digging trenches and laying plastic piping, which takes the excess water to either a soakaway area, a natural water course such as a stream or conduit, or the rainwater drain from the property.

 

The plastic pipe has a series of holes cut into the top half of the pipe and the piping is laid in a trench, the depth of which is determined by where the water will eventually run. The trench is lined with gravel and the pipe laid in it with a gentle slope or fall in the direction away from the flooded area. The pipe is covered with a geotextile material, which allows the water to penetrate but keeps out soil and grit, which would clog the pipe.

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In the case of gardens that are flooded a criss-cross herring bone pattern is used so that the pipes are never less than 2.5 metres apart. When the pipe has been laid the ground can be returned to its desired purpose such as a lawn or flower beds and where vegetables can be grown without further problems.

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If a soakaway is used, a large area is required to install the pit, which will be at least 2 metres deep and several metres square. Purpose-built soakaway crates wrapped in geotextile material are placed in the pit before backfilling with pea shingle.  The pit can then be covered with about 300 mm of soil. Ideally, the pit will be deep enough to find a porous layer of ground which allows the excess water to soak away. If a porous layer cannot be found, the pit will need to be drained by pipe to a natural watercourse or to the rainwater drains.