I remember, it was in Swindon, Park Nort, I dug a hole for fence post and foud water table just 40 cm under the grass. It was during wet spring time. Some time later, during very dry summer, I dug a deeper hole for the gate post and didn't find any water. Looks like it is summer and dry at your place.
It's normal to do a percolation test to be able to size the soakaway for an intensity of rainfall. In some circumstances, because of the soil type, a soakaway is not feasible and you just end up producing an underground tank. If soakaway not possible then connect to nearby storm or combined sewer
The banter/chemistry between you two is so smooth, it's like you've been on the tools together for years! Love the content and the quality of work James!
As ever, really interesting and helpful! Thank you! Would have liked to see the digging process (incredibly neat hole!) but the whole thing is really informative.
Another good one chaps, entertaining and informative I reckon. Probably a daft question: What goes on top of the soakaway brickwork, some sort of heavy duty mesh?
It's funny James saying that about being 'Down In The Earth' being a Good Feeling (Good for yer) .... In my early life I did a stint on our 'County Council Road Gang' - The BEST job on that was manually digging the Trenches with a pick-axe and Shovel - I loved it - even worked through the rain (also good for yer ;-) ..... Much to the annoyance of the rest of the gang who used to 'Seize-The-Day' to play cards in the Tilt ...... "Get your A*** in here you Fool" was the cry :-)
would of liked to of seen how you finish the top of the soackaway. I would of been really intrested in seeing how you do that. without that bit I feel I cant attempt this project. Shame
I thought you would have laid the bricks on their side, that way you could still leave the gaps and you would also have the ten holes of each brick to soak the water away.
I'm amazed the chalk allows it to soak away. I thought that was why you get chalk rivers, the water just doesn't soak in to the ground unless there is a crack and you end up with a cave underneath.
Lol. Filling with soil defeats the purpose of digging a hole. Soak away is all about creating a volume of space for water to fill and soak away slowly into the surrounding soil. Filling with gravel even will greatly reduce the volume capacity of the soak away, which is why crates are great as it allows maximum volume without comprising strength. Also use of a membrane will prevent soil movement through holes into the soak away cavity.
So then how do you finish that off? What would you put on top? And won't the muck from outside the pit seep through these openings? Questions, questions.. I'm building a shed with a 5x7m flat roof and will need to dig a pit for the rain water (sandy ground here), having a hard time finding proper info on this..
It will silt up if fabric is not used to wrap the brickwork. Dunno why he hates crates, you assemble crate outside hole, wrap with fabric and drop it in. Fit surface water pipe.
8:00 fun fact, clips (things) that hold that t+e to the wall are apparently supposed to be insulated. So, galv all-round band: no. Coated all-round band: yes? . . . hopefully?
Comrade Roger of the proletariat. Please accept my sincere apologies for not posting the FIRST comment. Stakker was out fine dining and imbibing the finest alcoholic beverages known to mankind. I know realise I would have preferred to watch James build a soakaway.
That's a neat soakaway. I think when the groundworkers did mine for our extension, they just threw a load of hardcore in the hole! Is that still acceptable?
Depends if they put a membrain on top to stop the backfill filling up the gaps in the hardcore, it's not as good though as it will degrade faster over time.
Agreed and I'm a bricklayer and would build that much much quicker than James and there is no way I would be messing about like that it would be crates for me all day long.....problem is they don't factor in the time of loading out mixing etc I bet pound for pound there isn't much in it....
Your tiler is a rare gem! Please leave his details or make him wear a branded shirt. Your Electrician sucks! Those back boxes are way to low need to be 500mm up from that floor (450mm from finished floor minimim) and 400mm in from a corner (350mm finished)
Why bother with the bricks ?. They impart no strength ..and none is needed given it was in solid chalk. Whata a waste of effort/materials. just fill the hole with course gravel and be done with it
This is insanity! 1m³ of crates is £120, how much did it cost for all those bricks, probably atleast £1 each plus the muck, and half a day to concrete and build it, then how are you capping it? Got to ask yourself why we dont let the rain just pour out of the downpipes straight on the ground, it's because it can cause foundations to move, so why would you put a foundation IN a soakaway? Come on boys, drainage isn't your thing, stick to the carpentry vids 😉😉
I think maybe drainage isn't your thing either. In a driveway you need heavy duty crates so if you are putting in the cheapest you can find they won't take the load of a car. The foundation is there to take the load of a car parked on top. Not strictly necessary on chalk but it does no harm.
@@SkillBuilder ok, let's put our differences aside, try going to Willis or Civils & Lintels (buildbase I think they are now actually!) Travis are stupid expensive, they are a fair bit less if you have an account obviously, dropped from £80 ea. to £38inc VAT for the HD ones but I've found Buildbase are usually £22-£24inc VAT and they only stock the HD ones, Thetford branch anyway. Just out of curiosity, how did you cap the soakaway in the vid, biscuit and cast iron cover and frame?
I remember, it was in Swindon, Park Nort, I dug a hole for fence post and foud water table just 40 cm under the grass. It was during wet spring time. Some time later, during very dry summer, I dug a deeper hole for the gate post and didn't find any water.
Looks like it is summer and dry at your place.
Really looking forwards to the second half of this video when you show us how the soakaway was finnished with a top!
Definitely need follow up video to see how it is finished off
It's normal to do a percolation test to be able to size the soakaway for an intensity of rainfall. In some circumstances, because of the soil type, a soakaway is not feasible and you just end up producing an underground tank. If soakaway not possible then connect to nearby storm or combined sewer
The banter/chemistry between you two is so smooth, it's like you've been on the tools together for years! Love the content and the quality of work James!
Absolutely agree. Relaxed with humour but very informative. Love the where's james bit !!
I've always done soakaways in brickwork, but build it circular. It's a lot stronger for ground pressure 💪.
old skool 👍
Could you put the bricks the other way so the holes lead to the soil?
As ever, really interesting and helpful!
Thank you!
Would have liked to see the digging process (incredibly neat hole!) but the whole thing is really informative.
As we used to say as joiners to bricklayers, "you put one brick on the top of two, then what do you do ?? LOL" Love this channel,
Hi James & Roger, another great video. One question so how did you cap the soakaway.
Lovely bit of brickwork there james , I couldn’t even get down there and if I did I would never get out 😖🤣🧱👍🏼
Another good one chaps, entertaining and informative I reckon. Probably a daft question: What goes on top of the soakaway brickwork, some sort of heavy duty mesh?
Was thinking the same thing… how does it get finished off?
Great soakaway - much more elegant than a plastic crate!
Soak away get filled with gravel afterwards? Not had dealings with one before.
Not the first time these guys have been in a bit of a hole🤪🤪. Keep going boys soon be there👍👍.
It's funny James saying that about being 'Down In The Earth' being a Good Feeling (Good for yer) .... In my early life I did a stint on our 'County Council Road Gang' - The BEST job on that was manually digging the Trenches with a pick-axe and Shovel - I loved it - even worked through the rain (also good for yer ;-) ..... Much to the annoyance of the rest of the gang who used to 'Seize-The-Day' to play cards in the Tilt ...... "Get your A*** in here you Fool" was the cry :-)
Great video guys !!! thanks
would of liked to of seen how you finish the top of the soackaway. I would of been really intrested in seeing how you do that. without that bit I feel I cant attempt this project. Shame
I thought you would have laid the bricks on their side, that way you could still leave the gaps and you would also have the ten holes of each brick to soak the water away.
Love these videos, please make more with James
Yes, I second that he seems a great guy who does quality work.
What do you do after that? Video finished prematurely…?
How do you cap-off the soakaway? Lid? Infill? Arched top?
Just thinking that myself.
Great content Gents, very enjoyable.
To all those asking how you finish the top. Simple. A big net, and cover that with a layer of leaves etc so neither the net nor the hole can be seen.
You forgot the bamboo skewers at the bottom 😂
Looking good boyos 👌👍
I'm amazed the chalk allows it to soak away. I thought that was why you get chalk rivers, the water just doesn't soak in to the ground unless there is a crack and you end up with a cave underneath.
I bet James's worst brick laying is 10 times better than my best!
Thank you : )
I'm not a wet trader nor any shape or form a bricky. But I bloody hate laying engineering bricks. But the hydrangers will love that soak away.
Get well soon, Dylan
The times iv done soak aways there's been no need for brickwork.. ??
James! Charlie Collison wants to know if you want a job! Only joking
As usual thank you for allowing us to watch you work, great work well done 👍
Would the bricks for the soak away work better if they were laid on edge so all of the holes were horizontal? Or would that take away strength?
It would significantly weaken the structure for the sake of 20 bricks.
Another good one lads
Love the fact that James had to move dust to see important measurements!
#realworld
Don't spend too long in the ground James! Plenty of time for that in the afterlife!! ⚰️😳 On a positive note the projects really coming together 👍👌😁
Er...How do you finish the top? Just fill the entire hole in with soil?
Lol. Filling with soil defeats the purpose of digging a hole. Soak away is all about creating a volume of space for water to fill and soak away slowly into the surrounding soil. Filling with gravel even will greatly reduce the volume capacity of the soak away, which is why crates are great as it allows maximum volume without comprising strength. Also use of a membrane will prevent soil movement through holes into the soak away cavity.
once finished I presume the top gets covered with tree branches ?
Soakaways are a great thing to have.
If you can put all the water from the roof of your house in them they will significantly reduce your water bill.
How ?
Thats all well and good but the burning question here is how did James get out of the hole??
It's nice to see people who know that rainwater shouldn't go into a foul drain.
So then how do you finish that off? What would you put on top? And won't the muck from outside the pit seep through these openings?
Questions, questions.. I'm building a shed with a 5x7m flat roof and will need to dig a pit for the rain water (sandy ground here), having a hard time finding proper info on this..
It will silt up if fabric is not used to wrap the brickwork. Dunno why he hates crates, you assemble crate outside hole, wrap with fabric and drop it in. Fit surface water pipe.
How is the brick soak away finished on top do you put a manhole lid on?
CIRCULAR!!!!
Is that concrete lintel in the loft going to be a feature up there?
Will save Roger strapping it on his back to take it down stairs 🤣
i went to coulsdon yesterday and for some strange reason there was a voice in my head saying " where's jame's? over and over again.🤔🤔🤔
Loving the new game, ‘where’s James’ hole?’ 👍
Does the soakaway get infilled ? Seem the remember putting 20 mm pebble in mine?
No they are left empty
Instead of a soakaway, why not have an underground tank(well) for rainwater harvesting?
Because you are looking at 50K plus for a harvester
@@matthewhumphries7436 are they really that expensive!?
8:00 fun fact, clips (things) that hold that t+e to the wall are apparently supposed to be insulated.
So, galv all-round band: no.
Coated all-round band: yes? . . . hopefully?
What about the soak away? Im guessing put them stones in!?
Nice
How did James get out of the hole?
This’ll get the TH-cam experts going let’s read the comments 😂
So what goes on top?
cover top with tree branches
Comrade Roger of the proletariat.
Please accept my sincere apologies for not posting the FIRST comment.
Stakker was out fine dining and imbibing the finest alcoholic beverages known to mankind.
I know realise I would have preferred to watch James build a soakaway.
What are soakaways ....never heard of or seen them ..
Are they foreign ??
There foreign if your not native.
I thought when I saw the holey bricks you would lay them on edge . Would have been better .
Did I just see James on a fishing programme on itv4?
good beats though
5k views and i am first to comment !! Whats going in ya hole James ??
so jealous of people who can dig holes and stand in them.. there's nothing but sand here, though I guess it's good for drainage in the end.
That's a neat soakaway. I think when the groundworkers did mine for our extension, they just threw a load of hardcore in the hole! Is that still acceptable?
Depends if they put a membrain on top to stop the backfill filling up the gaps in the hardcore, it's not as good though as it will degrade faster over time.
In free draining sub-soils (sand, gravel, ballast etc.) it's still fine... Clay and hard ground not quite so good.
No it’s not allowed as rubble can compress/ deteriorate and collapse ect. Now it has to be storm crates ect, at least in my area it is
@@MistaJayLJ is that to control the market 🤷♂️"no you can't use something that u can find that has worked for hundreds of years"
Crates are expensive? All those engineering bricks and time and labour! No thanks… chuck some pre-wrapped crates down the hole .. done in 2 mins
Agreed and I'm a bricklayer and would build that much much quicker than James and there is no way I would be messing about like that it would be crates for me all day long.....problem is they don't factor in the time of loading out mixing etc I bet pound for pound there isn't much in it....
Has Dillon got covid? Get well soon mate
why didnt you just buy a crate?
Perhaps the soakaway was an on the job addition and so the cost comes out of his pocket?
👍
Just use crates in stead Lot easier and quicker
Getton.
THAT'S NOT A METRE SQUARE !
And where is the footage of you guys digging the hole lol
It's a meter cubed. Since when has volume been measured by area?
Why on earth aren't you using crates?
Are you joking pallets are expensive !! So your labour £220 average, 200 bricks, Muck is cheaper lol 😂
Not one comment yet is there a match I've missed 😳🔨
Stakker is too slow.
Your tiler is a rare gem! Please leave his details or make him wear a branded shirt. Your Electrician sucks! Those back boxes are way to low need to be 500mm up from that floor (450mm from finished floor minimim) and 400mm in from a corner (350mm finished)
Why bother with the bricks ?. They impart no strength ..and none is needed given it was in solid chalk. Whata a waste of effort/materials. just fill the hole with course gravel and be done with it
Crates are WELL OVER PRICED.
This is insanity! 1m³ of crates is £120, how much did it cost for all those bricks, probably atleast £1 each plus the muck, and half a day to concrete and build it, then how are you capping it? Got to ask yourself why we dont let the rain just pour out of the downpipes straight on the ground, it's because it can cause foundations to move, so why would you put a foundation IN a soakaway? Come on boys, drainage isn't your thing, stick to the carpentry vids 😉😉
I think maybe drainage isn't your thing either. In a driveway you need heavy duty crates so if you are putting in the cheapest you can find they won't take the load of a car. The foundation is there to take the load of a car parked on top. Not strictly necessary on chalk but it does no harm.
@@SkillBuilder ok, let's put our differences aside, try going to Willis or Civils & Lintels (buildbase I think they are now actually!) Travis are stupid expensive, they are a fair bit less if you have an account obviously, dropped from £80 ea. to £38inc VAT for the HD ones but I've found Buildbase are usually £22-£24inc VAT and they only stock the HD ones, Thetford branch anyway. Just out of curiosity, how did you cap the soakaway in the vid, biscuit and cast iron cover and frame?
Who doesn’t like it in the hole 🕳