Soakaways require very little maintenance but to ensure they continue to function properly, here are a few things that you can do on a regular basis:
- Inspect the area to look for signs of clogging such as soggy ground or water pooling.
- Keep inlets clear of debris, such as leaves and sticks, as well as deposits of snow and ice during the colder seasons. Consider adding a filter to the end of your eavestroughs or at the inlet of the trench to prevent debris from entering the soakaway.
- Remove excess sediment and leaf buildup from the soakaway’s surface at least twice a year.
If you topped your soakaway with soil and plants, you’ll also need to:
- Ensure the soakaway has a healthy cover of plants by removing weeds by hand and watering plants during their first year and dry periods. If you have covered your soakaway with grass instead, keep it dense by overseeding every year.
- Maintain a 5-8cm (2-3 inches) layer of hardwood mulch around the plants to protect the soil below. Less mulch will be needed over time as the plants grow and fill in the garden.
- Maintain a layer of stones around the inlet and overflow area to prevent soil erosion caused by water flow. Use stones that are large enough that they won’t wash or shift during heavy rains.