Shared drainage needs careful planning. In apartment blocks and flats, one failing soakaway can affect several homes at once, often showing as slow-draining gullies, standing water near entrances, damp ground or unpleasant smells after heavy rain.

Proseptic provides practical soakaway installation and repair services for landlords, managing agents, freeholders, developers and residents’ management companies. We assess the site, identify the cause of the problem and recommend a solution that suits the building, ground conditions and level of use.

Soakaway Repairs for Shared Residential Sites

A soakaway may fail because of silt build-up, root damage, collapsed pipework, poor original design or ground that no longer drains effectively. For flats, the issue can be harder to trace because several downpipes, gullies and surface water channels may feed into the same system.

Where needed, we can inspect the drainage run with a CCTV survey before repair work starts. This helps confirm whether the issue sits in the pipework, the chamber, the soakaway crate system or the surrounding ground.

New Soakaway Installation for Flats

For new or replacement soakaways, we consider roof area, hardstanding, water volume, access, soil conditions and the position of nearby buildings. A properly designed system should move rainwater away from the block without overloading the ground or creating surface flooding.

Our work may include:

  • Site inspection and drainage layout checks
  • Trial holes or infiltration testing where appropriate
  • Removal of failed or unsuitable soakaway sections
  • Installation of replacement soakaway crates or drainage field components
  • Connection to existing surface water drainage
  • Reinstatement of affected ground or access areas

You can also view Proseptic’s wider soakaway services here.

Compliance and Sensible Drainage Advice

It is important to distinguish between rainwater soakaways and systems used for wastewater. GOV.UK guidance states that a soakaway designed for rainwater is not suitable for discharging septic tank effluent under the general binding rules; wastewater must use a compliant drainage field where discharge to ground is allowed.

For apartment blocks, this distinction matters. Surface water drainage, foul drainage and off-mains sewage systems should not be treated as the same problem. Where a site has a septic tank or sewage treatment plant, Proseptic can advise on surveys and compliance checks.

Clear Reporting for Managing Agents and Owners

We provide clear findings, practical recommendations and repair options that help decision-makers act without guesswork. Whether the site needs a localised repair, a replacement soakaway or further investigation, our aim is to keep the drainage safe, functional and appropriate for the property.

Support from survey to installation

Our team provides soakaway advice, installation and related drainage support across the South of England. For urgent drainage problems during the season, our callout service is also available.
You can also read more about our soakaway work here: proseptic.co.uk/drainage-services/soakaway-installation/.

Commercial Properties We Cover

We offer sewage treatment advice, repairs and installations for various commercial premises, including but not limited to:

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