Moving earth is always so much more demanding than anticipated! Another really interesting project, well done Keith and Aiden 👏

Nice work, it definitely looked like hard graft. And well supervised by Mickey and Hazel, much to the utter delight of my seven year-old daughter! Good on Aiden for helping out too.

Great job ❤ Before you get rid of that free sand, if you got lawn it might be a good top dressing ( or whatever gardeners call it )

That’s one large soak away ! , great job and it’s nice to see people take pride in their DIY projects

Great video! As a drainage engineer I thought I would add a couple of comments. You’re correct with the 5m rule with regards to building regs, but I would add two points. 1. This should also apply with 5m to the boundary as a courtesy to any neighbours. You hit sand so in your case i would hope it’s not critical, but the fact you had gravel disappearing on the old soakaway does make me wonder if there is some dissolution going on?! . If anyone reading this is on chalks, notably low density chalks, I’ve had sites where the geotechnical engineer has required 20m from foundations/roads/boundarys! It’s worth noting soakaways only work where the soil conditions are suitable, if your in London clay for example there’s no real chance they’ll work. Like you say, you can check with a drainage (civil) engineer - another cheaper option is to check planning applications in your area, big sites will often have full drainage strategies which should have onsite soak away testing which will confirm its viable.

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

I'm pretty sure it's not 5m to a boundary. From memory it was 2.5m?

@sirhoggit

9 ай бұрын

@@RagnBoneBrown On the face of it 2.5m makes sense, and ive seen some guidance from certain councils noting this, and other which don't even mention the boundary easement at all, but should a neighbour extend their property in the future this can lead to foundations within the 5m easment (and as I've said, 5m is a minimum and could be more subject to consultation with geotechnical engineer). Therefore the 5m easement to the site boundary is best practise and from my experience the Lead Local Flood Authorities who review planning applications (normally above a certain size) within each local authority will only accept 5m as a result. I dont want to come across critical as your in a retrofit situation where you've clearly improved what was there and what functioned reasonable well for a number of decades. Standards are always progressing, and with a lot of home projects its completely impracticable to bring everything in line with modern best practise, but I thought my comments could be something to consider if a fellow viewer was looking to do something similar.

@gwynroberson198

3 ай бұрын

​@@sirhoggit this is pretty much why new houses and refurbs are unaffordable. Constantly increasing compliance costs. From experience I have taken on local authority housing where new doors have been cut into supporting walls without lintels causing no end of roof problems, driveway drain covers have been replaced with a15 rated covers as they were cheaper. Fence posts put through shared rainwater drains Please can local authority get it's own house in order before making life more difficult for those that do know what they are doing.

@lokent6592

Ай бұрын

@@sirhoggit I really appreciated your insight here. I think that as you say given the existing situation they did the best they can, but I think it also highlights where if you clearly have some existing subsidance I would never want to chance it and do a DIY job. It surely wouldnt cost the earth to get an engineer to give it a once over and you could still do the work yourself after that.

@darrenpodger7294

22 күн бұрын

He needed a soak away and did a neat job well done doing it your self and not hiring any company to do it for you , you saved a mint

Love it ! I have a mate for doing that, no machines required ! the problem is to stop him digging, he seems to like it ! The crate thing works, but is no better in function than a properly constructed soak-away , just lots quicker.

Great job the two of you did and well done to you for all that barrowing of soil and gravel, it was exhausting just watching! Thanks for the glimpses of the cats, too!

I continue to find it fascinating to see how things are done in the UK as opposed to here in the USA. A bonus is seeing it done by someone who knows what they’re doing. Give the cats a neck scratch for me.

@drahcir6590

3 ай бұрын

In what way would you do it differently?

What a day! I was really interested in this one as we also have a problem with water, in our case coming from a neighbouring property, down a slope, but honestly Keith I don’t think we could manage it ourselves and after seeing your slog, I now don’t think we’ll try. Really impressed with your solution. Great video.👏🏼🌟

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Thanks Mandy. We have a similar issue here, we have the lowest house on the street and lower than the road too so we seem to get everyone else's water! 🤣 really should have considered that when we bought the place but one of those things that you don't know until you know...

Great job Keith. Had to do something similar. I had to move a 2000 litre tank for the rain water and connect it to something similar to your crates. In my case it was a tunnel made in a way that once placed underground you could drive a car over it. Very sturdy construction and quite smart considering it was made from plastic. Had to dig out a channel 1.5m deep 80cm wide and 14 meters long for that tunnel. 6 tons of gravel went on the bottom, same as you used the fabric to coat the gravel and the tunnel. On top of the gravel the tunnel was placed (the tunnel itself can hold 2000 liters of rain water) and on top of that 50cm of soil. Had a digger to dig everything up and it was a big one lol. However the gravel and then moving the mountain of soil was done by me and some help from my dad. It was bloody hard work so I know exactly how you felt. Good job mate.

I really appreciate the measurements you included with this video, the depth, pipe depth, coverage depth on top etc. I'm too going to be tackling this job in the near future also and of all the soakaway videos I have watched in the past few months, they all skim over the actual measurements needed. Great job there.

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@davidward5607

3 ай бұрын

Most people say you shouldn't use washing up liquid as a pipe lubricant. It supposedly rots the seals. Use proper pipe lubricant

This was a really useful tutorial, full of the information needed to do the job properly. Nice one matey.

Fantastic work, well edited and produced video. Very informative. Thank you

Really enjoyable Keith. It's great when you know someone who knows what they are doing. Looks like your cats were exhausted watching. I bet you were aching the day after. 👍Tony

Glad You got it done , surprised you did it in 1day. You chose about hottest time of year Todo it !! Great having Aiden's assistance/direction.grwat fun using digger ...😊😅.

Aiden is a good guy to know. Came up with some good ideas. Good teamwork guys.

I wish I could afford that number plate 😂 had an awesome day playing with the digger 🙌

Watched Aiden's video last night. Needless to say I have both o ye on tap. Deffo a back breaker. Nice to have help. Take care & stay safe.

Great job! I’m installing some French drains soon so kind of a mini version of this!

Your work is extremely good! I have learnt soo much, thank you.

Great job. Good of Aiden to help - he has a great channel.

I can’t understand why you’re video Channel has not got more people viewing you always give clear advice and your friend Aiden keep them coming 😊👍👏👏

I enjoy your videos so much every time I see you have posted a new one I am chuffed haha, amazing job yet again cheers Keith 👍🏼

Great job. Love this kind of stuff. Digging is murder, fair play to you. Love your channel, cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪

Fantastic, Keith! You guys killed it! Really well done! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Brilliant well done hard graft but very worth it.

That was good value and all that lovely sand too.

Really interesting watching this project from start to finish Thanks

Brilliant video gents, really enjoyed it. I was shattered just watching 😂😂

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Cheers Leo

Nice work guys Thanks for sharing the video with us!💖😎👍JP

Great video and a really interesting project. Not one I will need to take undertake where I am due to the massive balancing pond in the park opposite which handles all our storm water, but my mother's soakaway will need attention soon and I'll be sure to find a contractor for that! Coincidentally I was watching Aiden's french drain videos last night - great channel as you say.

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Cheers Karl 👌

Wow Keith, that was a very intimidating project, well done!

Very informative.

A follow-up video in a few years time would be useful to report on any issues that might crop up. I'm thinking settling of the gravel over such a large area might cause problems for any pavers laid above.

Hard work there Keith, come in handy that mini JCB and help from Aiden. You have done an amazing job mate well done👍

Nice to see a proper job done

It was without a doubt tidious and hard work but I'm sure it was worth it. First regarding cost and 2nd cause you know how it has been done (it's not always a good job unfortunately when we hire professionals...). Now you're good for at least a couple of years to come so well done! Amazing work and help from Aiden. I will check out his channel. And always nice to see Mickie and Hazel in your videos ❤

Good job mate and very well explained 👍

Great work!!!

Aiden is epic. Best crossover

Well-done bud - really, really impressive!

Great job, well done. Just done similar for granddaughter, but am ‘Billy NoMates’ so did it on my own, with pick and shovel! Regrettably met shillet, not soft sand, so tough job at age 74. But certainly got a sense of satisfaction when shovelling last bit of top soil over the crates. Needless to say took more than one day. Just hope it works! Look forward to more of your projects.

@RagnBoneBrown

7 ай бұрын

Nice work!

Exhausted just looking you do it. Well done

Great video ! Well done

Did some serious earthworks a few months ago while terracing a portion of garden, a friend advised on hiring a power barrow on day two and my god, was that good advice!!

Brilliant job and great video

Good job chaps. Another great video.

Good job you two. 💪

Superb and hard job. You looked tired at the end of the video, we understand. Super entertaining video as always. I’ve been watching you the last five years, or more, from Spain. Cheers from the sunny south.

Hi Keith. No doubtvat all, mate, that was a blockbuster project! Sometimes , we wonder how we ever do these jobs. In your case, you did it , with no real need to have that particular battle ever again! Well done. Don

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Cheers Don

brilliant job 👌

That was very enjoyable to watch and your honesty will, I’m sure, aid others considering tackling such a job themselves. You both did a great job which will benefit your home over the years. Stay are x

Another great project!

I have been following Aidan for a while now and a Good job done guys, D

Bloody good job 👍

I think it was when you stared cementing the drains in that I had a 'flashback-ish' moment to scenes of a chap in a little shed at the bottom of his garden. Boy how things have come on since then, eh Keith? A super video of; tough work, someone has to do it, and releif & satisfaction in a vital job, well done. 💯my friend. (And cheers to Aiden for his KZread camaraderie - I must pop over and see what he's made of this project)

A Great Job well done !

One day ! You guys rock !

Awesome job 👍

Great video, I plan to do this some point this summer.

This was a really good watch Keith. I did this on my parents bungalow about 15 years ago, the original soakaway being about 1.2 meters from the property and woefully undersized. I didnt know about those types of crates back then so had loads of large stone delivered. But the process was the same, using the membrane etc. so it was nice to have confirmation of what I have done was right. The room in the corner of the bungalow was so damp but soon dried out so it was definitely worth doing.

@brian-jv9bt

6 ай бұрын

Keith aiden, go to Library ,construction drainage. You've just wasted time money all that hard graft, when the solution is a part of the house.

great job!

Wow for a diyer you have all best tools, more tools then a trade man

Wonderful video.

Hi Keith, you should of hired small tracked wheel barrow - we’ve used them on a few jobs (filling skips etc) and they are perfect compliment to 1/2T mini digger - each bucket takes equivalent of 5 wheelbarrows

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Yeah I think I've seen Stuart at Proper DIY use one. Would have been great!

Seriously what is going on?! Everything you upload is always 3 months ahead of what I'm planning 😂 this has been very useful as a hints & tips/do's n don'ts by using you as my Guinea pig

@stevebettany8778

9 ай бұрын

You are buying lottery tickets while this is going on of course?

@TheWebstaff

9 ай бұрын

​@@stevebettany8778😂

@Bart-Did-it

6 ай бұрын

YT algorithm 😉 👍

@karmadel786

6 ай бұрын

😂 'I love it when a plan comes together'

@MrSmid888

6 ай бұрын

Wait till he burns the gaff down 😂

More excellent content, always ready to help a fellow woodworker 😊

A percolation test would be a prudent move to establish whether the ground is suitable for draining into .

@markrainford1219

2 ай бұрын

They were on sand!

Interesting project! I did something similar last year.....should have done a video.... I put in a 50 gallon drum and a sump pump and I now pump the water out to the street. This would mean that your soakaway would last forever!

Great video. Our house was extended at some point, so the soakaway is only now maybe only 1.5m from the back of the house. No idea why the didnt move it, discovered it when the insurers sent someone round to deal with a blockage in the pipe that leads to the soakaway! Need it moving but like you, our grass area of the garden is raised so can probably only move it another 1m before we reach that. Was going to attempt it myself, think I'll hire someone in!

Proper Days graft that Keith!! Great video man 👌

Oh cool, your wheelbarrow has the same "Squeaky Wheel" sound enhancement pack installed on it as mine!

Great video!😊

Really interesting project, well done Keith and Aiden 👏 Oh and I liked the Cat pics. ;)

It can be so easy to underestimate how taxing some jobs are! You guys did a great job!

Good day of work! The results will be good for more than a decade I reckon. I don't know if the UK has these style of automatic leaf "sieves" or if you have any trees putting any amount of leafs on your roof (and into the pipes) buy searching for 🇸🇪 "självrens lövsil" will get you pictures of what they are. Very nice to have, it's a one time job to fit and you never run the risk of clogged pipes. Extra security for vacation houses or similar when you don't visit during long periods.

Nice job!

That was a lot of work for one day, well done Keith, and how great that Aiden came over to help you out - top bloke, and a great channel too ! I can't believe what beautiful sand you had there just a few feet down, what a handy resource, you could have your own quarry - you'll be alright for a sand pit for baby Brown ! I have been considering doing one of these myself, but I think I should have done it years ago before all our tress got established as I think the roots would make it a nightmare !

Proper job that

Good job, thanks. I'll be doing similar shortly but with an easier way to get rid of the soil! For our downpipes I got some leaf traps, they collect a lot of leaves, moss etc etc which means it doesn't end up in the soakaways plus they're really easy to clean out. Just FYI, I'm putting up a carport with 100m2 roof area, building control advised we needed 1m3 soakaway but that might be as our ground is even sandier than yours :D

Great job love it. Gave me some ideas for out my back lol Keep up the get work. Bet you sleep well that night lol 😂

Few blisters after that day😂

Good job Keith. Hell of a task for 2 in a day! Never was happy when I got roped into groundworks - for precisely the reason mention - being absolutely fu%$#d at the end😂

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Yeah I don't know how people do it every day....!!

Started my working life at 13 as a groundworker. Absolutely loved it... but, it is literally the hardest work you could ever do. My spine was shot to bits by the time I was 27 though. Retrained as a surveyor. Much, much easier. 😂

I know , how hard its been to get it done. but great job 👍

That was a great video, you certainly could have used another lad to help (but I find that unless you’re doing it at the weekend lads are usually in short supply) cost wise without the 20 man hours @£50 per hour labour charge your parts costs were brilliant and I’m in no doubt that job would have been around £3k from a contractor as no one seems to want to come out for less these days! Thanks for sharing buddy!

Jolly good job. Before plastic crates were the norm i built a soakaway , bought some manhole rings and a cover set two door lintels across the base to rest the rings on lined the sides of the hole with plastic sheeting and backfilled with large rocks and added a manhole cover. Jobs a goodun 20 years later and i can still go down the manhole and clear our silt of which there is very little. I do like the idea of having access to inspect and desilt.

@rumtumbugger

5 ай бұрын

I've done mini versions using old milk - crates - work like a charm. I wrapped them in permeable membrane and connected via orange piping - so quite good to come on here and see I actually guessed it all fairly correctly.

Great channel!!

Well done!! to calculate the size of a soak-away, you need to know the hydraulic conductivity of the soil. You hit sand; so you are OK!!

I am amazed at how long that you lasted on the business end of that shovel and behind that little wheel barrow. Shovel work is some of the most demanding labor that a man can do and most regular guys just can't last all day like you did. Thanks for the video. As always, I enjoyed watching you problem solve and complete this task.

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

What a brilliant vid , most enjoyable. Yes your right another person would have helped. But you did a brilliant job anyway.

Thanks

It's not a job I reckon I could do Keith but if it came to it, I'd definitely turn to your advice through your videos mate. Splendid job 😉

@RagnBoneBrown

9 ай бұрын

Thank you

a job im looking to do myself. hopper is an inverted cone type shape to aid the flow of material.

bloody well done! give me a shout next time you do it Keith

Great job, as always. Have you had any serious rain since it would be great to see the water disappear into the soak away

All the bodies fit! YAY!!!!!!!😂😂😂

Amazing job, well done. I’m looking at digging similar in our back garden next year. Out of interest: do you have an estimate on the cost from a builder rather than doing it yourself? Interesting to help workout the cost vs back breakingness.

I am so envious of your sand! My property is clay and rocks, all the way down .... 😭

Great job and super educative video, thanls for sharing all this with the comunity! Sand at 600mm...not so good news if you ask a geotechnicall engineer I reckon?. That might explain your gravel never stop sinking