Gutter Mate Keeps your Soakaway Healthy
Prevent Flooding, Protect your Soakaway
What is a soakaway? Simply put, it is a type of 'infiltration device', which is an easy way of
dispersing surface and storm water. Soakaways enable storm water to be dealt with at the source, rather than burdening our sewer systems.
Most UK water companies would prefer us to use soakaways in order to avoid excessive amounts of water washing into the
main drainage system and ending up in the sewage treatment works. In storm conditions, there have been many instances where
the sheer amount of water has overwhelmed the sewage treatment works, which has resulted in the water company having to dump
the storm water and untreated sewage into the nearest river, creating serious pollution.
Even if there is no actual flooding, the cost of treating rain water in a sewage treatment works is very high,
whereas by using a soakaway, the rain water simply goes into the ground.
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Potential Problems
Despite its obvious benefits, soakaways can cause problems if not properly cared for. If a soakaway is inadequately protected,
it will eventually become filled with the debris washed down the drainpipe.
It's hardly surprising that no-one gives any attention to the protection or maintenance of their soakaway
until it blocks and causes localised flooding; unfortunately, the cost of cleaning or replacing your soakaway
and dealing with the effects of flooding in your yard or garden could run into hundreds of pounds and the inconvenience
could last for days.
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Gutter Mate - The Ideal Companion
The Gutter Mate Filter is the ideal companion to go with the installation of a new or refurbished soakaway.
Filtering all the rainwater going down the drainpipe, the Gutter Mate Filter is fitted three to four feet above ground level in the
downpipe, which means you can regularly remove, clean and re-fit the basket back into the filter without the need of a ladder.
By cleaning the Gutter Mate Filter on regular occasions, it will eradicate the problem of debris blocking the filter,
replacing the soakaway and localised flooding and its repercussions.
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Extreme Weather
In extreme weather conditions it is necessary to maintain the filter to prevent blockage, especially if you
have a lot of moss and leaves getting into your guttering.
If you fit the Guttermate filter we recommend if you have a bell or balloon type strainer in the top of
your downpipe that you remove it and allow the rainwater to wash the debris down the downpipe into the
Gutter Mate filter.
Extreme weather conditions create very testing conditions for the filter, cleaning is still the same
time and procedure.
The fact there is no blockage in the guttering and the overflow takes place at the filter saves
the weight of water having to be supported by the guttering, which can in certain circumstances rip the guttering
off the property.
If there was no filter in place all this debris would be washed into your Soakaway or Drain.
If either of these were to block the cost of clearing would be many times the cost of the filter.
It is normally a building regulation requirement now that new property developments have a Soakaway,
it is a very wise move to invest in a Gutter Mate Filter to prevent the blockage of your Soakaways or Drains.