The Problem
In the year 2010 Mr Hodgson approached Allerton with a problem: When it had been raining, water entered the cellar from the floor and walls, causing a flood 6 inches deep. The cause was a high water table in the Sleaford area.
About Sleaford
Sleaford is built on the boundary of the Lincolnshire Edge. The River Slea starts 3 miles from Sleaford, from a line of springs. It is not called Boiling Wells Farm for nothing. Sometimes it is dry, sometimes a raging torrent of beautifully clear water.
Solution
Back to the cellar; Jon Allerton had extensive knowledge of how water behaves under ground based on his experience draining farmers fields. This was a problem caused by the local water table being too high, affected by seasonal rains.
To solve the flooding, a hole was dug nearly a metre deep and a GRP pump chamber installed. A pump chamber is usually watertight but in this case we did the opposite. The chamber had holes drilled into the vertical side and was placed on a concrete base and surrounded with single sized gravel and then concreted flush with the floor.
Before the cover was placed a small pump was installed and connected to a pipe line fixed to the cellar wall going up to ground level and then into the nearby storm drain.
Result
Ten years later it’s still working well and Mr Hodgson has expressed great delight in the way his cellar is now always usable whatever the weather! No more damaged stores, and no more paddling!
Summary
Another job well done!
As you can see, although Allerton are sewage specialists, we tackle all kinds of jobs. Check out our website to see all the services we offer, or contact our knowledgeable team to see how we can help you!
FAQ
Q: What is a pump chamber?
A: A pump chamber is used to distribute wastewater and sewage to the main sewage system. If there is not a sewage system, then the waste will pump to a sewage treatment facility such as a septic tank system. This will then be discharged in line with local Environmental Agency laws and the General Binding Rules.
Q: What does GRP stand for?
A: Glass Reinforced Plastic, also known as Fibreglass or composite plastic.
Q: How often does a septic tank need emptying?
A: As a rule, once a year for the average household. It depends on the size of the septic tank and how many people are using it. Two years is possible, depending on the size of the septic tank. If the frequency is more than once a year, it is usually because a soakaway has failed and that shouldn’t be happening. Check out this table about the pros and cons of septic tanks. Frequent emptying can be quite expensive. You can also learn more about septic tank issues in this blog post: Septic Tank Problems.
Q: Are there septic tanks that don’t need emptying?
A. No. All septic tanks should be emptied to protect the soakaway! Read the section about septic tank emptying on our Septic Tank and Soakaway Problems page for more information.
Q: Can rain water go into a septic tank?
A: NO, heavy rain can wash all the stored solids into the soakaway or ditch or block the ConSept.
