Remove any surface debris, leaves, and silt from the gully pot where the downpipe enters the drain, using a small shovel or scoop.
| Measure | Frequency | |---------|-----------| | Install silt trap or catch pit before soakaway | One-time | | Clean gutters and downpipes | Annually | | Divert kitchen greywater away from soakaway (use separate grease trap) | If possible | | Avoid planting trees within 10m of soakaway | N/A | | Apply bacterial restorer | Every 6–12 months (for effluent soakaways) | | Visual inspection after heavy rain | Seasonally | how to unblock a soakaway
If the issue is caused by silt, leaves, or minor root infiltration, you may be able to clear it. 1. Locate the Rodding Point Remove any surface debris, leaves, and silt from
Blocked inlet/outlet pipes leading to soakaway. Locate the Rodding Point Blocked inlet/outlet pipes leading
Find the inspection chamber or rodding point, usually located where the drainpipe leaves the house and travels toward the soakaway. 2. Manual Removal
If unblocking fails due to soil panning or root mass: