Background

Soakwells are designed to direct storm water underground, so that it can drain away naturally and not flood concreted or paved areas.

More Information

Soakwells can be made of concrete or plastic and should be wrapped in Geo-fabric at the time of installation. This prevents sand surrounding the buried soakwell leaching into the slots in the wall of the soakwell, which occurs after heavy winter rains.  See the image below (slots highlighted in yellow). It is the disappearance of this sand into the soakwell void, which causes the surrounding pavers to sink and become a trip hazard.

The images below show a concrete soakwell being correctly installed - wrapped in Geo-fabric.

Solutions

If the soakwell has been installed without Geofabric - the surrounding pavers may sink, over time. They can be repaired with more sand being packed underneath, but the situation will continue to occur. 

A more permanent fix can be retrospectively carried out. This will involve the soakwell being exposed, cleaned out, and all the slots in the soakwell wall being filled with cement. The surrounding sand is then re-compacted and the area can be re-paved. The soakwell will drain only through its base in future. This option will cost upwards of $1000 per soakwell.