Garden Drainage Renovation | Burnley

Before and After

• Before: The garden suffered from extremely poor drainage, likely due to compacted soil and local ground conditions. After rainfall, water would sit on or just below the surface, turning the entire lawn into a swampy, unusable bog. This made it impossible for the homeowners to use their garden for recreation or for the grass to grow healthily.
• After: The garden has been completely reclaimed. Thanks to the extensive underground drainage network, the lawn now remains firm and dry underfoot, even after heavy rain. The space has been transformed from a liability into a vulnerable asset, providing a huge, stable area for the family to enjoy all year round.

Project Steps

1. System Design & Trenching 
   • The project began with the strategic excavation of a network of deep trenches across the entire lawn. A mini-digger was used to create channels, all designed to fall towards a central collection point, ensuring that water from every part of the garden would be effectively captured. 
2. High-Capacity Soakaway Construction
   • The heart of the new system is a large, custom-built soakaway. We excavated a pit measuring 1m x 1m  and 1m deep. This pit was then lined with a heavy-duty, permeable geotextile membrane before being filled with high-capacity soakaway crates. These crates create a large, underground void that can hold a massive volume of water, allowing it to dissipate slowly and naturally into the surrounding subsoil.
3. Land Drain Installation
   • We laid specialist perforated land drain piping along the full length of every trench. Each pipe was wrapped in a geotextile “sock” membrane. This crucial step allows water to enter the pipes freely while preventing the fine particles of soil and silt from getting in and causing blockages over time.
4. Gravel Backfill & Connection
   • All the land drain pipes were carefully connected and channelled into the main soakaway pit. The trenches were then completely backfilled with permeable drainage gravel. This gravel surround allows groundwater to move easily out of the soil and into the perforated pipes, effectively turning the entire network into a highly efficient French drain system.
5. Lawn Reinstatement
   • Once the underground system was complete and the trenches were backfilled, the entire garden was re-levelled. A thick layer of quality topsoil was spread over the surface, which was then seeded to create a brand new, healthy lawn, now sitting on a solid, well-drained foundation.

Client Feedback

“Our garden was a nightmare, always wet and muddy. We couldn’t use it. The team came in and installed this incredible drainage system. The difference is unbelievable. We finally have our garden back! It’s firm, dry, and the grass has never looked better. We are so grateful for their hard work and expertise.”

Conclusion

The result is a complete solution to a very challenging problem. While the hard work is now invisible, its effect is profound. The garden’s chronic waterlogging issue has been permanently solved. The lawn is now firm, healthy, and resilient, providing a vast and valuable outdoor space for the homeowners to use and enjoy, whatever the weather.

Why Choose Meadow Drives?

Meadow Drives is committed to providing high-quality solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our team of experts uses only the best materials and construction techniques to deliver stunning and durable results. From initial consultation to final implementation, we work closely with our clients to ensure their complete satisfaction.

Get in Touch

If you’re looking to improve your property’s infrastructure with a new driveway, contact Meadow Drives today. Our expert team is ready to assist you with all your construction needs. Visit our contact page, email us on info@meadowdrives.co.uk call us at 07731 664476 to schedule a consultation.