About Rainsmart Ellipse Soakaway Crates

Manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic, Rainsmart storm crates are buried beneath earth, gravel and other permeable materials which create a void space underground with the purpose of holding rainwater or surface water run-off. Designed for use beneath low-intensity domestic surfaces such as small driveways or landscaped areas, these storm crates can help protect your home and garden against the effects of rain, storms and flooding. These easy to assemble, modular crates can be stacked and stood side by side to create larger soakaway areas but before the area has been filled around the crates, we recommend connecting to neighbouring crates using cable ties. To assemble an Ellipse soakaway crate we recommend the use of a rubber mallet which will help when connecting the structure together by applying enough pressure to create a strong crate but will not be too forceful as to break them.

The crate configuration can either be used to hold water indefinitely and used as a rainwater harvesting tank or for attenuation purposes, whereby water is held temporarily until it can permeate through the crate and membrane and into the ground below. Each crate will hold up to 119 litres of water, meaning that small and large, hidden underground tanks can be created quickly and relatively easily with no need for mechanised lifting or specialist skills or tools.

Although the two different types of storm crate installations do not vary much, in terms of the finished product they could not be more different. Infiltration systems are installed underground and use pipes to collect surface water and a permeable membrane is wrapped around each crate. The collected water is then slowly released into the ground below at an acceptable rate to ensure it does not overwhelm and cause surface water build up or localised flooding. This is done whilst also preventing the ingress of soil or sand particles which could otherwise lead to waterlogged ground and potential floods. On the other hand, water storage systems are again installed underground and use pipes to collect as much water as possible but a non-permeable membrane is wrapped around these crates to prevent any water from escaping. The collected water can then be reused however you wish from powering water features, as reserves in case of drought or just watering your flowers.

If you require more information on our crates or need some advice to help you decide which is the best product for your needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Call or LiveChat to a member of our team during office hours or leave us a message.