Soakaway marker installation in Exeter
Professional soakaway marker installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Soakaway marker post installed - permanent visible marker showing exactly where your drainage system is. Meets building control requirements, stops accidental damage during groundworks.
Know Where Your Drains Are
A soakaway marker post is one of those boring-but-essential things - building control requires them for new systems, and they save you digging into your own drainage field by accident years later when you've forgotten where it is.
💡 Pro tip: Mark your septic tank, distribution box, AND soakaway ends if you've got a full system - knowing the whole layout saves headaches when maintenance is needed.
Why Permanent Markers Matter
Because memory fades, properties change hands, and nobody wants to dig through their drainage field.
| ✅ Marked Properly | ❌ No Markers |
|---|---|
| Know exactly where soakaway is | Digging blind, hoping for the best |
| Meets building control | Installation not signed off |
| Protects during groundworks | Accidental damage, expensive repairs |
| Future owners know layout | Mystery drains, problems waiting |
What You Get
🔧 Simple Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position check | Soakaway location confirmed |
| Post install | Marker driven/dug in solidly |
| Finish | Visible cap/paint applied if needed |
📦 Job Done
- Permanent visible marker
- Meets regulations
- Protects your drainage
- One less thing to worry about
Pricing
Soakaway marker installation: £60 (minimum callout)
Time: 15-30 minutes per marker
Multiple markers? I'll do them all in the same visit - adds about 10-15 mins each.
Perfect If You Need To...
✅ Get building control sign-off - required for new drainage installations
✅ Protect existing drains - stop accidental damage during other work
✅ Know your layout - property records unclear or missing
✅ Prepare for sale - buyers want to know where drainage is
Why Choose Us for Soakaway marker installation in Exeter?
Know exactly where soakaways are
Avoid damage during digging work
Required for building control
Permanent visible marker
What to Expect
Step 1: Location Confirmation
You show me exactly where the marker needs to go (over soakaway, tank, or drainage point). If there's specific height or style needed for building control, we'll confirm that.
Step 2: Installation
Quick hole dug, post driven/set in firmly, checked it's solid and visible. Paint or cap applied if required.
Step 3: Done
Marker in place, position noted if you want documentation. Building control happy, you know where your drains are.
🔧 DIY Tips
Installing a soakaway marker yourself is straightforward:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Treated timber post (4x4 or similar)
- Post hole digger or spade
- Mallet or post rammer
- Paint (bright colour) or marker cap
- Spirit level
📐 Installation process
- Locate soakaway/drainage point exactly
- Dig hole 18-24 inches deep
- Set post vertical, check with spirit level
- Backfill and compact firmly
- Paint top bright colour or fit marker cap
✂️ Marker types
- Simple painted post top (orange/yellow visible)
- Plastic marker caps (clip on, weatherproof)
- Engraved posts (fancy but permanent)
- Multiple colours for different services
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Post not deep enough (falls over or leans)
- Placed in wrong spot (defeats the purpose!)
- Not visible colour (point is to see it easily)
- Too short (can't see in long grass)
💡 Pro trick: Keep marker posts at least 4ft high - visible year-round even in long grass or rough ground. Short posts disappear and become useless.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
📍 Multiple services? Different colours for different underground services (soakaway, water, electric, etc.) is standard practice - makes life easier for everyone.
Building control: Check what they require before installing - some want specific heights, colours, or information on the marker. Getting it right first time saves having to do it twice.
Maintenance access: Position markers so they don't block access routes but are still clearly visible. You need to find them when emptying septic tanks or doing drainage work.
Property records: Take photos and measurements from fixed points (corners of buildings, boundaries) after installing markers. Helps if markers ever get damaged or removed.
While I'm there: If you need other small jobs doing (gate adjustments, fence repairs, rural oddments), combining them saves the callout fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a soakaway marker?
Building control requires them for new installations, and they stop you (or contractors) digging into your drainage system by accident. Knowing where your soakaway is matters when you're planning extensions, landscaping, or any groundworks.
What type of marker do you install?
Usually a treated timber post with a visible cap or painted top - simple, permanent, does the job. Some people want specific colours or styles to match other markers on their property. I can work with whatever you've got or advise what's standard.
How deep does the marker post go?
Deep enough to be solid - typically 18-24 inches in the ground. Needs to stay put when mowers hit it or stock rub against it. Quick job but it needs doing properly.
Can you mark multiple drainage points?
Yes - septic tank, soakaway, distribution box, inspection chambers - whatever needs marking. If you're getting building control sign-off or just want to know where everything is, I can mark the lot.
What if I don't know exactly where my soakaway is?
That's trickier - I can install markers once you've located it (trial holes, ground-penetrating radar, drainage plans), but finding buried soakaways isn't my specialty. Local drainage contractors can help with that first step.
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