Garden Drainage & Groundworks in Chichester

Why Chichester Gardens Often Need Drainage

The main causes of waterlogged gardens in the Chichester area include:

• High water table in coastal villages like Bosham, Fishbourne and Apuldram.
• Clay pockets around Tangmere, Oving and parts of North Chichester.
• Chalk layers that can create perched water tables when saturated.
• Flat gardens with little or no fall for surface run-off.
• New builds with compacted developer backfill soil.
• Roof water overspill onto lawns, beds and patios.

Common Symptoms of Poor Drainage

• Standing water for hours or days after rainfall.
• Boggy patches that never fully dry.
• Moss-dominated or thinning lawns.
• Sinking or uneven patios and paths.
• Soil erosion at edges and on slopes.
• Unpleasant smells from saturated ground.
• Green or black algae forming on hard surfaces.

Our Drainage Solutions

We tailor every installation to the soil type, garden levels and existing structures on your property. In many cases, the best result comes from combining several of the following approaches.

1. French Drains

French drains are ideal where water collects against structures or along boundaries:

• Along house walls and extensions.
• At the base of retaining walls.
• Garden boundaries and low points that constantly collect water.

They use perforated pipe wrapped in membrane and surrounded by clean stone, allowing water to be intercepted and redirected to a more suitable location or soakaway.

2. Soakaways

Where infiltration is possible, soakaways provide a discreet destination for surface water.

• Crate soakaways for maximum storage capacity.
• Stone soakaways for smaller properties or lighter loads.

They are best suited to sandy and chalk-based soils such as Fishbourne, Lavant, Goodwood and parts of Bosham.

3. Land Drains

Land drains are perfect for large lawns, paddocks or open spaces with widespread saturation. We typically install a network of perforated pipes arranged in runs across the lawn, feeding to a suitable outfall or soakaway.

4. Surface Water Channels

For patios, driveways and paths, we often specify:

• Linear channel drains at thresholds and low points.
• Gullies and collection points connected to drains or soakaways.
• Falls designed to direct water away from buildings and into safe collection zones.

When we design new driveways or patios, these channels are built into the layout from day one.

5. Ground Grading & Re-Profiling

Sometimes the most effective solution is simply reshaping the land. We adjust levels and create subtle gradients so that water moves where you want it to go, rather than sitting on the surface.

6. Soil Conditioning for Clay Areas

In Tangmere, Oving and heavier clay pockets we often combine drainage with soil improvement:

• Gypsum to help break up clay structure.
• Organic matter to improve soil biology and long-term permeability.
• Surface aeration and decompaction to re-open the top layer.

Drainage Solutions by Area

• Bosham: High water table → French drains, shallow channels and careful choice of planting.
• Fishbourne: Coastal sandy soils → soakaways and crate systems are often ideal.
• Tangmere: Heavy clay → Type 3 sub-base beneath hard landscaping plus land drains in lawns.
• Lavant: Chalk slopes → soakaways combined with re-levelling to prevent rapid run-off.
• Goodwood / Westhampnett: Elevated slopes → controlled run-off with swales, channels and terracing.
• Donnington / Hunston: Lower-lying plots → crate soakaways, French drains and, in some cases, staged discharge via channels.

What Good Drainage Prevents

• Patio and driveway sinking or heave.
• Lawn destruction and constant mud patches.
• Soil erosion on banks and around retaining walls.
• Moss and algae over hard landscaping.
• Frost damage to paving and walls.
• Damp issues at the base of house walls and outbuildings.

FAQ: Garden Drainage in Chichester

Why is my garden always waterlogged?

Common causes include high water tables in coastal areas, clay pockets that trap water, compacted developer backfill on newer estates and gardens with little or no fall. A site visit allows us to confirm which of these is affecting your garden and design an appropriate drainage system.

Do I always need a soakaway to fix drainage problems?

Not always. Soakaways work best in sandy or chalk-based soils. In heavier clay areas around Tangmere or Oving, we often rely more on land drains, French drains and re-profiling levels to move water to suitable discharge points rather than trying to force it into the ground.

Will new drainage help protect my patio and driveway?

Yes. Correct drainage reduces saturation beneath hard surfaces, helping to prevent sinking, frost heave and algae growth. We design drainage and hard landscaping together so that patios, driveways, retaining walls and lawn areas all work as one system.

Can you combine drainage work with a full garden redesign?

Absolutely. Many of our projects in Chichester start with drainage and groundworks, then move on to new patios, paths, lawns, planting and lighting. Designing everything together usually delivers the best long-term performance and value, especially for complete garden rebuilds.

Areas We Cover

Chichester · Fishbourne · Bosham · Lavant · Tangmere · Oving · Donnington · Hunston · Westhampnett · Goodwood · Apuldram · South Downs villages

Need Drainage Work in Chichester?

We design garden drainage systems that address the root cause of water problems, not just the symptoms, and integrate them with your wider landscaping plans.

Book a Drainage Assessment

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