When I decided to kickstart the project, I turned to Nairaland to gather experiences from experts and previous building projects and to prepare my budget.

So after completion, I decided to add to the wealth of info here (especially 2020 prices) for others.

Best time for building a soakaway is January when the harmattan is max

Challenges faced include limited space (2ft from main building and a low fence), filled up pit (full of clothings, iron and other refuses) that must be excavated and evacuated.
The top of the soakaway would be a drive-in car park and a sit out veranda, therefore need for good reinforcement (iron, granite and good mix)

We start

limited space for a 10x8 soakaway, 12ft depth
on an abandoned fill up pit

Following

2-day planned digging became 4 days because of cave-ins, excavation of clothing and discarded household materials.
We decided to reduce the depth to 10 (to avoid the building side from caving in as well) and stepped the septic side of the hole

Day 3:
While digging was ongoing, materials were already on site
Granite (4 ton), 6" solid blocks (300), sharp sand (full tipper), cement and water supply

Rods and planks also available (not on the pics)

Day 5:
Block work starts
This pics shows the part of the filled up pit with clothing still hanging out. It was difficult to dig through

Day 6:
Coming up from the ground

The formwork for the cross beam to be done later

Day 7:

Cross beam set and blockwork completed on Day 8

Day 9:

For those wondering, where the hell are the pillars?

The idea was to set a basket and pour the pillars at each corners so that the top weight would be solely on the pillars and independent of the block works to carry the weight of the car
y16 rods will bear the weight

Good

Day: 11

Top slab formwork starts

Work extended to 2 days as we ran out of plank and rod (extra one each)

Day 13: Soakaway/septic delivered

ITbomb:
When I decided to kickstart the project, I turned to Nairaland to gather experiences from experts and previous building projects and to prepare my budget.

So after completion, I decided to add to the wealth of info here (especially 2020 prices) for others.

Best time for building a soakaway is January when the harmattan is max

Challenges faced include limited space (2ft from main building and a low fence), filled up pit (full of clothings, iron and other refuses) that must be excavated and evacuated.
The top of the soakaway would be a drive-in car park and a sit out veranda, therefore need for good reinforcement (iron, granite and good mix)

We start

Sorry what do you mean by a low fence? I've started my own building and I'll be doing my soakaway in few weeks.

Also, can you please provide a cost breakdown of how much you spent?

JustCryptos:


Sorry what do you mean by a low fence? I've started my own building and I'll be doing my soakaway in few weeks.

About 5 coach fence (3 coach surface)

ITbomb:

About 5 coach fence (3 coach surface)

Hello,
Is it a must i use pillar on the soakaway??

Carmal90:


Hello,
Is it a must i use pillar on the soakaway??

To withstand the soil pressure from caving in and support for top decking , yes you need pillars

Plz how many rods did u use for d slab alone?

jp130:
Plz how many rods did u use for d slab alone?

I don't remember but I bought 10 y12 rods for foundation, middle beam and slab
And 6 y16 rods for the corner pillars

please what is the dimension of the soakaway pit

Thank you for this thread

I will follow exactly how you did here no need of engaging any engineer

Here's a link to my own project

https://www.nairaland.com/5131058/3-bedroom-bungalow-shimawa#77492542