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- 29 May 2019
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Hello
we are getting our drive done (about 7m wide x 5m deep) and need some advice regarding the drainage. Plan is to replace the existing block paving with granite setts around the border and then MOT Type 1 subbase with gravel grids and gravel on top. The drive is on a fair slope towards the house and at this point in time water penetrates under the garage door when it rains heavily, even though we have a drain at the bottom.
We are wondering if we should also install a soakaway under the drive...obviously the gravel is more porous than block paving so it will probably drain much better than it does currently, but do you think a soakaway would still be needed? The ground has a moderate clay content and I have read they’re not always suitable.
The rainwater pipe also discharges on to the ground from a valley gutter so we were also thinking of connecting that to the soakaway. However I also read subsidance or heave can occurr on clay soil which is dry for a prolonged period, and with all the water travelling via the soakaway I am a bit worried about that as well.
would you recommend putting a soakaway in, and just as importantly, could doing so do more harm than good?
Many thanks
Jimmy
we are getting our drive done (about 7m wide x 5m deep) and need some advice regarding the drainage. Plan is to replace the existing block paving with granite setts around the border and then MOT Type 1 subbase with gravel grids and gravel on top. The drive is on a fair slope towards the house and at this point in time water penetrates under the garage door when it rains heavily, even though we have a drain at the bottom.
We are wondering if we should also install a soakaway under the drive...obviously the gravel is more porous than block paving so it will probably drain much better than it does currently, but do you think a soakaway would still be needed? The ground has a moderate clay content and I have read they’re not always suitable.
The rainwater pipe also discharges on to the ground from a valley gutter so we were also thinking of connecting that to the soakaway. However I also read subsidance or heave can occurr on clay soil which is dry for a prolonged period, and with all the water travelling via the soakaway I am a bit worried about that as well.
would you recommend putting a soakaway in, and just as importantly, could doing so do more harm than good?
Many thanks
Jimmy