Dealing with drain when creating gravel drive

[r_c]

I do not work in the trade, so please excuse this simple question. I would like to remove the grass in our front garden and lay gravel grids down to use it for parking. I read that I need to dig down and create a sub base of about 150mm deep of MOT Type 1, and then lay the gravel grids on top of this. But I have a drain that runs under the front garden, and it looks to be, if not less than, very close to 150mm below the surface.

How can I lay a 150mm sub base with drains like this?

20230710_123218.jpg

• r_c
• 11 Jul 2023

20230710_123615.jpg

• r_c
• 11 Jul 2023

 

[noseall]

I do not work in the trade, so please excuse this simple question. I would like to remove the grass in our front garden and lay gravel grids down to use it for parking. I read that I need to dig down and create a sub base of about 150mm deep of MOT Type 1, and then lay the gravel grids on top of this. But I have a drain that runs under the front garden, and it looks to be, if not less than, very close to 150mm below the surface.

How can I lay a 150mm sub base with drains like this?

20230710_123218.jpg

• r_c
• 11 Jul 2023

20230710_123615.jpg

• r_c
• 11 Jul 2023

Use pea gravel immediately around the drains rather than MOT.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Would it be wise to park a car on top of a clay pipe so close to the surface? You only need to look at them to make them break.

It looks like it's a communal pipe running along the street, so you'll cause trouble if you make it collapse. It will be the responsiblity of your local water company, it might be worth asking them for advice - then if it cracks they can't blame you.

It may need a proper hard surface to spread the load.

 

[r_c]

Yes @Ivor Windybottom , my worry exactly.

It might be possible for us to stop the gravel at the drain, and use a sleeper to indicate end of parking space. And then infill from drain to the house as a small planted border area. It is slightly less parking space, but might just be enough for a single car, and means not taking on the risk of damaging the drain.

A few more pictures, one with rough guide as to where drain is.

20230710_123135.jpg

• r_c
• 11 Jul 2023

20230710_123218_line.jpg

• r_c
• 11 Jul 2023

 

[^woody^]

In these situations, you would normally lay a thick concrete paving slab over the pipe with some compressible board between them.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

It might be possible for us to stop the gravel at the drain, and use a sleeper to indicate end of parking space. And then infill from drain to the house as a small planted border area. It is slightly less parking space, but might just be enough for a single car, and means not taking on the risk of damaging the drain.

I thought about suggesting exactly this, I'd say this is the best idea. If you took the space further then, if someone drives in forwards they're probably going to park with the front wheels/engine pretty much exactly over the pipe. Whatever slabs, gravel and other stuff you use, you're always going to risk crushing it.

As a bonus, I'd say it will also look much better to keep a bit of green in front of your house.. Let nature keep a little bit of the planet.

I'd use something a bit taller than a sleeper, so that if you have reversing sensors they'll beep. Perhaps a little fence, could look quite nice.