What is the best type of driveway?

[Ivor Windybottom]

It's what we had. It soaks in for a bit then backs up.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

"We could run a pipe in to the down pipe at your neighbours and connect the channel drain outlet to this as this will be the only drain that can take the water from what I could see on site.

You definitely can't run your surface water into next door's drain!

 

[blackcloud]

Yep can't use my neighbours drain.

I feel totally out of options.

*Can't use neighbours drain
*Can't have a run into the street.

So no way to drain rainwater. So no new driveway. End of story

Another guy said what he can do is similar to how it is now at the front of the house, make an area about a foot wide all along the front of the house and digg deep and fill it with pebbles and that will be an area where the water will drain into, he said the water would drain before it even met the house.
But I am worried that as it's clay under the ground the water wouldn't drain away and just keep filling up with water. He said don't worry the water will drain into the ground and won't fill up. What are peoples thoughts on this?

On another note I've been quote about 4k for this job. Apart from one guy who quoted me 10k!!!????

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

10k was a "go away" price as you were asking too many questions!

Start from the start... is there a natural gradient or is it flat?

 

[blackcloud]

10k was a "go away" price as you were asking too many questions!

Start from the start... is there a natural gradient or is it flat?

I googled what is a natural gradient but still none the wiser?

Yes 10k seems like a go away price.

I've had 4 quotes so far

1) was the 10k quote and a soakaway or using the neighbours drain or a fall into street which council won't allow.

2) 4k quote - making a french drain the in clay at front of house draining solution with permeable tarmac. I emailed them to ask if they can send me a quote via email and work that is included in that price - didnt get a reply. On site I said I was worried the water wouldn't drain through the clay but he said he's been doing this for years and ofcourse it will.

3) £2,400 but no drainage system - Permeable tarmac. Ask him questions about drainage but he never got back to me. Dont want to email again as why chase him.

4) Same as 2. Didn't look very confident or knew what he was talking about and looked confused when I asked him aboit drainage.

5) Guy said can we arrange a visit for a quote and I said yes and we can discuss drainage system. He never replied either.

Not really anyone else to ask in the area I live now.
Maybe just have to give up as can't find a reputable, professional and honest company to do the job.
All I want is a new driveway with suitable drainage and happy to pay a reasonable price. Is it really too much to ask.

Honestly think they just rely on people who have no idea about driveways or drainage. A lady up the road just got hers done and I ask her about it and she said she's very happy with it. I ask her about drainage or anything but she said she didn't know anything about drainage, she did note that it was a little uneven in areas which I could clearly see that.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I googled what is a natural gradient but still none the wiser?

The question being asked, is does the drive at the moment slope towards the house, or away from it.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

When I say natural gradient I mean what the land looks like, regardless of what the people who laid the current driveway decided to do.

Some places are just entirely flat. In which case you have the freedom to do as you like. But if there's a hill, no matter how slight, go with it.

 

[Adaminyei]

Block paving still comes under SUDS regulations for permeability provided certain sub base materials are used. Usually a 4-20mm Clean Stone is used for the sub-base followed by 2-6mm for the laying course (instead of Sharp Sand). 1-4mm Jointing Aggregate is then used for brushing in rather than Kiln Dried Sand.

Sorry to hijack this. Do you have any sources from suds regulations stating this? I am due to start a drive in the next couple of weeks and was hoping to use a non permeable block. The ‘permeable’ blocks are not the next looking and more costly. Sub base can be MOT 3 with a non woven geotex below - would this be adequate to comply?

Hoping to avoid the extra cost of a soak away if if possible

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Sorry to hijack this. Do you have any sources from suds regulations stating this? I am due to start a drive in the next couple of weeks and was hoping to use a non permeable block. The ‘permeable’ blocks are not the next looking and more costly. Sub base can be MOT 3 with a non woven geotex below - would this be adequate to comply?

Hoping to avoid the extra cost of a soak away if if possible

Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens

www.gov.uk

 

[Adaminyei]

Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens

www.gov.uk

Thanks Harry, so based on this standard block paving would not qualify, it would need to be the permeable type on the correct sub base.

Any thoughts on how this would function if the permeable sub base is laid over clay soil?