What is the best type of driveway?

[noseall]

So he wont be abled to replace it with concrete or tarmac then

Yes.

 

[noseall]

Totally depends on the Local Authority. Different rules in different areas.

The rules for collecting and disposing of rainwater, within your own property curtilage are clear.

 

[noseall]

Gravel is the cheapest though

Horrendous waste of money.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

Horrendous waste of money.

It does work as a security feature though.

Thieves can't approach over gravel without noise.

 

[noseall]

Provided it is laid correctly it is incredibly strong and should last indefinitely.

...except it's a magnet for....

the weeds that come in between the monoblocks

 

[Diver Fred]

According to 1 newcomers/new household in our road - the best type of Driveway is the Neighbours driveway - which is why they have set the long term residents against them. They regard everyone else's driveways as public property for their sole use. How 2 people need 3 cars and 2 works vehicles parked in the vicinity we all would love know.

But to answer the original question - 100mm or reinforced concrete or 150/200 mm of unreinforced concrete either on 100mm of compacted hardcore. That can be tarmac'd over. Only problem is the drainage in todays world.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Concrete will be either already cracked or about to crack. It's hard in terms of wear but as brittle as a biscuit. Any ground movement, even a couple of mm, will result in a crack.

You've already found out the downside of blocks, they flex well but allow weeds to flourish in the gaps.

IMO tarmac is the best compromise - it wears well, weeds can't grow through it but it can flex if the ground does move. A dip is vastly preferable to the smashed up shrapnel you end up with if concrete moves.

We have concrete, along with lots of cracks. It will eventually be replaced with tarmac on the main part and gravel (with proper edgings) on the less used part, because it's cheaper and you don't need to care about drainage.

Ask the council to fix the pavement first though. And sell whatever monster truck you must drive and buy a sensible car.

That pavement looks like one where I used to live, where the owner parked his own road-sweeping truck on his drive, I guess sometimes full of several tons of water.

 

[Notch7]

Tarmac - all day. We had ours done years ago by a good company (Dawkes of Stafford) and don't regret a second of it. I did all the prep i.e. framed the perimeter with solid blue best soldier bricks and laid the MOT. Their guys came and added more MOT and compacted the drive with a big heavy vibrating roller. Base coat and wearing coat added, job done.

I agree

Ive seen loads of block driveways done around my village -using Marshall blocks mostly, after a couple of years they all fade and then the weeds start growing

decent tarmac looks good for many years and to be honest concrete done well looks good even if it does look atad functional

 

[blackcloud]

Yes.

I contacted the council and explained I wanted to tarmac the driveway and is there any kind of planning permission I need at all in terms of planning etc. They replied:

In regards to your enquiry regarding drive way

From the information provided the works would appear not to be warrantable as it replacing on hardstanding for another as such this does not require a building warrant

Kind regards

Building Standards Manager

 

[blackcloud]

I have a guy out today and he quoted me £2,400 for tarmac.
He said no need to worry about drainage as rain will just drain through the tarmac.
He said the tarmac will go right to the house and all edges etc and there wouod be no bricks around the perimeter.
Is that right?

Ask the council to fix the pavement first though? Will they do that? What do I specifically ask the council to do and why.?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

What's going round the edge away from the house? You need something, we had a cowboy driveway that was done by the previous owners, it had rotten wooden planks round the edge which seems to be the cowboy's choice.

You definitely need to plan drainage. Tarmac has some permeability but it soon backs up.

Honestly, from your account of the conversation... did this contractor also try to sell you some lucky heather?

 

[blackcloud]

Thanks.
This is the quote he gave me.

1.Digging out drive removing all mono block.
2.Checking sub base for any soft areas.
3.Laying type one hardcore at depth 100mm then consolidating. 4.Weed killing all area.
5.Re-surfacing drive with 10mm carpave tarmacadam at depth 60mm power rolling to finished surface.
6.Any waste will be removed on completion.
7.All work comes fully guaranteed for five years. Total cost £2400.

He said there would be nothing going around the edge away from the house. It would just be tarmac, the whole thing and rain etc would just evaporate into the tarmac no issues. I said I didn't want monoblock edges as don't like weeds but monoblock edges are not drainage anyway.

He said it can't be totally level the driveway on completion as it will taper off a little from the middle of the driveway, can't remember why he said that now. But he gave a reason.

 

[blackcloud]

He said if you have any questions please let me know. So I sent him these below questions.

1) Please can you remind me via email the reasons it would taper off from the middle and wouldn't be totally level?

2) I was reading that having proper drainage for your tarmac driveway is crucial. Without effective methods in place, water can cause significant damage and lead to common issues such as cracking, sinking, and deterioration of the surface. Ie drain channels should be installed and direct the water into these. These should then be fed into appropriate drainage or soak-a-way.
So please can you email me with exactly what water drainage system you will use for the driveway please?

3) I also read that tarmac level should be at least 150mm below DPC can you do this?

4) I read tarmac should be at least 70mm thick for domestic driveway. 40/50mm thick binding course, then 20/30mm of wearing course, is this what you would install?

5) A tarmac driveway should divert water away from your house. You must ensure the driveway slopes away from your home and toward a drainage ditch or other runoff area. Will this be done by yourselves please?
And or installing drainage channels lined with a porous material to allow water to escape into the ground or even a soakaway.
A strong, durable base is essential. For residential driveways, a base layer of at least 50 mm and a top layer of around 25 mm is essential. Can you confirm this will be done?

6) Laying: The ground should be excavated to the correct depth, usually 300 mm below surface level. Can you confirm you would also complete this please?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I'd bet that you won't get a reply. Take this as a sign! Let him ride his horse off into the sunset.

Tarmac normally needs an edging of some sort. They don't bother on country lanes, but if you look at anywhere this is done it looks like a mess and gradually erodes.

 

[blackcloud]

I'd bet that you won't get a reply. Take this as a sign! Let him ride his horse off into the sunset.

Tarmac normally needs an edging of some sort. They don't bother on country lanes, but if you look at anywhere this is done it looks like a mess and gradually erodes.

Yes have a feeling the same.
Had another guy out for a quote. He said that it does need draining but the ground in the area is mostly clay and it can end up like a big full bath under the drive way if a soak a away is fitted and there's no drain on the front of the house he couldnt use either for another possible option.
He said the best option would be to create a fall so rain water runs off it into the road/street into a drain at the side of the road and with the tarmac being permeable anyway then that should be sufficient.
What are your thoughts on that? Thanks all