How Drainage Makes a Difference with New Driveways
How Drainage Makes a Difference with New Driveways
Your driveway is an important space on the property, providing a solid and safe surface for vehicles. But the battle with water is constantly fought on the drive - either in the warmer months with rain or the colder months with ice. There will also be groundwater present underneath that must be dealt with when designing new driveways.
First up - Surface Drainage
You'll need to design the new drive so that rainwater and other surface moisture will be able to safely and quickly run away from the house. There are two elements of surface drainage on a driveway:
. End fall (or end fall) - the grade that runs from the top to the bottom of the driveway
. Cross fall (or cross fall) - the grade that runs from one side of the drive to the other
New driveways with porous surfaces will still need to be graded properly. The grade doesn't necessarily need to be extremely steep - 1:60 is fine - but this shallow of a grade needs to be installed by an experienced professional.
Next - Gullies Along the Side
In cases where the driveway is long and the ground on either side is relatively level, a gully will help to keep the area dry. Marshy conditions on the side can be dangerous to those walking on the drive and can also cause premature deterioration of the driveway materials. This amount of collected water can wash away the base and cause serious damage to the driveway surface itself.
A gully is really just a shallow ditch, although it may have a grid over top to prevent it from filling up. Water should be directed away from the your home and drive, perhaps down to a dry well or out to an area of the garden where it can slowly leech into the soil.
Under the Drive
We've looked at the surface and the sides of new driveways. But don't forget to include the proper drainage underneath your drive with at least 100mm and up to 600mm of gravel base. Sand is generally laid on top and packed down level and then the pavers or tarmac is installed on top. Occasionally a cement mixture is laid on top of the gravel, although this does not provide as much drainage as sand will.
With this layering technique the water that flows under (or through) the drive will move freely away from the area, creating a secure base that will last for years.
By ensuring your new driveways have enough drainage in all vital areas you can count on a durable surface that will hold up well season after season.