What is the best type of driveway?

[blackcloud]

The new guy from today said this. What are peoples thoughts?

(1) driveway will be flat with a fall to pavement for all surface water

(2) If there is a drain that is accessible, we would install a channel drain and outlet would connect directly in to main drain. As discussed on site, the best option would be to have a fall on the driveway for all surface water to run off onto pavement. This can be discussed in more depth on our second visit.

(3) This can be achievable, no problem

(4) We recommend tarmac driveways to be 100mm thick 60mm base and 40mm finish

(5) we would be using permeable tarmac which allows water to drain through naturally

(6) we excavate driveways to 250mm - 300mm
From finish hight. This will allow for a minimum of 150mm of type one build up base and allow 100mm of tarmac. If subsoil is really soft we sometimes excavate more than 300mm and install a geogrid menbrain for added stability.

 

[yorksbuilder]

Have a read of this :

FAQs for Front Garden Paving

FAQ covering the legislation affecting the construction of pavements, driveways and patios to front gardens in England and Wales

www.pavingexpert.com

 

[yorksbuilder]

Where will the permeable tarmac drain to? You will have problems if it's not to a soak away or a drain

 

[blackcloud]

I'm in Scotland and found this.

Building Standards technical handbook 2017: domestic buildings

The Building Standards Technical Handbooks provide guidance on achieving the standards set in the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 and are available in two volumes, Domestic buildings and Non-domestic buildings.

www.gov.scot

3:6:3

Still not clear if he can do this.

He said that in this area it is mainly all clay under the driveways so the soak-a-way will just fill with water like a bath and there is no drainage at the front of the house or even drain pipes on the front of the house so he can't use a drain. So his only suggestion was to create a fall so any rain water that doesn't seep into the permeable tarmac will drain into the street into the drain in road??

What do you think?

 

[yorksbuilder]

Ok in Scotland it is slightly different.

In your circumstances it will probably make sense to do what the contractor suggests.

Make sure your paving is far enough below the dpc.

Also if you don't want to install perimeter of block pavers it would probably be ok, just looks more attractive and is better for the finish

 

[blackcloud]

Ok in Scotland it is slightly different.

In your circumstances it will probably make sense to do what the contractor suggests.

Make sure your paving is far enough below the dpc.

Also if you don't want to install perimeter of block pavers it would probably be ok, just looks more attractive and is better for the finish

Thanks. I can't figure out based on skipping though the Scotland legislation if it is or isn't permissable to run surface water off a driveway onto a public path/road? Can you?

Can you think of any other options to get rid of surface water?

 

[yorksbuilder]

So many people neglect their block paving and then demonise it and move to tarmac etc. Actually it requires regular upkeep to ensure it looks good at all times:
- sweep with stiff brush every 2 weeks
- weedkiller regularly in spring and autumn
- pressure wash to clean algae
- brush in new kiln dried sand
- apply sealer and anti mould treatment
Etc.

Then it will stay looking good.
But if corners were cut in installation, mainly on the depth of sub base dugout and the base, then it will sink and that's the cowboy installers fault.

Tarmac if neglected will also get weeds, moss, sinking, crumbling surface etc!

 

[blackcloud]

Yes, intend to get Tarmac but this still needs maintenance too.

Just need to ensure it's not against any legislation to create a fall for rainwater to drain off it into the street for Scotland.

 

[noseall]

Yes, intend to get Tarmac but this still needs maintenance too.

Minimal.

 

[noseall]

He said no need to worry about drainage as rain will just drain through the tarmac.

Permeable Tarmac? Eh?

 

[blackcloud]

Permeable Tarmac? Eh?

Yes permeable tarmac.

I emailed the local council and asked them about if the driveway has a fall onto the public footpath for the rainwater to drain off that does not drain through the tarmac and this is what they said. Under my driveway it's all clay so a soak-a-way wouldn't work and there's no other options for drainage other than a fall. So can I ask what others would do in my situation? Here's council's response.

This is not something cover buy building standards in relation to drainage on to public paths and roads most local authorities do not allow it however it is not enforced buy building standards

 

[noseall]

Yes permeable tarmac.

Are you sure it's 'Tarmac' and not another product generically linked?

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

That last plan sounds far more sensible. I agree entirely about clay.

I had a quote for a sewage treatment plant. All I asked was whether it would be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's spec, i.e. fully surrounded with concrete. I got a right hostile rant about I've been doing this for years, don't question me bla bla bla. Cowboys don't like it when you show an interest, they want you to just shut up and hand the money over.

 

[blackcloud]

Yes the last guy seemed very professional and honest.
It seems a grey area about the running off of the rainwater onto the public path and road here in Scotland. I am seeking futher clarification from the local council first, but seems such a grey area that doubt I'd get a clear answer and seems like it is not really enforced even if a driveway is on a fall for rainwater into a public path.

Yes I have been assured it's a permeable tarmac.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

It seems a grey area about the running off of the rainwater onto the public path and road here in Scotland. I am seeking futher clarification from the local council first, but seems such a grey area that doubt I'd get a clear answer and seems like it is not really enforced even if a driveway is on a fall for rainwater into a public path.

Around here, you are allowed to replace/repair a none permeable, draining out the path/road, with the same. If you make a new drive, then it has to either be permeable, or have drains added to catch the run-off. Some use Aco type drains, often leading to a soak-away. On heavy clay, as we are, soak-aways are not very effective.