Keep getting puddles on your drive? Discover why water causes a problem on driveways and learn how to fix it with products from JDP.
Does your driveway give you a whole host of problems you never thought it would when it rains? Standing water, wet feet, muddy footprints in the house and an underwhelming arrival are a common issue for home owners in the UK. But by installing some channel drainage you can solve these problems.
Paved/Concrete Driveways
Firstly, why is there water on my driveway?
By replacing the natural ground in housing areas with an impermeable surface for driveways, the storm water run-off has nowhere to go and increases the risk of urbanised flooding. The storm water can’t soak into the ground as it would have done previously, so in result you get puddles of water collecting on your driveway causing numerous problems.
The Problems
- An overflowing drain
With all the water from your roof, maybe even your neighbours roof and the roads, your existing drains are almost certainly overflowing resulting in even more water puddling on your driveway.
- Cracks and holes
In cold weather any water that falls and sits into small holes in your concrete driveway will freeze causing tarmac to crack, which can lead to potholes.
- Dangerous slips
Any water which sits on the surface of your driveway when it’s cold will freeze and look almost invisible resulting in accidents.
- Flooding to the property
Storm water run-off which collects near a garage or near the front of your house can cause a risk of flooding to the property.
- Mould and moss
While your driveway is constantly damp this can lead to mould and moss developing in cracks in your drive.
How to fix driveway drainage problems?
Install Channel Drainage
By installing channel drain in your driveway this effectively manages the surface water giving it a place to go and will greatly reduce the amount of water sitting on the surface of your driveway. The type of channel drain suitable for a driveway comes with a B125 loading class, meaning the channel can hold a weight of up to 12.5 tonnes. The channel comes with a grating which is metal and sits on the surface to allow water to run off into the channel underneath and be distributed to a suitable collection point. Ensure the channel is installed at the low point of the drive so that water can run down into the channel.
Do you want to know more about the process of installing channel drain? Check out how to install channel drainage in a driveway for more infomation!
Shop Channel Drainage
Hauraton TOP X Galvanised Steel Channel Drain A15 x 1m
Hauraton TOP X Galvanised Steel Channel Drain Multipack
Hauraton TOP X Composite Mesh Channel Drain A15 x 1m
Hauraton TOP X Composite Mesh Channel Drain Multipack
Hauraton TOP X Slotted Channel Drain A15 x 1m
RECYFIX 100 Galvanised Mesh Channel Drain B125 x 1m
Gravel Driveways
Why is there water on my gravel driveway?
Similar to lawn drainage, water could gather on the surface of the gravel due to the heavy impermeable soil underneath the gravel. Whilst the gravel itself is permeable the water can quickly seep through to the ground underneath which, if not permeable, can quickly become sodden leading to a build-up of water on the surface of the gravel.
The Problems
- The excess water puddles and creates pot holes in your driveway ruining the overall look.
- Freezing water in your gravel can cause accidents and slips as it can go unnoticed and become black ice within the small gaps of the gravel.
How to fix gravel driveway problems?
Different from concrete driveways, gravel driveways do not require channel drain. Instead the solution is to lay some land drain or twinwall underneath the gravel in a French drain system and redirect the water to a suitable outlet. Depending on the size of your driveway will determine whether you would need to use twinwall or land drain.
More commonly for your average size driveway (with parking for 1 or 2 cars) twinwall would be the best pipe to use, as it comes in shorter lengths which you can cut, meaning you don’t end up with as much waste.For larger driveways where the drainage problem is much bigger, land drain may be a more suitable option as it comes in longer lengths of 50m and 100m and is flexible, as opposed to twinwall which is rigid, meaning it would be easier to handle.
Find out how to install land drainage by following the steps to fixing lawn drainage.
FAQs
How to Fix Driveway Drainage Problems. You have a few options for rerouting water away from your driveway and home. Depending on the type of driveway and your aesthetic preference, you can choose between installing a channel drain, French drain, swale, culvert, permeable pavers or by regrading.
What is the common problem of drainage system? ›
The majority of drainage problems are usually caused by an inadequate pitch or slope in your yard which prevents water runoff from being diverted away from the house. And the issue is often complicated by downspouts on the residence that do not pipe away the rain gutter water from the property.
What is the drain that runs under the driveway? ›
Channel drains, trench drains or strip drains are linear drainage applications used to prevent surface and rain water from flooding garages, basem*nts, driveways and gardens.
How do I divert water runoff from my driveway? ›
- Dig a Swale. A swale, a shallow trench, redirects water to a safe release area like a dry well, arid forest or pond. ...
- Construct a Dry Stream. Dry streams redirect water and prevent runoff damage. ...
- Grow a Rain Garden. ...
- Build a Berm. ...
- Direct Water into a Dry Well. ...
- Lay Permeable Paving.
In many cases, you can attempt to remove the excess water or “build up” the soil in this area with sandy loam or loamy sand type soil with a better capability for drainage. Each alternative is costly, but adding a more drainable soil to the area can help reduce the visible problem.
What is the root cause of poor drainage system? ›
The most common causes of blocked drainage systems are: Buildup of household materials such as soap, hair, food, and fat in the pipes that solidify in external pipes. Piling up of objects such as leaves and dirt that get pushed into gutters and drains by rain and storms. Tree roots entering broken pipes.
What is the most common reason drains fail? ›
Tree roots are widely recognized as the number one cause of blockage and clogs in water and sewer mains. While it's more common to find tree roots invading the pipes of older homes, the roots can find their way into systems of any age.
What are driveway drains called? ›
Also known as a trench drain or a linear drainage channel, a channel drain is an essential product for preventing drainage and rainwater issues on non-porous surfaces.
How do you clear a driveway drain? ›
Clean the channel - Remove any accumulated debris, such as leaves, twigs, or pebbles, using a broom, shovel, or dustpan. For stubborn debris, use a drainage hook or a sturdy clothes hanger. Flush the channel with water - Use a garden hose or a pressure washer to flush out any remaining debris or silt from the channel.
Do you need drainage on a driveway? ›
When installing a new driveway it is essential to understand the importance of driveway drainage. This is because, if it is not done correctly there could be future issues that could cause flooding and excess surface water, which in turn may lead to damage to your property or environmental damage.
A driveway culvert is a drainage tunnel that is designed to transport water through something — such as through a section of land, under a building, or under a driveway. A culvert is designed to run perpendicularly underneath a driveway, allowing water and debris to pass through without flowing over your front lawn.
What is a swale drain in a driveway? ›
Swales are designed to slow and capture runoff by spreading it horizontally across the landscape (along an elevation contour line), facilitating runoff infiltration into the soil. The drains are designed to be broad and shallow, and would be vegetated with grass that would grow through the mats.
How do driveway drains work? ›
A pre-sloped system is a standard in driveway drains. Their widths and slopes allow the systems to evacuate a large amount of water quickly using gravity to pull it to the lowest point. Drain trenches are cast from several materials including polymer concrete, plastic, fiberglass, or stainless steel.
How do you unclog a drain under a driveway? ›
The Right Way to Flush Out a Clogged Outside Drainage System
After removing the drain cover screen and obvious dirt and debris present, the property owner should next use a garden hose to flush the entire system properly. This is often the only thing necessary to unclog an outside drainage system.
How do I fix water pipes under my driveway? ›
When a pipe bursts under a driveway, repairs often involve excavation. In such cases, the concrete slab must be broken and the underlying pipe fixed or replaced. Then the concrete is repaired. Alternately, the underground pipes may be re-routed above ground.
How do you improve drainage in a gravel driveway? ›
Gravel driveways are porous, allowing rainwater to seep through. To enhance drainage, a permeable membrane or geotextile fabric can be placed beneath the gravel to prevent weed growth and encourage water infiltration.
How do I stop water erosion on my driveway? ›
If you want to prevent erosion near your driveway, direct any downspouts away from it. Of course, you could still end up with erosion from direct rainfall over time, which is why you'll need to seal your concrete driveway with caulking to prevent water from leaking in.
