Homeowners in regions exposed to flooding will be well aware of the catastrophic damage this can cause, from contaminations with sludge and debris to subsidence, cracks, shifts in paving and erosion that allows mould and weeds to proliferate.
This is why, when we start work designing a new driveway for a homeowner in Cirencester or other regions throughout Gloucestershire, we consider the materials, permeability, stability and structure of the driveway to ensure it doesn’t just look beautiful but is engineered to handle anything the weather brings your way.
Last winter, we saw widespread heavy rain, rivers bursting their banks, issues with sewage and run-off infrastructure, and stormy weather that caused untold havoc. We have highlighted here some of the things to be mindful of if you’re planning a new driveway in an area with a high potential for flooding or in a coastal region with more intense weather patterns.
The Impacts of Water and Flooding on Driveway Stability
Fortunately, most properties in Cirencester aren’t on a floodplain, but there is an ongoing risk of river flooding, especially around the River Avon and the Severn Estuary. Around 11,000 homes close by are exposed to possible flooding.
The more prevalent issue is often around standing water, where periods of heavy rain, often accompanied by other stormy conditions, can cause a wide range of problems. These can impact outdoor landscaping to the extent that features and paving need to be completely replaced.
In many scenarios, when we evaluate a damaged driveway impacted by water, this has happened because drainage wasn’t incorporated into the driveway design. When heavy rain or water falls and can’t drain away safely, it collects and stagnates.
Either one period of excessive water exposure or prolonged instances of standing water erode the substrates underneath the drive and put serious pressure on paving or brickwork. They can chip away at cement and grout until they are so weak they cannot support the integrity of the drive – creating a very real risk of slippages, damage to your vehicle, or subsidence when the soil under the drive has been washed away.
During the winter months, when heavier rain is more likely, surface water can also create a secondary hazard. It can freeze and turn a smooth drive into a severe slip risk, making walking or driving over an icy surface a recipe for disaster.
How Professional Landscapers Design Cirencester Driveways With Excellent Drainage
There are numerous driveway systems to choose between, but step one is often to look at the layout, size, structure, and positioning of the drive and chat about the number of cars you’d like to park on it or the volume of traffic you’d expect in an everyday week.
This all matters because:
- Your preferred finish may depend on the period and style of your home, and we might suggest a different installation process and drainage solution depending on whether you’d like a traditional block paved drive, stunning natural stone, a sleek resin surface, or have a unique design in mind to complement your Cirencester home.
- Existing surfaces like tarmac, turf, or concrete may be a consideration—either deciding to remove the old materials altogether or evaluating whether there are any aspects of the substrate that can be kept. In most cases, full excavation is the best option to ensure the foundations underneath are perfectly even.
- Sub-bases fitted underneath the driveway provide added strength but must not feature any weaknesses or air pockets, with additional reinforcement necessary for heavy usage and multi-vehicle homes.
Our surfacing specialists can discuss the aesthetics of your new drive, and which options are ideal for the soil, layout, and size of your parking area.
Gravel and tarmac driveways are conventional options and quick to install, but equally have drawbacks in terms of maintenance and appearance – with other solutions like block paved drives that we can design with finishing touches like edges, landscaping, curbs and boundaries.
When you’ve picked the primary material you’d like your driveway to be constructed from, we can then suggest membranes and permeable bases that will prevent the soil from mixing with the sub-base material without stopping natural water drainage through the ground.
Assessing the Right Approach to Flood-Resistant Driveway Drainage
We’re focusing today on flooding, and the material and finish you select might influence the right types of drainage we install.
Poured gravel driveways, for example, are usually fitted with a permeable membrane underneath, assisting in water run-off, whereas other types of drives work optimally with purpose-designed drainage systems.
Commonly Used Drainage Systems for Modern Driveways
While not an exhaustive list, we could suggest the following systems:
- Channel drains at either edge of the drive are positioned to capture and direct surface water away, stopping flooding or pooling on your driveway. These drains have specific weight load classes, which relate to the number of vehicles in your household.
- French drains are better suited for sloped drives or if the natural soil drainage in your area isn’t ideal. These driveway drains collect and feed water away using a trenching system usually filled with gravel.
- Drainage gates are installed at specific points within the driveway design and connected to a drainage system underground. This system effectively prevents water from collecting on the driveway and uses a network of channels and pipes.
The key is to ensure your drive is designed and installed to high standards by a professional team that carries out all-important checks before suggesting a way forward. This is essential because we must grade the land, check for slopes, look at current ditches, channels, or drainage placements, and consider how flood water might move from your property to a neighbours.
Taking care over this initial design phase is incredibly worthwhile. It mitigates the possibility that you’ll find that your new landscaping has been damaged beyond repair next winter or during the next period of flooding, or that your driveway has slipped or cracked and is rendered unusable after the first storm.
If you would like more information about any of the drainage systems mentioned here or more tailored advice about the best approach to designing your perfect driveway in Cirencester or the wider Gloucestershire area, you are welcome to contact Cotswold Paving and Landscaping at any time.