Drain Inspection Services - East Yorks

Well, as you're paying for it you can ask anything you want.

You say "resurface" the drive. That sounds like new tarmac, so all I would say is that you should use a well-established company, even if some quotes seem a lot higher than others. With tarmac you'll get what you pay for, but be careful to check that what you're getting *is* what you paid for! You don't want some "boys from the blackstuff", do you?

Afraid not. I can recommend someone in the Surrey area, but that's no help. It's a one-man-with-a-camera job, so it doesn't need to be a big firm (in fact the big firms - eg Lanes Drains, Cappagh - are probably not interested)

You should ask for a copy of the video they record and download it for safekeeping. Means you have something to compare with in case you get a new survey, to see if anything's changed. Also the camera units typically record the length of cable spooled out as text overlayed on the video, so if there's an obstruction you can use that to work out where it is on the surface.

If there's someone who's just doing a job down the road and has some leftover tarmac, run away very fast.

Theo

Thanks Jeff

My wording was somewhat misleading there. I am looking for a full drive install - excavate, groundworks, hardcore, membrane, sand and blockwork (or maybe resin). I read a note recommending a geotextile membrane should be used and not just a weed block. I have already had the "we are in your area" approach from two separate companies recently, both with Irish accents. Turned out to be father and son! Rather surprisingly they seem to have picked up quite a bit of work in the area.

Phil

Thanks Theo

Your suggestions regarding supply of videos for drain survey are appreciated.

With regard to the drive, I hope I have read up enough to know what should be proposed at the quotation stage to enable me to weed out the "rogues". Then all that remains is to watch the work like a hawk as it progresses.

Phil

Having looked into this recently I'm 'given to understand' that if the area is over 5m2 and non-permeable you'll need planning permission - which involves provision for on-site drainage.

That said, there's been a rash of resin drives laid round here recently with no PP - so I've either been misinformed or people don't seem too bothered about the whole thing.

About 15 years ago I wanted my drive and saw that a team doing block paving nearby adverised doing tarmac, so I got in touch to ask about tarmac. The outcome was the attendance of a local 'Irish Mick' (his name was Mick) who gave me a price that I thought reasonable. He dug out and removed the margins of the existing, leaving most of it in situ, covered by a layer of new material. He was quite shocked when I suggested paying by cheque, claiming that the price was for a cash transaction and that he had told me that, which he hadn't. Despite the apparent shortcomings the job has lasted quite well, a small fracture developing along one side in recent months. One day I'll save up to have it replaced with something better.

Neighbours were approached by someone 'doing a job in the area'... they were always after a bargain. Turned out to be from the illegal encampment down the lane. Needless to say it did not go well - I don't remember if they had to get someone else to fix it in the end.

Theo

Hi Rob

Now you come to mention it, I remember the discussions some years ago on this. From memory there were permeable blocks to get round this.

The reason I would not like to go that route is that our house is in a bit of a hollow and water making it past the drive surface sits on the clay around the foundations.

There was also resistance if memory serves to the installation of surface drains which would amplify my problem if provision for these was not included.

For the above reasons, and also the eradication of weed attracting joints, I am considering the resin option quite seriously.

Phil

I believe block paving is permeable - both the blocks and the sand between. Certainly on ours water doesn't pool.

We're on heavy clay too. They will presumably install a sand bed and tamp it flat as part of installation so there is sub-base drainage.

If water is pooling around the house then perhaps they need to dig out the base so there's a slope away from the house.

We have no storm water drains (it's clay, so there's nowhere for it to go anyway). Gutters feed direct into the sewerage system.

If you have resin, where will the water go?

The block paving has relatively few weeds. For the terrible patio which does, I can recommend the blowtorch type weed guns:

Theo

I think the proper SUDS spec has bigger "nibs" on the edges of the blocks nd uses tiny stones instead of sand to fill the joints, I think it's all laid on a different sub-base (type 3 instead of type 1?)

I think so - my neighbour used block and had PP for a dropped kerb too.

Maybe a weedproof membrane for the OP, seeings as they're at the install stage?