Concrete Patterned Driveway

Hawksmuir

I am looking at extending my driveway, it is currently monoblocked, but we have the usual moss & weeds coming through.

Through surfing the internet I have stumbled across a system that uses concrete and then they imprint the pattern and colour on to the concrete, making it look like monoblock but without the weed/moss problem.

Does anyone have any experience of this ?

littlesos

We were thinking about having it done, but after a bit of research decided against it

You can look http://www.pavingexpert.com/pic01.htm, they say what the pros and cons are near the bottom of the webpage.

The two things that put me off most was that you need to "care" for the surface, sealant needs to be applied every few years, and you can't patch repair bits, so if your water/gas services run under your drive and they have a problem you'll need a whole new drive.

Doozergirl

They crack. I've seen a few now and even though they do it in sections with some kind of rubber sealant between each section, you still get cracks appearing. If the drive isn't completely level you get quite clear stress fractures which you will never be able to rectify. It's also bad environmentally because the water can't soak away so it runs off to flood someone elses house (news today anyone re: planning permission for driveways!)

You won't get weeds with a block paved drive if they've dug down far enough and got rid of the roots. There should be a great big layer of hardcore and then sand for weeds to get through. I'd do it again if it's that bad. The water on our drive soaks away through the sand because it's not mortared in.

Hawksmuir

Doozergirl wrote: »

They crack. I've seen a few now and even though they do it in sections with some kind of rubber sealant between each section, you still get cracks appearing. If the drive isn't completely level you get quite clear stress fractures which you will never be able to rectify. It's also bad environmentally because the water can't soak away so it runs off to flood someone elses house (news today anyone re: planning permission for driveways!)

You won't get weeds with a block paved drive if they've dug down far enough and got rid of the roots. There should be a great big layer of hardcore and then sand for weeds to get through. I'd do it again if it's that bad. The water on our drive soaks away through the sand because it's not mortared in.

You must get a lot of Rain in your area.

Actually there is a drain at the bottom of the drive so its straight to sewer.

adandem

We don't get weeds on our block paving either. We were also told that the weeds don't necessarily 'come through' but they can form where dirt and silt have settled in the joints.

I'm not a huge fan of the concrete you mention, it looks rather artificial I think? Someone by us has it done and has a sign up warning people that it's very slippery when wet. I have seen a few cracked drives too.

Doozergirl

Hawksmuir wrote: »

You must get a lot of Rain in your area.

Actually there is a drain at the bottom of the drive so its straight to sewer.

Where do you think the water in the drain goes? Because water runs off the surface instead of soaking into the ground it puts pressure on those drains, which causes flash flooding. I'm not talking about flooding your next door neighbour, I'm talking about the accumulative affect on the wider community!

Hawksmuir

Doozergirl wrote: »

Where do you think the water in the drain goes? Because water runs off the surface instead of soaking into the ground it puts pressure on those drains, which causes flash flooding. I'm not talking about flooding your next door neighbour, I'm talking about the accumulative affect on the wider community!

Oh quick I'll dig up my monoblock and all my slabs so a 300 square foot area, doesn't destabilise the whole drainage system of the west of scotland.

Better still I will go for the concrete and install a water wheel just above the drain to help power my house. :rolleyes:

lolly1963

Hi,
From Autumn this year then planning permission is required for concreting,paving front gardens. However, if you opt for permeable paving then that is ok. I think it looks really nice and has a sort of gravel in between the wavy joints, therefore much much better for drainage and if like me you are on clay soil, then it surely has to be much better for your property too.
I think the only downside to it at the moment is the cost, but surely this will come down in price once more people opt for it. I am umming and arghing about paving my front garden, but in the end may spend a bit more for the permeable, which requires i think a deeper base of a different kind of mot 1, i read about 20mm round gravelly type, then with the usual sand top layer. Layed properly i think could look quite attractive.
Lorraine.