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Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:15 am
by mikesdrive
Just had 50m2 drive laid in pic, all rainwater supposed to runoff but doesn't.
Contractor says will cut into pattern with a con saw to try and allow drainage if doesn't runoff once sealed although what difference it being sealed will make I don't know?
He said that if that doesn't work he will have to construct a soakaway.
two questions:
1: can I try and insist that he relay some of drive so that rain does runoff as don't really want anything other than the concrete?
2: How should a soakaway be properly constructed?
Thanks for any help
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:06 pm
by lutonlagerlout
are you talking about major puddles or small bits?
soakaway question can be answered fully on main site
LLL
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:54 pm
by mikesdrive
Thanks for reply LLL,
Area in question is 1bout 1.5m2, it is at the top corner of the drive right next to the highest point.
Looked at the soakaway section on main site and looks like that's no easier option than starting again. looked like concrete would have to be cutout to allow for soakaway to be inserted and for pipework to drainage.
Just trying to work out what should be done and work involved so don't end up with bodged job.
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 6:12 pm
by Ted
There is not a lot you can do if the slab collects water other than relay the whole thing.
You could drill some holes where the water collects so it drains away through these but the problem with this is that the holes invariably get blocked and so in the long term this is not an ideal solution.
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:38 pm
by mikesdrive
Thanks for info,
If they can cut a couple of channels to drain off side of the slab would that possibly work? Don't want them cutting too deep as bound to create weak spot.
Can they do a partial relay or is it all or nothing?
Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 10:07 pm
by Ted
It may well work but it won't be particularly pleasing to the eye.
They may be able to cut out part of the slab and relay it but this is not ideal. It can be very hard to do this and keep the paving pleasing to the eye. It depends on the pattern as to how easy it is to cut out.
What pattern is it? Have you got any photos?
Normally wet spots occur because the contractors got on the mats too early and sank into the concrete too much or they did a poor job of screeding and levelling the concrete.
Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:54 pm
by mikesdrive
They seem to have solved puddle problem, cut out 6" approx square and dug down a metre then inserted plastic pipe with some cutouts in attached to drain cover fitting. Then deepened few channels so drained (flagstone design)
I poured 20 pints of water into it and had all gone when got up (6hrs) not sure of exact time.
Sort of hoping that this will solve problem, companys comment was we can relay quarter of the drive but will be hard to match colour and pattern. Any views?
Apart from having drain grid there happy with look just know that they messed up levels.
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:11 pm
by bobhughes
Glad you got it solved without too much trouble
Seems to make out the case against PIC pretty well
Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:53 pm
by mikesdrive
oh well now just hope it lasts!
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:14 am
by bobbi o
is the drain they installed connected to the existing drainage or is it a soakaway? if it's not connected to your foulwater system,then in the longterm it wont work and is simply a cheap getout to get paid.in our currrent climate its smart to over specify suraface water drainage rather than hope it will work out in times of heavy rain.
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:31 am
by mikesdrive
Just a soakaway 
and pretty much paid up arrsse!!
Only option now is live with it or ask them to completely redo but would guess 2 hopes of that!!
I have original estimate/jobsheet that says all drainage to falls, anything I can do?
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:53 am
by bobbi o
its a common problem with driveways-that they are not laid correctly to falls-ie:theres puddles when it rains.understandably if your shelling out for a new driveway,this is not acceptable and a good reaon not to pay until its sorted. you should write to contractor stating this,if no action a general course would be trading standards then lawyers letter.if you apply enough pressure,it should force them to fix it.but its definetly worth spending the time to pusrsue this to your satisfaction.