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Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 12:51 pm
by dunc85
OK so this is probably a stupid question but I've spent ages on the site and couldn't find a definitive answer.
Is it possible to have a permeable driveway when using natural stone slabs? Looking on here it seems the base would have to be concrete or mortar, ruling out any permeability.
I'd like to extend my current drive which is made from old stone slabs, but I have no idea of the base, the slabs just have grass growing between them. Based on the age of the house, I guess they could just be laid on bare soil.
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 5:48 pm
by Tony McC
The short answer is: Yes
However, it can be quite a challenge to find a suitable laying method. The best so-called solution I've seen so far is to use a no-fines concrete as the bed, laid over a Type 3 sub-base with a permeable geo-textile (TDP115 works well). Use the GapFast permeable Joint Spacers (around 10mm or so) to create your wider-than-normal joints, and then fill with the usual 6mm grit.
If I ever get time, I *will* draw this up and post it on the website as it's a technique we are going to see used more and more as permeable paving becomes the norm rather than the exception (probably not in my lifetime, but eventually it will!)
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:43 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Tony McC wrote:we are going to see used more and more as permeable paving becomes the norm rather than the exception (probably not in my lifetime, but eventually it will!)
hmm cant see it happening
a mate of mine just finished a 100 m drive in harpenden on a £2mill house new build
all permeable
he went back to do some snagging and the landscapers have turned up and had 10 tonnes of topsoil tipped straight on the new drive
:O
there's a nice 25 grand flower garden in the making
LLL
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:15 am
by Tony McC
That's landscapers for you - anything more complicated than 'green side up' and they are buggered!
There's a burgeoning political will and social necessity driving the change to more permable paving. It will take at least a generation, but is *will* happen.
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:01 am
by Carberry
Tony McC wrote:The short answer is: Yes
However, it can be quite a challenge to find a suitable laying method. The best so-called solution I've seen so far is to use a no-fines concrete as the bed, laid over a Type 3 sub-base with a permeable geo-textile (TDP115 works well). Use the GapFast permeable Joint Spacers (around 10mm or so) to create your wider-than-normal joints, and then fill with the usual 6mm grit.
If I ever get time, I *will* draw this up and post it on the website as it's a technique we are going to see used more and more as permeable paving becomes the norm rather than the exception (probably not in my lifetime, but eventually it will!)
At what point is a driveway defined as permeable? Is there a legally defined amount of water that must be able to pass through it every hour?
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:40 pm
by KLS
Tony McC wrote:That's landscapers for you - anything more complicated than 'green side up' and they are buggered!
There's a burgeoning political will and social necessity driving the change to more permable paving. It will take at least a generation, but is *will* happen.
:O We're not all that bad!!! 
Please say they at least boarded the area the soil was dropped on?!
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 6:19 pm
by lutonlagerlout
thats the whole point
tipped by ******** straight onto the permeable drive
probably lost half a tonne in the joints
just waiting for the weeds now
LLL