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Due to proliferating driveway scammers, many residents get fooled by accepting substandard driveway installation.

One of the major problems of driveway clients is that their money is put to waste when they hire bogus driveway companies, pretending to be legit providers but turning out to be fake using fictitious names.

As a result, the newly installed driveway has lots of problems and is not ready for heavy rains, just as what happened to the recent pavement tarmac scamming.

If you were one of the victims of paving scammers, be aware of your driveway integrity. A poorly installed driveway will cause flooding and leave you helpless when the storm arrives.

Read on to learn how to protect your property from driveway flooding.

Initial steps to find the cause of flooding

Flooding will cause severe damage to your driveway if not given a solution to it. Save your driveway by adopting the following tips on flooding.

1. Find the source of water.
2. Redirect the water flow to a more effective drainage system.
3. Check gutters and downspouts. It is important to note that the terminal of the water coming from the downspouts is directed to the street and then to the main sewage.
4. Dig additional ditches to create a runoff if you think that’s the best path to the water flow.
5. Replace the driveway with more permeable paving.

What happens when your driveway’s slope cause flooding? 

A driveway that creates a pool of water results in problems with the integrity of the surface.

• Poor water runoff contributes to frequent flooding that can extend to your front door
• Ponds are a breeding site for insects
• Flood softens the paving of the driveway
• Will give you a slippery driveway
• Will decrease your home’s reselling value

Follow these tips to prevent driveway flooding

1. Redirect the water flow

• If you can find the cause of flooding, build a different path for water to flow. Wait for the rain and see if the diversion worked.
• If you notice the problem comes from the sloping of the driveway, then the path is not the problem. You need the help of a driveway builder to fix the surface levelling.
• Check the gutter and the downspout. If the water drops from a damaged gutter, it means the water does not fully flow to the downspout. Have your drain fixed to prevent the leak.
• But if the gutter is working fine, try to extend your downspout pipe that will lead the water to a proper drainage system.
• Avoid diverting the water runoff to another property or to the street. With proper channelling, you can prevent the driveway from damage and save yourself from local city fines.

2. Install a new drain

Most drainage systems are overused due to frequent flooding. You know how powerful water is that it will soon give away when it drenched a certain implement. Apart from wear and tear, your drainage could be overly clogged and old.

• Have your driveway builder create a trench drain in your landscape for effective de-flooding.
• Ensure the path is sloped downward to the street to prevent the water from entering the centre pavement. Lead the trench to the drainage point or a dry well.
• For effective water runoff, install a French drain and a dry well as its endpoint to ensure the soil absorbs the collected water from the heavy rain.

A French drain is an effective method in preventing flooding for areas that rain frequently. Install the French drain to a location you think most of the water drips off. This drain is built by digging a long trench that goes towards the dry well. It has a perforated pipe to percolate the water that drips down from the soil.

Before laying the pipe, place a geo-fabric for separating dirt from water that goes into the pipe.

Rebuild your driveway with a new paving

The most common problem of flooding is due to a non-permeable surface of the driveway. A permeable surface is one with a soil base. 

Materials like concrete collect standing water because the concrete is compact and less porous than block paving, tarmac, or gravel.

Even though the changing of the driveway surface is costly and labour intensive, having a flood-free driveway will let you enjoy it more. The driveway contractor you hire can also help you with planning permission if a requirement comes up.

Gravel and tarmacadam are suitable surfaces against flooding. The flood water will naturally flow down in between the gravel particles. The ground will absorb the water fast and will prevent standing water on the surface.

Conclusion

With these tips, you have the option to do it by yourself if you have the necessary tools and equipment. But we highly suggest having someone expert in driveways do the job so they can assess beforehand what to fix.

If you need to talk to licensed driveway contractors, you can contact Bristol Driveway and Patio Pro. They are ready to help.

Call our representatives or send your queries through the websites to take immediate action for your driveway flooding issue.

The most overlooked part of your property is your driveway. It is a home construction that is often neglected when it comes to aesthetics but it serves as the forefront where visitors could easily notice.

While there are different paving options for a driveway, people favour the one that is durable but cheaper.

Is gravel a cheaper driveway paving?

If we are going to compare gravel with other paving surfaces like concrete and tarmac, gravel is way cheaper. It will save you more than half of what you can spend with concrete or tarmac. The only thing you need to prepare for is the upkeep. Nonetheless, it is still more affordable compared to the rest.

Another factor that opens an opportunity for saving some pounds is the length of your driveway. Gravel is a favourable choice for homes with long driveways.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a gravel driveway.

Pros:

• More affordable and cost-efficient
• Cheaper upkeep.
• Environment friendly. It doesn’t cause flooding.
• Diverse in style.
• Easy to install.

Cons:

• Not good in snowy areas. When cleanup time, rocks will be displaced.
• Sinkholes can easily form due to its loose aggregates.
• Can easily get dirty. Debris can be hard to remove.

A gravel driveway is unique in itself. Gravel has its distinct quality even when there are other options available. Whether you choose gravel, the Bristol Driveway team will build it from scratch.

Gravel is an ideal type of surface; it is sustainable and environmentally friendly because it is ideal for flood-prone areas. It easily absorbs and drains the water, leaving no standing water or puddles to worry about.

Gravel, on the other hand, is not a cohesive material because it is made of collective loose stone aggregates. But when bonded together, you will come up with a formidable surface that is suitable for areas with frequent flooding.

Due to its high absorbency, gravel is a perfect catch basin for running water while keeping its integrity no matter the weather condition.

Gravel driveway installation from the experts

A gravel driveway can be built DIY. Doing it on your own will save you hundreds of pounds to pay for skilled labour. Unless you wanted a patterned block or resin and concrete, you need a more skilled person to lay the surface.

But you can opt to hire expert driveway fitters to ensure precise workmanship and save you time.

Here are the steps in laying your gravel driveway and patio:

• Debris is taken out or dug from the ground. Depending on the type of ground, it is best to clean up the area; remove grass or weeds. If there are rocks and other debris, it is better to use a bulldozer to easily prep the ground.
• Measure the area to be paved and ask for recommendations on how much gravel you need for that area.
• Establish four short posts that will serve as the perimeter area for the path.
• Attach strings on posts.
• Level the ground as a preparation for the gravel.
• Cover the inside area with gravel not exceeding the boundary.
• Pour on crusher dust and scree the loose stones to even the surface
• Pour again another layer of gravel
• Spread and compact the top layer/
• Flatten the surface to make it solid or compact

Your gravel driveway should consist of three layers of gravel. Ask our installers for the exact thickness each layer should be if you are unsure of the specifics. Nonetheless, the top layer should provide a more stable and compact surface ready to drive on.

Conclusion

Your gravel driveway and patio will last for years depending on day to day activities and the amount of human traffic. But it will typically serve its purpose for decades if properly maintained.

Harsh and unpredictable weather may harm the integrity of your gravel surface, leaving some potholes and cracks exposed to further damage. If this is so, ensure that these problems are immediately repaired.

Bristol Driveway & Patio Pro specialises in different patio and driveway surfaces types but we graciously welcome customers to request bespoke projects, the ones that will add delight to your home and will serve you in many ways like the gravel.\

Call our team or talk to our customer representative in case you need assistance with repairs and cleaning. Our installers will be more than happy to assist you.

Concrete is material for paving that is neither cheap nor expensive. It is in the middle for a good reason.

Some would say that concrete is a boring material, not that appealing, and presents only in a flat, and not worth the money.

When you look closely, they could be right, but the quality of concrete surpasses other surfaces when it comes to functionality and longevity.

Let us dig further into how you can benefit from a concrete driveway.

The Real Value of Concrete as a Surface for Driveways

Concrete is a very common material used in paving. It is mistakenly known as cement, but it’s not. Cement is just a part of the concrete component, and this composite material has gained popularity over other materials such as tarmac.

When you choose to use concrete for your driveway or patio projects, you can have options on decorative surfaces to play with.

One of Bristol Driveway’s Fantastic Offer

Concrete paving is one of the fantastic services Bristol Driveway and Patio Pro offers. We do concrete paving for your patios, decks, walkways, and driveways. 

Concrete as a material is a highly durable surface. If properly cured, it will last for many years.

The main downside of concrete is when it cracks. Small slits lead to cracks because of heavy pressure or heavy traffic. This means that the component is substandard. With poor installation, concrete will prematurely fail.

Installation

Some homeowners would love to pour concrete and build their driveway with their effort to save. However, concrete installation requires the expertise of an experienced contractor. This is to ensure that the driveway paved with cement will achieve the desired finish and quality.

Concrete is a slurry mixture during preparation. Concrete hardens quickly, so timing is crucial in mixing.

The materials involved and the quality of workmanship implemented in building a driveway made of concrete will dictate the end product’s stability and appeal.

Follow the steps for a perfect installation:

• Check if there is adequate drainage for water run-off
• Prepare the base
• Remove unwanted presence of thrusting objects (protruding pipes, unrooted tree, tree roots)
• Install rebar
• Pour the sufficient amount of cement mix
• Check for interlocking joints
• Cure thereafter
• Cover while wet

Advantages of concrete paving:

• Slabs of concrete are highly durable
• Low maintenance
• Great for large and wide areas of paving
• More durable and appealing than gravel and tarmac
• Can last for 25 to 50 years
• Can bear vehicle traffic for many years
• Can withstand all kinds of weather

Bristol Driveway contractors are dedicated and hardworking people, and they are the people to build your concrete driveway.

Although right now people love hacks and DIYs, they install them by themselves. But nothing beats the works of professionals and skilled people. The job is more manageable and efficient.

Before they begin your driveway, our contractor and installers will inspect your place. The job can be done in a couple of days, but it has to be handled by experts.

They will check if planning permissions are required in your place.

Concrete driveways involve excavation, ground levelling, compacting, laying steel bars, pouring of gravel and sand prior to concrete, and applying finishing touches.

Before excavating, installers ensure the ground is free of grass and that the foundation is stable.

Concrete requires curing so that it can achieve complete hardness after a couple of days. It is important that nothing will intervene during the curing process.

This is done by covering the surface by spraying water on the surface or dampening it from time to time to allow curing time.

A fully functional concrete driveway will take a full month to dry.

A quick look at concreting a surface:

• Installers remove excess concrete and level the topmost surface using a scree
• They sweep the top surface lightly when there is no other decorative option; this adds friction to the surface
• Seal the surface using a sealant
• Place joints for protection against cracks
• Sloping is critical for water runoff
• Continuous curing by sprinkling and covering with plastic sheet

Advantages of a concrete driveway:

• Sturdy
• Low maintenance
• Cost-efficient
• Can be customised (using block pavers)

Concrete driveways generally last for around 20 to 50 years, depending on how reinforced the base is and how many cars you will be parking.

To ensure lifelong benefits from a concrete driveway, talk to our representatives here at Bristol driveways. Theoretically, it seems installation is DIY friendly but it requires hard labour, in which professional installation is the only solution. Call us for more details: 0117 290 0395.

Have you ever thought of the value of your driveway? Day to day, your driveway is one of the most neglected parts of the home, knowing it is also one of the most used, despite the number of cars you have.

Yes, it is a part of your property that doesn’t get much attention but is highly valuable to your home’s curb appeal. Why?

Because it is the first thing people will notice from street view and when visitors come by. That’s why a tarnished driveway due to wear and tear is not appealing and will affect the value of your property.

Common driveway damage is when slits of cracks are getting apparent. These cracks, when unkempt, will grow into bigger damage over time and will become potholes. And like a domino effect, these holes will damage your car’s tires, exhaust, and suspension.

Driving over bumpy surfaces many times a day will cause more trouble to your car and the driveway.

How can you prevent this from happening? Why is your driveway an important part of your daily living?

Common Causes of Driveway Damage

Before making a move to fix your driveway, it is better to know the causes why it is prone to getting potholes and cracks.

Heavy foot and vehicle traffic

Driveway builts have a certain weight capacity, the same as when you pass through roads, highways, and bridges. Since your driveway is for local use, it has a certain limit and thickness. Heavy vehicles aren’t allowed to put too much stress on the surface as they could damage the integrity of the foundation. Most driveways have shallow concrete layers, and what’s beneath is not designed to bear heavier vehicles.

Water

Water pooling on potholes can seep into the bedrock of the driveway and will cause soil shifting. When the soil is softened by flooding due to drainage problems during heavy rains, it will cause the driveway to sink.

Use of chemical substances for de-icing

We know how useless a driveway is when it is full of snow, and it takes time to melt that all away. To speed up the melting, people use rock salt unknowing that this process causes the corrosion of the top layer of the driveway surface. Sometimes, chemicals are used for melting, which is more dangerous than when shovelled. The remaining chemicals will freeze again and when melt will seep into the ground.

Growth of tree on the driveway edge

There is nothing wrong with planting a tree. But make sure that there are no trees near the driveway because the roots will unearth the soil and cause big cracks on the surface. Plant bush or plants that do not grow big roots.

Weather

Weather is a natural phenomenon that you have no control of. What you have is control over your driveway by conducting yearly maintenance. We know that the driveway is vulnerable to extreme temperatures, not to mention natural disasters like earthquakes.

A severely damaged driveway is an eyesore and will decrease its functionality. Sometimes, poor installation is a major cause of damage. That is why it is important to hire reputable driveway fitters and licensed contractors for installation service.

In the meantime, you can do the following:

• Seal the cracks.
• Throw away broken slabs and have them replaced with a new one.
• For bigger damage, it is better to have a new installation or makeover.

For a driveway makeover, Bristol Driveway and Patio Pro are the ones to trust. We have the skilled people and the correct equipment to do the job. And we also tie up with construction supply companies to ensure that we don’t run out of materials.

Given the advancement of labour techniques, driveway installation takes faster than you could ever imagine. It can be done in a day given that all necessary documents have been processed.

Book your next repair with us or request a no-obligation quote on a new driveway project.

Learn more about concrete levelling, filling of voids, and discover other types of surfaces that also suit your home. 

For more information on their services, call us on 0117 290 0395. Visit us on Google: https://g.page/bristol-driveway-patio-pro. 

People movement has become limited with the surge of lockdowns and health restrictions brought by the recent pandemic. Families stayed at home, friends didn’t see each other for a long time, and work colleagues settled to work remotely.

Outdoor gatherings have been restricted to indoor spaces, which is the home.

Nevertheless, it is people’s nature to enjoy the sun and the outside world. And while restrictions are slowly easing down, the importance of outdoor living space wasn’t put on the back burner.

The concept of the outdoors, unbeknownst to many, is already found at home. You may be sick spending too much time at home. Why not spend your time outdoors “in your home?”

The Benefits of Patios

As you explore your property, you will find endless possibilities to kill the boredom from the effects of lockdowns. An outdoor living space, for example, is a worthwhile project you can think of if there is ample space left in your garden.

Your current landscaping can be improved better by considering adding a patio. A patio is a special place that can be built adjoining your home. It is an oasis for your family to fulfill the outdoors in any way you want.

Patios offer tremendous benefits. Let us take them one by one.

Top 5 Benefits of Patios

Relaxation

When you visit a friend’s house over a cup of coffee, the patio is commonly the first spot you land when the homeowner receives you. Sometimes, the patio not only serves as a regular shed but a place where good conversations happen. It is a great place to relax. With a patio, people can use it as an extended workplace when they feel burned by the monotony of their office space inside the home.

Party corner

Patios can serve as the main stage for parties at home. If you are holding a kiddie party, the patio can be that spot where you can place the implements of the event; sound system, party theme facade, food, etc.

Increased property value

Over and over again, any improvement you put into your property will help it level up in terms of value. First, materials used in building your patio are increasing every year. So, your patio’s value increases too. And as a package, your home’s worth will depend on how much appreciation value is set for the time it will be sold, in case you plan to resell it.

Privacy

More remarkable studies have found out that people with an outdoor space, thus, patio or garden, had healthier well-being than those without during the pandemic. An outside area, enabling one to see the view outside without being confined indoors, helps one be calm, relax, and have a sense of self-worth. The idea of staying outside the home improves the mood, relieving people from stress and anxiety.

This also shows that people with garden landscapes have healthier minds than those who do not have gardens and have cramped spaces at home.

Staying on the patio makes us happy.

Brings Out One’s Creativity

When given the chance to design your patio, there are endless designs that will come up. Patio installers from Bristol Driveway and Patio Pro have a showcase of inspirational patio designs you can try at your home.

It would be best if you considered what materials to use and what is available by your supplier. You can also play with colors and surfacing. You may try patio materials that are durable against warping and weathering and resistant to decay.

Weather, for one, is the number one enemy of outdoor space. So you have to be careful in planning and choosing. Ensure that the patio you are planning to add can withstand all kinds of damage from exposure to the outside.

Conclusion

With a beautifully designed patio, people will know that the selling price is higher than when there was no patio.

Perhaps you have many other reasons for wanting a patio. By allowing yourself to design your patio, you will improve your home’s aesthetics on a higher level because a personalised home space lets you enjoy life to the fullest.

Outdoor patios are popular today. If you want to add a patio or personalise the existing one, Bristol Driveway & Patio Pro will help you materialize that. 

If you’re thinking of adding a patio to your house, there are a few things you need to consider first. You may be tempted to just start digging and see what happens, but this is a sure-fire way to waste money and time. A patio is a great way to add value to your home, and also to make your house more functional and comfortable.

Since patios are such a prominent feature of your garden landscape, it is important that they be planned and built properly.  They can be quite beautiful if the right materials are used, and they don’t have to be expensive.  If you are planning one for your home, these tips will help you put it in the right place, and get the most enjoyment out of it for years to come.

Why build a patio?

Here at the Bristol Driveway & Patio Pro we love patios because they are a source of real enjoyment for those balmy summer days and mild evenings. They are the perfect place to spend time outdoors and if your home has a great patio area we know the satisfaction and pride that’s comes with it.

We aim to build your perfect outside landscape and will work hard with the design element combining our experience with your vision to build something that will set your property apart from the rest.Obviously a home improvement of this nature will definitely add curb appeal and value to home if you plan on reselling someday. But usually a fantastic patio is an indulgence that benefits those who plan to live many happy years in the comfort of their home.

1. Finding the best contractor for the job or DIY?

Most construction works involving groundworks can be more challenging than other DIY projects. This is why we would recommend using a contractor who has the knowledge, skills, tools, and experience of this professional type of work. This is because some of the materials and processes used do require a skill and knowledge that the average homeowners don’t have, sure you can watch the You Tube videos and give it a go but often this can lead to money and time being wasted when the desired outcome is not achieved. Resulting in a pro contractor being brought in anyway.

We’ve lost count the amount of times we have been called in to rescue a job attempted by an enthusiastic DIYer where the process has overcome them.

So only attempt this is you do have some building experience or have someone who has who can help with the build.

• The Process of Building a Patio

Building a patio is sometimes likened to a puzzle where pieces have to be found and assembled so that they all fit together perfectly. This is especially true when different shaped slabs or stones are used as the surface. The basic process can be outlined in some simple steps

• First is the design phase where you measure your area and decide which features you would like, the type of surface and the type of landscaping work that is going to be required. Making sure before you start that you understand exactly what you want to achieve and the processes and materials required to make that happen.
• Next is the excavation. The ground will need to be dug out so that the base layer can be laid down. This would normally be sand or gravel in the example of laying slabs, block or stones.
• Then it’s always a good idea to lay a membrane of weed preventing fabric or

• Choosing the perfect surface

With regards to materials, patios are made of practically one of six fundamental materials. It’s how you manage these materials that can give your open air surface an individual look or individual articulation. The surface type you pick will be controlled by the end result desired, the area of the yard, your financial plan, and the size of the outside space.

Here at the Patio Pro we will give you up to 5 different options to choose from – We can help with slab laying, stone, block paving, resin bound, and concrete or even tarmac patio construction. We can also provide any major groundworks including landscaping, retaining walls, raised flowerbed and we also have a specialist team providing deck building in Bristol.

Call us today on 0117 290 0395

Visit our homepage if you require help building your perfect patio https://www.bristoldrivewayspro.co.uk/patio-bristol

Can you build your own driveway?

Almost anything is possible under the sun. When you desire for a new driveway, we always suspect you will be running into some DIYs. Since the Internet age came and invaded our lives, almost everything is served on a silver platter. Many people seek help by just Googling their query and in a snap they get tons of answers.

As for building driveways, the answer is always yes, and the World Wide Web will yield results for everything you need, all the steps, materials, duration, costs, etc. But for us, our answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. How’s this?

Building a driveway can be done by referring to the instructional videos available. For example, if you are planning to build a concrete driveway, it is less challenging pouring concrete over a base or ground, but it could become a complicated task when it comes to leveling, determining the amount of cement, and getting an attractive result. The complete installation of a concrete driveway is a tough job and can only be perfected by an experienced builder.

As for all types of driveways, here are the common things involved:

• Building a base where you can pour the first layer of the surface, such as gravel or sand
• Determining the slope and level to align with your home’s drainage and to prevent it from future puddles
• You need to have complete equipment or building tools
• You know how to measure the perimeter for your driveway
• You should understand the condition of your soil so that you know what surface type is appropriate for your land

Everything looks easy when you watch how it is done. But there is no compromising for the job of a professional driveway builder. Whether your budget works tight for you or you have other plans in choosing to build your driveway by your own skill, it’s your choice. The benefits of a newly laid driveway no matter who built it or what it’s made of will be reaped at the end.

What is the cheapest type of driveway?

It’s just easy to cite which driveway will cost you less. However, several factors affect one’s choice and decision on what type of driveway is to be built on your property. The things you should be considering before you begin your driveway project are the following:

• Size and dimension. You need to think of your whole property. How big is your home? How much do you have spare land for your driveway? How much length could this be? And How wide? Typical driveways are either rectangular or square. But more common to them all is that it has to fit an average passenger car with a little room to go around. If you live in the suburban spaces, chances are that your driveway will have an unorthodox space. Meaning, you can have the freedom to decide how spacious your driveway could be. With size comes the responsibility to pay more out of your budget.
• Budget. The outcome of your driveway project will depend on how much you have in the bank to spare for it. Considering the above factor, any changes or additions to your project will affect your spending. So, if you need to go by your driveway choice, you need to be ready for all the expenses. If you decide based on the materials and paving, you can go cheap with gravel, as this is the most affordable driveway surface and requires minimum maintenance. If you can spare a little more of your funds, you can opt for concrete or tarmac. These are more cohesive surfaces and add to your property’s aesthetics. But if you can really shake up your piggy bank, you can go to a more sophisticated type in blocks paving, tiles, or bricks, and resin bound. Whatever is your top priority, for sure you have the allotted budget for that.
• Maintenance. Let’s say you chose the gravel driveway. It is expected that this type of surface requires periodic maintenance especially when the substrate of soil moves over time. The downside of gravel is that the aggregates are too loose for water to penetrate the subbase and in time may sink. So, new gravel must be added when this happens.

How deep do you need to dig for a driveway?

Your driveway is intended for parking your vehicles. We know at all that vehicles have a certain weight and this affects the stability of the surface when used over the years. Always consider the amount of vehicle and human traffic so that the builder can determine the proportion of thickness from the base to the surface. For example, if you are building a concrete driveway, your base should be around 6 inches deeper than the thickness of the top surface. For many cars parked altogether, add more inches to the base and more to the surface. The ratio of thickness and depth always depend on the materials you choose. Our reliable driveway builder in Bristol will assist you on these matters.

How soon can I use my new driveway?

Many drivers and homeowners get very excited to drive in or away from their newly built paving. Your frontyard is something to be proud of. The reason you spend a lot of money for your drive makeover is because you want to feel the new pavement beneath your car’s wheels instantly.

The time to wait for your new surface before its ready to use depends on the type of material you availed from your contractor. Ideally, if you opt for a tarmacadam driveway, the surface which is composed of hot tar, should take around 24 hours before it gets dried up. For other surface types like concrete, block paving, resin bound, and gravel, you need to inquire with your trusted driveway contractor because different materials involve different times on building and drying.

Using a good product for your surface will also determine the longevity of your driveway. You also have to consider the level of workmanship put in every project undertaken by your contractor.

What’s the best driveway to have in Bristol?

In Bristol, we do block paving, concrete, tarmac, gravel, and resin bound. If your existing surface is a huge mess, professional contractors in Bristol Driveway & Patio Pro will fix it. We turn your old into stunning front yards that will change the aesthetics of your property forever.

We offer a fantastic and first-class driveway service. All you have to do is call us and our representative will answer your queries. Enjoy our no-obligation quote when you call today.