There are many considerations that go into laying down a new concrete driveway on your land, such as its dimensions, direction and the materials it will be made from. However, one consideration that is often overlooked is how your new driveway will affect water drainage properties; this can become a bigger headache than you might imagine, as a driveway can dramatically impinge swift water drainage during rainfall, potentially leading to waterlogged soil and localised flooding on your land.

In the past, the only way to get around these drainage problems was to construct a driveway made from permeable materials, such as gravel or pavers. However, the smooth, sleek looks of a poured concrete driveway can now be yours without having to worry about drainage issues, thanks to permeable concrete.

What is permeable concrete?

A relatively new addition to the field of concrete laying, permeable concrete is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin; a variety of concrete that, when fully dried and cured, allows water to pass through its surface swiftly. This effect is achieved by using larger aggregates and sand granules in the concrete mix than you would with ordinary concrete. These larger particles create channels and voids in the dried concrete through which water can pass unimpeded.

Why should I used permeable concrete to construct my new driveway?

Because permeable concrete allows water to pass through its surface easily, it has similar drainage characteristics to uncovered earth. This property can have a number of benefits:

No need for dedicated drains

Because water passes through a permeable concrete drive, you do not need to worry about constructing french drains, trench drains and other drainage structures to catch large amounts of water runoff from your finished driveway. Instead, the water passes through the concrete itself into the aggregate that is laid beneath it.

No localised flooding

Permeable concrete prevents flooding by allowing rainwater to drain into the ground as soon as it falls on your driveway, ensuring that water drainage is evenly distributed.

Reduced slip hazards

Preventing puddles of standing water from sitting on the surface of your driveway can also make your driveway much safer to walk and drive across in wet weather, as even a small puddle of standing water can present a serious slip hazard and reduce the traction provided by car tyres. As an added bonus, permeable concrete has a slightly rougher surface than most conventional concretes, providing even surer footing.

Share