Do I Need Drainage for my Driveway?

Key takeaways:

• You’ll need drainage for your driveway if it exceeds 5m².
• You may also need planning permission if your driveway isn’t made of permeable materials and sufficient drainage isn’t in place.
• Permeable surfaces won’t require you to add additional drainage.
• You might be fined if your driveway doesn’t comply with current rules, and could even be asked to retrofit your driveway.

If you are considering a new driveway or plan to alter your existing one, paying attention to the existing guidance and legislation on driveway drainage is essential. In the UK, we have rules in place relating to drainage that stipulate that if the space is more than 5m², there must be sufficient, proper drainage in place to manage surface water and prevent flooding. This applies to driveways, patios and any other outdoor spaces that exceed those measurements.

What do the regulations for driveway drainage say?

In simple terms, if your driveway is larger than 5m², you need drainage in place to ensure there is sufficient management of surface water. If it’s smaller, you don’t. This drainage can be via porous surface materials, which allow water to soak through or be diverted to the garden or through drainage systems built into the driveway itself.

Water cannot be channelled from your driveway into a public drain unless you have specific permissions. In simple terms, regulations state that rainwater falling on your driveway must be captured within your property boundaries, unless you have planning permission for it to flow into public drains.

 If non-porous surfaces are being used, suitable drainage must be in place to prevent the materials from absorbing any pollutants.

All run-off water must be captured within the boundary of the property, too. If that is not possible, and the driveway exceeds 5m², planning permission will be required.

For full compliance and more effective driveway drainage, SuDs drainage solutions are often preferred.

What does SuDs mean?

SuDs or Sustainable Drainage Systems are specific drainage systems designed to manage surface water by allowing it to soak into the ground, flow into natural watercourses, or be stored temporarily.  This system – rather than allowing rainfall to flow into public drains and overwhelming them – keeps the water within the property boundary, resulting in a reduced flood risk and improved water management. With such a controlled system in place, property owners can help to:

• Prevent flooding
• Reduce the workload of public drainage systems
• Improve water quality
• Enhance the surrounding green spaces

What are the exemptions for needing a driveway drainage system?

In some cases, you won’t need to alter your driveway or implement a new system at all, even if the driveway exceeds the 5m² regulations.

Permeable materials

If your driveway has a permeable surface, it will not require a drainage system to be built into it, as the materials used manage water runoff sufficiently.

Natural drainage

If rainwater is directed towards lawns or borders, there won’t be any need for additional drainage to be implemented.

Smaller than 5m²

If your driveway covers less than 5m², you’ll be exempt from the drainage regulations, although sufficient drainage is advised to prevent surface water flooding, especially in areas that regularly experience high levels of rainfall.

How can I keep my driveway compliant with drainage regulations?

There are four ways your driveway can be compliant with current drainage regulations. One we’ve touched upon already is the use of permeable surface materials. The other options are:

• Soak-away: By using an underground soak-away crate that is connected to the driveway drainage channels, rainwater is captured within the property boundary. The crate must be at least 5 metres from your home and 2 metres from the boundary.
• Garden capture: With the slope of the driveway, water is diverted into permeable areas of the garden, such as lawns or flowerbeds.
• Harvesting: With an underground reservoir connected to driveway drainage channels, a pump sends water to above-ground water storage, allowing the water to be used again.

What permeable surfaces can I use for driveway drainage?

If you are considering a new driveway and prefer to use permeable surface materials rather than implement additional drainage systems, there are plenty of options to choose from. With surfaces like these, you won’t need to retrofit anything, and you’ll be compliant with the regulations right away.

• Porous asphalt: A budget-friendly option that allows water to drain through the surface.
• Gravel: Gravel driveways are easy to install, affordable and most of all, deliver excellent permeability.
• Permeable block paving: Block paving driveways always look great, and when you choose a variant that allows water to drain through, you have a durable, attractive-looking drive.

Will I need planning permission for my driveway drainage?

Planning permission is needed if your driveway uses non-permeable materials and covers more than 5m². However, these aren’t the only times when you may need to seek approval for making alterations to your driveway.

If your changes mean that the gradient of the driveway will be altered, you’ll likely need permission before proceeding. The same can be said for altering access points. If they are extended significantly, you’ll need approval before any work can begin.

You’ll also need to check whether your driveway is close to any body of water or within a local conservation area. If it is, the council may require you to gain permission before making any changes.

Could I install a driveway drainage system myself?

If your driveway is not made of permeable materials and is larger than 5m², you’ll need sufficient driveway drainage installed. It isn’t a complicated job, but it does require a degree of care and attention. A slight mistake with connecting pipes or digging trenches could lead to your driveway struggling to cope with even the smallest deluges of rain. We’ve compiled a guide for installing driveway drainage channels to help make things much easier. If you are in doubt, speak to our team.

Driveway drainage maintenance

With a drainage system in place, you must regularly keep on top of maintenance to ensure the system functions as it should. This way you avoid flooding, surface damage and potentially expensive repairs.

After storms

If there has been stormy weather, the drain may be handling increased water flow and potentially a variety of debris. Inspect it after a storm to check that it functions correctly and remove any blockages.

Seasonal checks

During Spring and Autumn, your driveway drainage may need some additional attention. Perhaps even a weekly or bi-weekly check. Leaves and other debris accumulate quickly and can lead to blockages. In the Summer, you can check your drains less frequently, perhaps every two months. Just make sure you clean them on each check to remove anything that may be starting to restrict the functionality. In Winter, you’ll need to ensure nothing has been blocked in the system and frozen. Ice buildup can cause significant damage if not addressed quickly.

High traffic areas

If your driveway is in an area of regular heavy rainfall or handles lots of traffic, conduct regular inspections and cleaning. Leaving a problem for an extra day or two can result in larger issues to contend with in the future.

My driveway is flooding, but I have drainage in place

In most cases, this is due to blockages within the system rather than the surface itself. You might need to inspect the drainage more frequently or conduct more thorough cleaning. A few signs could indicate the issues.

• Water pooling – Clear any surface debris to reduce the risk of flooding.
• Gurgling sounds – Potential blockages within the system, clear with drain rods to avoid potential structural damage.
• Mould – Mould can attract pests, and pests can set up home in areas they feel safe. This could lead to blockages. Clean the system often to prevent mould growth.

At Tidey & Webb, we install permeable, SuDs-compliant driveways across the South of England. With more than 30 years of experience, our helpful team is on hand to rectify your drainage issues and deliver you a long-term driveway solution. Contact us today to get a free quote or ask us any questions about your driveway drainage issues.