As urbanisation takes hold and the number of cars on the road increases, it’s no surprise that Britons have taken to paving their front gardens. After all, the increase of Controlled Parking Zones, a boom in the buy-to-let market, and the fact a paved front garden can add 8% to your home’s value are all compelling reasons to get rid of the greenery.
However, there are risks when it comes to paving your garden, although these can be mitigated with the use of the right paving material and professional paving company.
Garden Drainage Problems – Urban Flooding
Garden’s prevent flooding by their very nature, as grass and soil soaks up water. If an area is paved, rain and wastewater will still follow the route of least resistance and cause paving water run off. This can lead to your garden drainage systems becoming overwhelmed and a flooded area around your property.
Worse still are the risks to drainage systems on roads or neighbouring properties. As more people pave their front gardens, the risk of street drains flooding increases dramatically.
Impact on Wildlife
This may be something you haven’t considered when looking at paving, but it’s more than just water that needs to be drained. If you’re parking your car on an impermeable and improperly installed paved surface, oil, petrol, and brake dust will mix with the water and be washed into drains. Many of these drains flow directly into streams and rivers.
Using Drainage Systems
While porous material goes a long way to reducing the risk of surface flooding, you should also discuss additional drainage requirements with your paving installer. If you’re planning on using non-porous paving material, you’ll certainly need an impressive draining system.
Talk with your paving supplier about stone first, as you’ll need to factor in pavement gradients, where the water will be draining to, and the different types of pipes required for different areas.
In the end, a comprehensive drainage system is often more trouble and expense than getting the right paving professionally installed. It’s best to choose your paving installer wisely and plan your drainage system accordingly.
The Importance of Permeable and Porous Materials
The ability of your garden to drain properly will largely come down to the paving material used. Gravel drains well, as do certain types of stone. Even permeable asphalt and concrete block drains well, although you shouldn’t destroy the beauty of your home by choosing drab material.
A variety of different porous and permeable surfaces can often integrate well together, solving practical drainage problems while adding appeal and value.
Planning Permissions for Paved Gardens
Your choice of paving materials, and your plan to correctly install these materials, will make a huge difference to your planning permission requirements. In England, you won’t need planning permission if you’re using permeable or porous paving or if the water is able to drain naturally to a lawn or border.
However, if the area is more than five square metres, and water won’t be running to a permeable area, you will need planning permission. In Wales, you must use permeable or porous material if paving your front garden, or at least have permeable or porous surfaces to catch water runoff.
Not a DIY Job
There’s a lot to consider when choosing to pave your garden and this isn’t something that should be done yourself unless you’re a professional. Installing paving correctly will ensure water drains to the right areas. There are also plenty of ways that paving can add value to your property, but only if it’s done right.
At Minster Paving we can provide your garden with beautiful and practical paving, for more information get in touch with one of our team today by calling 01865 300252 or contact us online.
