Five top tips to pave the way for effective drainage

With the unpredictable weather in the UK often leading to standing water in paved areas, steps must be taken to prevent this aesthetically unpleasant, and at times dangerous, issue from happening.

Neil Higgins, Product Training Manager at ACO Water Management, gives his top five tips for combatting the problem:

1. Logical design

Water cannot flow uphill. Despite seeming obvious, this is something I frequently encounter in the design stage of a paving project. It is often as a result of the customer understandably wanting a particular route for the water to travel along, but uphill runoff is not achievable. It is important to know the limitations of drainage, in order to find the best possible solution for paved areas.

2. Slopes are unnecessary

Provided the drainage channel is flat and even, and the outlet is below this level, water will be able to flow away from the paved area. Constructing a slope when it is not necessary is expensive and time consuming, and by addressing this frequently held misconception, contractors can free up time to tackle other areas of the project.

3. Fit for purpose

Ensuring that paving drainage is specified according to the unique requirements of the application will ensure it works effectively. For example, the load class needs to be carefully considered; if the paving area is exclusively for pedestrian use, such as in a back garden, then an A 15 solution is appropriate. However, if it’s for a domestic driveway, a B 125 system should be the minimum classification considered.

4. Ongoing Maintenance

To keep the channel running efficiently, it needs to be regularly cleared and maintained, as dust and dirt leads to an inevitable build-up of silt over time. Future maintenance needs to be considered at the design stage, and depending on the type of channel used, this may require dedicated access points to guarantee the ongoing efficiency of the drainage system.

5. Completing the look

It is important to view drainage as something that is both practical and capable of contributing to the aesthetic finish of a paving project. ACO’s ‘Complete the Look’ range offers versatility in terms of visual finish, equipping contractors with the ability to match drainage to the surrounding area.