Proper drainage will stop water from pooling on and under your driveway pavement. This helps prevent water damage that can threaten the stability of the structure, and it also makes the surface safer and more easily navigable. Below, discover a few ways to promote healthy driveway drainage.
A Guide to Driveway Drainage Solutions
1. Extend Gutter Downspouts
Gutters often contribute to driveway pavement flooding, especially when the surface is on a slope lower than the home. Next time it rains, see if the downspouts are playing a role in your wet driveway. If so, an easy solution is to expand the downspouts with extension pieces that route water away from both the driveway and the home.
Be sure to position the extensions so they channel water toward the street or toward a drain, not to another part of your property—or a neighboring property—where they could cause water to collect and overflow.
2. Dig a Swale
A swale is a trench with slanted sides and a bottom lined with gravel. It allows the soil underneath to slowly absorb the water runoff. Position it so water flows into the side of the swale and is channeled downhill as much as possible.
Most swales are dug about 18 inches deep and 36 inches wide, with a three-inch layer of gravel along the bottom. Grass, irises, lilies, and other water-loving plants can be planted alongside it to reap the benefits of the excess moisture.
3. Install a French Drain
A French drain is similar to a swale, but it contains a perforated pipe that helps further direct water away from the driveway pavement. The trench should run along the side of the pavement, with a slope of at least one inch every 10 feet. This option is best suited for driveways that tend to collect higher volumes of water.
