Tarmac driveway planning

An existing driveway may look worn without having the same defect everywhere. Local cracking, widespread sinking and surface wear suggest different questions. A new surface over moving ground can leave the underlying problem unresolved. Assess the support, levels and condition rather than assuming that every old driveway is suitable for an overlay.

Where removal is required, include excavation, disposal and the specified foundation in the scope. Where an overlay is proposed, ask what justifies retaining the existing construction and how finished levels will work at the house, pavement and drains. These details explain more about the project than a description of the surface colour.

The edges help contain the surfacing and define the shape of the parking area. Check where cars turn, where wheels run close to a boundary and how the driveway meets paths or planting. An attractive outline should also leave usable pedestrian access and space around doors, bins and entrances.

If the drive is being widened, plan how the old and new construction meet. A larger parking area can change water routes and may require changes to edges or retaining features. Highway access and any dropped kerb requirements are separate checks. Do not assume an existing opening authorises every proposed alteration.

Conventional asphalt surfacing should not be assumed to be permeable. Establish where rainwater will travel and whether a permeable specification or other drainage arrangement is appropriate. Falls, channels and the receiving drainage need considering as a complete system, especially where the driveway approaches the house.

Look at standing water on the current frontage and tell us when it occurs. A puddle can reflect levels, blocked drainage or problems below the surface. Simply applying another layer is not a drainage plan. Planning requirements can depend on the proposed hardstanding and water disposal, so check them for the actual property.

Tarmac driveway cost depends on area, preparation, access, surfacing specification and edge or drainage work. A price per square metre only becomes useful when the included tasks are known. Compare removal, foundations and finishing details, not an average cost of tarmac driveway taken from a project with different ground conditions.

Tarmac driveway sealing is a separate maintenance question, not a substitute for repairing structural movement. Check whether a proposed treatment is compatible with the existing surface and follow the product’s preparation requirements. The block paving sealing page concerns a different material; those instructions should not be carried across to asphalt without checking suitability.