Driveway water/ice problem

Daox · 05-09-12, 08:35 AM

This weekend I'm headed to my Dad's place. He has an issue with ice on his driveway in winter (and water in summer too I suppose). I was really hoping to have actual photos but I haven't recieved them yet. The picture shows roughly what I'm thinking of doing though. There is a small hill to the north side of his driveway. Ice melts and water drains toward the driveway. In the winter the ice refreezes and creates a very slick glazing on the driveway. As of right now there is a small ditch next to the driveway. I'm thinking its not quite enough to keep the water away. So, the plan is to dig it deeper and wider and regrade the ditch length wise to drain water better. Of course I have a few questions:

1) Does this sound reasonable? Other ideas?
2) Is there a minimum pitch should I dig the new ditch (length wise) to to remove water along the length of the ditch?

herlichka · 05-09-12, 05:12 PM

If appearance or safety are issues a second option may to dig a narrow trench 2-3feet deep, place perforated drainage pipe c/w filter cloth or sock, and backfill with clear stone. Place the pipe with a decent fall, nominally 1/4" per foot, and try to bring the downhill end out at grade. If the area remains snow covered then the frost should not penetrate down to the pipe, even at a relatively shallow depth, and some of the water may even penetrate into the soil as it goes down.

05-09-12, 08:35 AM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Driveway water/ice problem This weekend I'm headed to my Dad's place. He has an issue with ice on his driveway in winter (and water in summer too I suppose). I was really hoping to have actual photos but I haven't recieved them yet. The picture shows roughly what I'm thinking of doing though. There is a small hill to the north side of his driveway. Ice melts and water drains toward the driveway. In the winter the ice refreezes and creates a very slick glazing on the driveway. As of right now there is a small ditch next to the driveway. I'm thinking its not quite enough to keep the water away. So, the plan is to dig it deeper and wider and regrade the ditch length wise to drain water better. Of course I have a few questions: 1) Does this sound reasonable? Other ideas? 2) Is there a minimum pitch should I dig the new ditch (length wise) to to remove water along the length of the ditch? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-09-12, 05:12 PM	#2
herlichka Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada Posts: 102 Thanks: 11 Thanked 15 Times in 10 Posts	If appearance or safety are issues a second option may to dig a narrow trench 2-3feet deep, place perforated drainage pipe c/w filter cloth or sock, and backfill with clear stone. Place the pipe with a decent fall, nominally 1/4" per foot, and try to bring the downhill end out at grade. If the area remains snow covered then the frost should not penetrate down to the pipe, even at a relatively shallow depth, and some of the water may even penetrate into the soil as it goes down. Last edited by herlichka; 05-09-12 at 05:15 PM.. Reason: Grammar