Best drive . . . . surface?

[Phillmore]

Despite a double garage my classic car 'collection' still spills onto the drive. The garage is used as a workshop so realistically some cars sit on the drive whilst not being driven. I use half covers to stop rain seeping past ancient window seals but am aware that moisture and damp will rise from below and aid the rusting problem underneath. My old tarmac drive is now in need of attention so to my question?

Which do you think is the best surface type to minimise rising damp?

1. Tarmac/block paving

2. Chippings.

It would seem to be a balance between drainage,percolation and evaporation?

[JT7196]

Hi Andy, well we have a paving block Drive and it looks very nice, the only drawback is that it is not maintenance free, i.e. weeds , and the fact that it will need re- sanding at least onced a year, and of course, those oil stains will show up !!
Gravel, I would say is a No- no, this is primarily because it will hold the moisture
, and of course, it does get just about everywhere !
So, you've probably guessed that good old fashioned Tar. Mac would be the best option in my opinion.

Best wishes, A'l

[Phillmore]

Thanks Al. You may well be right but I was considering doing the job myself which would leave just block paving or chippings. I was wondering whether chippings allowed the moisture to percolate into the ground and so evaporate less than paving? Or would it be trapped longer and cause more damp? Decisions decisions!

[Phillmore]

And of course either way they would be black to camouflage the oil stains!

[John-B]

I think that the type of surface won't make much difference, damp will come from the air underneath.

A carcoon https://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-airflow ... in-outdoor is probably the only answer, but they are expensive and it sounds as if you need several. They have a base mat which zips to the cover.

[Warsash 2]

Hi
Around here if you want to change the surface of your drive you need planning permission. Something to do with flood risk and the surface allowing the water to seep through and not run off.
Regards
Colin

[theoldman]

I wonder if you can get brick weave in dark blue shiny non - porous engineering type brick?

Would solve the oil and other classic vehicle effluent problem............just soap and a hose..............

Just a thought.

[Salmons]

We have brick weave paving, very pretty wife very pleased. BUT you dare not jack a car up on it!

[Phillmore]

And that's the biggest problem with chippings (despite being the cheapest option), jacking and axle stands etc will need wooden blocks and of course that dropped washer that takes two hours to find on a hard surface will be lost forever! Having said that it's just the ground moisture issue that I want to establish at the moment?

[Crossley Stephenson]

By chippings I presume you mean a type of gravel. From my experience gravel is a pain in the proverbial and if I had my time again it would be Tarmac or concrete for me.

Michael