In Yorkshire, heavy rainfall is part of life. But that doesn’t mean your driveway or patio should turn into a paddling pool every time it pours. Poor surface water drainage is one of the most common causes of property damage, and one of the easiest to overlook until its too late.
DMI Draincare & Groundworks has helped countless homeowners across Selby, Goole, York, and surrounding areas stop flooding before it causes serious damage. No matter if you’re seeing puddles on your driveway, water creeping toward your home, or damp patches in your garden, it could all be down to one issue: bad drainage design.
Lets explore why drainage matters, what causes flooding around patios and driveways, and how to fix it. Permanently.
The Hidden Cost of Poor Surface Drainage
Surface water from rainfall needs somewhere to go. If your driveway or patio isn’t designed to shed and divert this water effectively, it can back up, stagnate, or flow where it shouldn’t. That excess water may seem harmless at first, but over time it leads to cracks in paving, frost damage in winter, and even water seepage into your homes foundation.
In some cases, water damage can affect brickwork, garages or internal flooring, all of which cost far more to repair than the price of a good drainage system. Many homeowners don’t realise the full cost until its too late.
What Causes Driveway and Patio Flooding?
There are several reasons why water fails to drain properly from paved surfaces. One of the most common is incorrect patio or driveway levels. When patios are laid flat, or worse, sloped towards the property. Water has nowhere to go but towards the walls or back door.
Another frequent cause is clogged or missing drainage features. Many driveways lack proper ACO channel drains or soakaway systems. Others may have them, but neglect regular cleaning. Over time, silt, leaves, and moss build up, stopping the water from flowing freely.
Outdated or poorly laid drains can also fail below the surface. If you have underground pipework thats collapsed or blocked, no amount of surface adjustments will solve the issue. In those cases, a CCTV drain inspection is the best way to see whats going on beneath the surface.
How We Solve It: The Right Way
At DMI, we take a tailored approach to driveway and patio drainage. We don’t just add a few drains and hope for the best. We assess the full site: the levels, soil type, water flow, surface type, and existing infrastructure. Then we design a drainage system that actually works for your property.
That might involve installing new ACO channels to collect water at the right point. Or retrofitting a soakaway system to allow water to disperse safely underground. In some cases, we recommend replacing or relaying sections of paving to correct the gradient and redirect water flow.
We also provide full groundworks support, so we can carry out any digging, trenching or foundation work needed to complete the system.
We are not landscapers adding a drain as an afterthought. We are drainage experts making sure your home stays dry, even during Yorkshires worst storms.
Local, Trusted and Ready to Help
We are a local team based in Yorkshire, working across Selby, Goole, York, Knaresborough, Harrogate and beyond. We’re not a national franchise or call centre. When you call us, you are speaking to the team that will actually do the job.
Our customers trust us because we:
- Turn up on time
- Work cleanly and professionally
- Provide honest advice and fair quotes
- Only recommend whats actually needed
Just check our 5-star Google reviews to see why people come back to us time and again.
Spot the Warning Signs Before Its Too Late
If you notice any of the following, its time to get your patio or driveway drainage checked:
- Water sitting for hours or days after rainfall
- Slippery algae forming on surfaces
- Water flowing toward your home
- Moss growth between paving
- Staining around doors or bricks
These are all signs that drainage isn’t working. The sooner you act, the easier and cheaper it is to fix.
Get a Free Quote
We offer free assessments across Yorkshire. Whether you are concerned about flooding or just want to futureproof your home, we’ll inspect your site and provide a clear quote with no obligation.
Call Us:
Office 01757 429296
Out of Hours 07947978854
Email:
info@dmidraincareandgroundworks.co.uk
FAQ: Driveway & Patio Drainage
1. Do you work with newly laid driveways?
Yes. We often install drainage as part of new driveway builds or work alongside paving contractors.
2. Whats the best drainage system for a patio?
It depends on slope, ground conditions and usage. We might recommend ACO drains, French drains, or a soakaway depending on your needs.
3. Can you unblock existing drains?
Absolutely. We offer drain unblocking and cleaning for all surface water systems.
