Driveway Advice . . . . .

MehulLakhani

MehulLakhani

MehulLakhani

Associate
Joined
12 Jan 2003
Posts
1,227
Location
Watford
Hi All

Nextdoor neighbours trees seem to be growing underneath our drive, and are now stopping the gates from opening/closing properly.

We want to get this sorted out, and have had a few companies round, but they are talking about various different things, and each one seems to leave us more confused than the last.

Some have told us we need the L and R sides up, i.e. what is underneath both gates, some say that they can just do the L-gate , i.e the one getting caught. Some say that we need the tree roots shaved, some say that we need a new damp proof membrane.

Of course I want a decent job done, but just not sure that I can throw thousands at it. Any advice on what I should be asking for/getting done. If it is of any help the driveway was laid to a good standard about 10 years ago, when the house was built.

Pic below

gatefront.jpg


Thanks

Mehul
 
We've already done that, and it is also getting tighter and tighter.

We are looking to get new gates made, so want to get the driveway sorted before the measurements for the gates are finalised

R

Mehul
 
Lacks pictures of the hinge, so I can't tell if they are adjustable.

Suggest a large washer under the pivot points if hinge is of a vertical rod design.
 
bitslice said:
Lacks pictures of the hinge, so I can't tell if they are adjustable.

Suggest a large washer under the pivot points if hinge is of a vertical rod design.
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Good idea actually.

I'm sure the gates would look okay still if they were 6 inches higher up.
 
Gates are rotting and havent been look after by previous owners, so they are being replaced in the new year.

Just wondering how best to get driveway down a bit of that make sense

R

Mehul
 
neighbours trees causing damage to your property...suggest you get their insurance company to rectify the issue for you.
 
MehulLakhani said:
Gates are rotting and havent been look after by previous owners, so they are being replaced in the new year.
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It looks a shaded area, wooden gates will always go green.
I'd go for steel ones next time.

Just wondering how best to get driveway down a bit of that make sense
Click to expand...

Cut a trench alongside the party wall and sever all the tree roots, you'd probably only need to go down 2-3 feet. Lay down a few layers of weed fabric and backfill.

Lift the blocking from that square metre patch and re-lay it, note that there was originally a slope to the centre line so keep that if you can.
 
Looks to be an incline from drive to road, I would use rising hinges that way the gates will stay clear of the ground and still be neat and low when closed.
 
Hitman_Leon said:
Looks to be an incline from drive to road, I would use rising hinges that way the gates will stay clear of the ground and still be neat and low when closed.
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Automatic gates though, hinges have to spec'ed at the time of installation (a bit of an oversight I agree).
The weight of the gates makes this a tricky option anyway as there is more friction on a bare metal surface.
 
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are you sure the actual drive has been lifted by tree roots? if the gates are rotting then maybe they just hang down a bit more than they originally had done?
 
bitslice said:
Automatic gates though, hinges have to spec'ed at the time of installation (a bit of an oversight I agree).
The weight of the gates makes this a tricky option anyway as there is more friction on a bare metal surface.
Click to expand...

Sure if it have been spec'ed in at design time and the right hinge would have done the job, bad oversight of the original owner/gate makers.

Right about the weight though; I would have gone for steel and rising hinge design, lighter gate and less wear on the hardware along with getting rid of the moss/rot problem from the surrounding shade/over hung trees.
 
If you have a surveyors proof that it's the roots causing the issue get next doors insurance to pay for a trench to be dug, tree roots cut, backfilled with suitable membrane / concrete and then have the gates made to fit the current driveway level.
 
Lift a few bricks that have roots under, knock some copper nails into the root to kill it and job done!
 
King85 said:
Lift a few bricks that have roots under, knock some copper nails into the root to kill it and job done!
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And when the roots die, they'll rot, decompose and cause the driveway to drop. If the roots are the cause.

If the driveway is uneven in that area you need to have it up and see what is causing it. If it is the tree roots you need to remove them, back fill properly (if you don't the driveway will eventually drop). Then lay the drive again.

Who pays (you or your neighbour's insurer) I don't know.

Are you sure its the driveway raising and not the gate dropping on its hinges and/or bowing - you mention the gates are rotten, have they distorted ?

I agree you should resolve this issue before making new gates.
 
bitslice said:
Cut a trench alongside the party wall and sever all the tree roots, you'd probably only need to go down 2-3 feet. Lay down a few layers of weed fabric and backfill.

Lift the blocking from that square metre patch and re-lay it, note that there was originally a slope to the centre line so keep that if you can.
Click to expand...

this^^
we often see this, ( i do driveways and patios)
but u will have to follow the offending root into the driveway, just past the gate, and cut it there, then remove it, then just backfill and relay blocks.

hint.
if u do this yourself, as u lift the cuts out, keep them in the correct order, as they can be a nightmare to get them in the correct order again.
so start in the corner behind the pier, and work back along the edge

if u pay to get it done, its no more than 1 days work for a man, estimate around £150-£200
 
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