How to re-lay uneven paver driveway and add drainage?

Question

Hi Bunnings fans!

I have bought a house and the driveway is paved, they have over time settled to not be level in some spots, hard to tell in pics. Also, with a lot of rain like we have had in Brisbane water surfaces from beneath and ran for about a week after the rain stopped. I assume the drainage issue only adds to the movement of the pavers.

what’s the best way to fix diy? I don’t want to remove all pavers and relay in one go, can it be done in stages like a 1/4 at a time?

And should I add a French drain to prevent future problems?

thanks in advance

Nailbag · Answer

Hi @ogliamo

Apologies I misread the issue was rising ground water. I would still go down the path of a paving landscaper to lift and replay the pavers. However, while they are up, they can dig down further to perhaps assertain exactly the cause of the water. It maybe a broken/leaking plumbing pipe either directly below o draining to that point since the rising water isn't at the low end.

In any case they will be experienced in incorporating the best drainage solution which, maybe that French drain too move the water to the low point ands waste away from there.

Nailbag

ogliamo · Answer

Thanks @Nailbag

Im not sure a channel grate is best as is ground water coming up as opposed to surface water needing handling. So that’s why i was researching French drains.

The land has decent fall from right to left as you look at it

Nailbag · Answer

Hi @ogliamo

A decent landscape gardener can rectify this issue. They can remove the area of uneven pavers, prepare the base and relay. They can also cut in a grated channel drain. Get them to install the metal grate type not the PVC as that doesn't prevent the channel from warping over time like the metal grate product does.

I've helped a landscaping mate years ago on projects like this and they always came up like new.

Nailbag