Surfacing in Epsom

Epsom sits at the northern foot of the North Downs, and the chalk that forms the Downs runs close to the surface across a broad band that includes much of Epsom Downs, Langley Vale, and the higher parts of the town. Chalk is a strong, well-draining substrate, and drives built on pure chalk bedrock rarely have drainage problems. The downside is that chalk can be hard to excavate when the overburden is thin, so site preparation can take longer than on softer ground.

Closer to Stoneleigh and the Hogsmill valley, London clay starts to influence the soil profile. Clay soils hold water and expand and contract with seasonal moisture changes, which places repeated stress on a surface and its base. On drives in these areas we specify a geotextile membrane between the sub-base and the subgrade, and we pay close attention to the fall and drainage of the finished surface. If a drive already shows cracking along the edges or low spots that hold water, clay movement is often the cause.

The inter-war and post-war semis of Stoneleigh and West Ewell typically have front drives of 20 to 40 square metres, large enough to park two cars comfortably when the specification is right. These properties often have original concrete or tarmac surfaces that have been patched repeatedly rather than replaced, and the result is a lumpy, stained finish that is difficult to clean and does not do the house any favours.

The most popular replacement choice on these properties is resin-bound surfacing: it looks clean and contemporary, is permeable so it meets the current SuDS rules without extra drainage work, and does not require the same maintenance as block paving with sand joints. On the older detached houses around the College and in Ewell Village, where the property has more architectural character, block paving in a traditional bond and colour tends to look more at home. We talk through the trade-offs at every site visit and can show you samples of both.