Conventional sealed imprinted concrete is not a permeable paving system. Rainwater generally travels over its surface towards the designed drainage route. The decorative grooves may resemble joints between stones, but they do not turn the slab into an infiltrating block pavement.
Decide where the water goes
A design needs to identify both the surface falls and the destination of runoff. That could involve an appropriately designed permeable area within the property or another lawful drainage arrangement. A grille or channel is only a collection point until its destination is established.
Check the low points near doors, garage thresholds and the pavement. The finish should not direct water towards a vulnerable building detail or discharge it unintentionally beyond the boundary. Consider runoff arriving from adjoining paths and roofs too.
Understand the front-garden rule
In England, the Class F condition for front hard surfaces exceeding five square metres concerns either a porous surface or provision directing runoff to a porous or permeable area within the house's curtilage. It covers relevant replacement work as well as new hardstanding. Other property-specific restrictions may also apply.
This means the material name alone does not decide every planning outcome. A non-porous finish and a suitable on-site runoff arrangement should be considered together, with the relevant authority consulted where the position is uncertain.
Include drainage in the visual layout
Channels and gullies should be positioned before the pattern is finalised. They can often be detailed neatly, but their function should not be compromised simply to remove a line from the photograph. Inspection and cleaning access also need to remain practical.
Keep a record of drainage routes and any consents. It helps future maintenance and makes later alterations easier to assess.
Before choosing a pattern: Ask for a plain explanation of how rainwater leaves the concrete surface and where it is managed afterwards.
Discuss your project
Thinking about imprinted concrete? Discuss the pattern, colour, joints and water route together with Smart Paving before settling the design. Arrange a site visit.
Explore our imprinted concrete service. See the imprinted concrete patterns and colours guide.
Related reading
- Driveway channel drains: the outlet matters as much as the grille
- Replacing an existing driveway: why the front-garden planning rule still matters
- Why a resin bound surface can still need drainage channels
