Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and Resin Bound Surfacing

Resin Bonded Aggregates
Resin Bonded Aggregates


Poor drainage can cause all kinds of problems, especially in winter when water freezes and turns into lethal ice patches. For this reason, it is often a good idea to install a suitable drainage system before resurfacing a driveway. In this article, we are going to examine whether sustainable drainage systems are compatible with Resin Bound Kits.

What are SuDS?

Resin Bond Kits
Resin Bond Kits

A Sustainable Urban Drainage System or SuDS is designed to channel runoff water away from the surface of a driveway, pavement, road, pathway, etc. It allows excess water to permeate through the surface and soak away onto the ground, a drain or water collection system. SuDS are commonly installed when resin bound kits are used to build a permeable driveway.

Do I Need SuDS?

Resin Mixers
Resin Mixers

If drainage is a problem, a sustainable urban drainage system will help resolve the issue. You may need extra drainage if the sub-soil in your area is heavy clay, as this inhibits water runoff. A water drainage system is also useful if you want to channel water into a collection system, perhaps for garden irrigation.

Difference Between Resin Bond Kits and Resin Bound Kits

Forced Action Mixers
Forced Action Mixers

Resin driveways and Soft Play Surfacing are popular. They look lovely and can resolve drainage issues if pooled water is a problem. However, it is essential that you understand the difference between resin bound and resin bond kits if you intend to install a SuDS.
Resin bound kits are compatible with a sustainable urban drainage system, whereas resin bond kits are not. The reason for this is simple. Whereas both types of surface feature aggregate combined with resin, resin bonded surfaces are not permeable. If drainage is a problem and you need to install extra drainage beneath your driveway to allow water runoff, the surface needs to be resin-bound.
Resin bound driveways are permeable. Water doesn’t collect on the surface. Instead, it seeps through the surface and through the layer beneath. This is why resin bound kits are a better choice if you live in a wet area or water has a tendency to collect on the surface.

Always Use a Reputable Contractor



Always have your resin drive installed by a reputable contractor. It is possible to build a resin surface using DIY kits, but the technique can be tricky, and the risk is you will end up with an uneven surface. You should always think about drainage before you have a new resin driveway installed, as it is difficult to fit a drainage system retrospectively. 

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