Fix the Cause
Cracked, sunken, or uneven driveways restored by fixing the sub-base fault, not just the surface.
Common Repair Failures
Surface-only fixes leave the underlying fault intact, here is what that looks like in practice, and what a proper repair does instead.
Filling cracks or re-pointing blocks without checking the sub-base leaves the root cause intact, and the same fault reappears within one or two winters.
Every repair starts with a base condition check, if the sub-base has failed locally, that section is excavated and repacked before the surface is reinstated.
A surface fall that now runs toward the house, or a channel drain that has lifted, will keep saturating the sub-base and cause repeated sinking or cracking.
Drainage fall and channel drain position are assessed as part of the repair scope, and corrected before the surface layer is relaid or resurfaced.
Cambridge clay soils move seasonally, and a repair that does not account for that movement will crack or sink again once the ground shifts in autumn or spring.
A movement and settlement assessment identifies whether clay shift is a factor, so the repair method and sub-base depth are matched to the ground conditions.
Block paving with depleted jointing sand loses its structural interlock, allowing blocks to rock, shift, and sink progressively under vehicle loads.
Sunken or loose blocks are lifted, the base is checked and levelled, and blocks are relaid with fresh kiln-dried jointing sand to restore interlock and level.
Repair Scope
From a single sunken section to a full surface restoration, the scope is set by the base condition and drainage assessment.
Blocks lifted, sub-base repacked to correct level, and relaid with kiln-dried jointing sand to restore interlock.
Damaged sections cut out, base checked, and fresh tarmac laid and compacted to match the surrounding wearing course.
Displaced or rocking concrete slabs lifted, base material corrected, and slabs relaid level with stable bedding.
Surface falls re-graded and channel drains repositioned or replaced to prevent water pooling and sub-base saturation.
Loose or displaced edge restraints and kerb sections reset in concrete to stop lateral spread of the surface.
Kiln-dried sand brushed in to restore block interlock.
Isolated surface damage cut out and reinstated.
Uneven patches ground or relaid to a consistent fall.
Base condition checked before any surface work begins.
Why Choose Us
Accountability and process matter as much as the repair itself, here is what you can expect from enquiry to completion.
A local contractor visits to assess the site and quote before a single block is lifted.
Base inspection, drainage assessment, and the surface fix are each costed separately in writing.
We connect you with vetted independent local partners who carry out driveway repairs in Cambridge.
Partners are instructed to assess sub-base and drainage before quoting any surface repair work.
Local contractors are familiar with Cambridge clay shift and its effect on block paving and tarmac.
How It Works
01
Tell us the surface type, the symptoms you can see, and the approximate affected area so we can match you with the right local contractor.
02
A local contractor visits, checks the base condition and drainage fall, and provides a written quote with each element costed separately.
03
The agreed repair is completed, sub-base corrected where needed, surface reinstated, and drainage confirmed before the contractor leaves.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Crack filling and patch repairs | £280-£550 |
| Seal coating and tidy-up | £280-£550 |
| Larger repair and restoration | £550-£1,100 |
Describe the surface, the symptoms, and the affected area and we will arrange a local contractor to survey the base, assess the drainage, and provide a full written quote.