Maintenance
Cracks and puddles on a driveway: what to photograph for a survey
Help an installer assess your driveway by recording defects, wet-weather behaviour and the wider layout.
Archive: 22 September 2026 · Published:
Capture both the defect and its surroundings
Take a close-up of the crack or sunken area, then a wider view showing where it sits relative to the house, entrance and drains. Include a familiar object for scale if safe. Do not step into moving traffic or open covers to improve a photograph.
Add the history you cannot see in a picture
Explain when the problem started, whether it changes after rain and whether it follows a previous repair. For a Horsham survey, photographs of standing water can be particularly helpful when the appointment takes place in dry weather. Note the vehicles using the area and any recent building work or drainage changes. The photos will not replace an on-site inspection, but they can focus the conversation on likely causes and the work required rather than only the preferred replacement material.
Your project checklist
- Take one close-up and one wide view of each defect.
- Photograph puddling safely after rainfall.
- Record dates, previous repairs and changes in use.
Can photographs alone diagnose the whole construction?
No. They help describe symptoms; the base, levels and drainage still need a site assessment.
Further reading
General homeowner guidance, not a site-specific specification or planning decision. Check current authority and manufacturer requirements for your property and installed system.
