Why are the first metres of an entrance the critical part?
Because that is where loads and water meet. Vehicles slow down, stop for the gate and turn in, which twists and pushes the pavers harder than anywhere further up the drive. Rain running off the road or down the drive also tends to gather at the gate line. A weak detail there shows up first as open joints, then as a step between surfaces.
We treat the entrance as its own design problem within the wider villa and plot entrances service: deeper base where vehicles turn, solid restraint at both sides, and a planned fall so water does not stand at the gate. For the paving up to the house, the standard driveway block paving build-up continues from there.
How do we handle sliding and swing gates?
Each gate type sets different levels. A sliding gate runs on a track or rail that must sit at a precise height in the paving, with a clear path to drain water and grit out of the track. A swing gate needs the paving inside its arc to stay below the bottom of the leaves, which can limit how much the drive rises behind it.
- Agree with the gate installer who sets the rail, and in which order
- Mark the swing arc before levels are fixed
- Keep a drainage outlet at the lowest point near the gate
- Restrain pavers on both sides of any rail or threshold
If you are installing a new gate at the same time, tell us early so the two jobs are sequenced rather than improvised on site. A short call or an email exchange between us and the installer is usually enough to agree heights and order.
What about the public side of the entrance?
Our work ends at your boundary. If the entrance needs a lowered kerb or a vehicle crossing (vado) across the public footway, separate municipal authorisation is needed and its conditions are those of Cártama's ordinance, which the town hall can explain. The guide to vehicle crossings and permits explains which questions to put to the town hall.
For the private paving itself, Andalusian law places minor works without a project under a responsible declaration, but which procedure fits your job is decided by the town hall. We execute works and do not draft projects or applications.
Which parts of Cártama do we serve?
The whole municipality: the town of Cártama, Estación de Cártama, Estación de Aljaima and Gibralgalía, all sourced population entities named here for orientation only. Cártama is part of the Valle del Guadalhorce comarca, covered on the sister site's Guadalhorce valley paving hub, and nearby towns are on our areas page.
If the entrance rises steeply from the road, the sloping driveways service applies. If the existing entrance has simply sunk where vehicles turn, our sister site's sinking driveway repair may be all you need, and the price logic is on repair costs. Send us a photo and the approximate m² – free, no-obligation quote.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the paving near my gate keep moving?
That area takes braking, stopping and turning from every vehicle, and often collects water. If the base is shallow or the edges are not restrained, the pavers there loosen first. The fix is a deeper base, solid edging and a fall that drains water away from the gate line.
Who sets the rail for a sliding gate, you or the gate installer?
It depends on the gate system, so we agree it with the installer beforehand. What matters is the sequence: the rail height and drainage must be fixed before the final paving levels, and the pavers either side of it must be firmly restrained.
Do you cover Estación de Cártama and Gibralgalía?
Yes. We work in the town of Cártama, Estación de Cártama, Estación de Aljaima and Gibralgalía, as well as the other municipalities of the Valle del Guadalhorce and the rest of the province.
Do I need permission to lower the kerb outside my entrance?
Yes, work on the public footway or kerb needs separate municipal authorisation, and the exact conditions in Cártama should be checked in its ordinance. The owner usually applies; we can schedule our paving to fit once permission is granted.
Can a swing gate limit the drive levels?
Yes. The paving within the swing arc must stay below the bottom of the gate leaves, so a drive that rises immediately behind a swing gate may need the gate adjusted or the rise to start further in. We check this before fixing any levels.
Can you pave just the entrance and leave the rest of the drive?
Yes. Paving only the first section, where wear is highest, is a common and sensible option. We finish the new section against a firm edge so the junction with the existing surface does not become a weak point.
How do you stop water collecting at the gate?
By setting a fall away from the gate line and, where needed, adding a channel drain across the entrance with an outlet to a suitable point on your land. For sliding gates, the rail itself also needs a way to shed water and grit.
Does paving my entrance in Cártama need a licence?
That depends on the scope and on the ordinance currently in force in Cártama. In Andalusia, minor works without a project usually follow a responsible declaration, but the town hall decides which procedure applies to your specific job.
What photos help you quote a gate entrance?
One from the road looking in, one from inside looking out, a close-up of the gate bottom or rail, and any problem spots. Mention the gate type, whether a new gate is planned, and what vehicles use the entrance.
What if my entrance is very steep?
Steep entrances need stronger edge restraint, careful drainage part-way down and a paver and pattern that resist creeping. We treat them under our sloping driveway service and assess the gradient on site before recommending a build-up.