FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
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Tar & Chip
Although gravel is a less expensive driveway surface, tar-and-chip provides a smoother, more robust surface, but it is also not as long-lasting as concrete. Tar-and-chip paving will last up to ten years, compared to around forty years for concrete.
Tar-and-chip driveways need very little maintenance. It doesn’t need to be repaired often, and minor cracks will normally heal on their own. Once a decade, the surface can be renewed by spreading another layer of tar and gravel chipping on top of the driveway.
Tarmac
Tarmac or Asphalt is certainly the most cost effective way to surface an area. Prices can range from £20 – £100 per m2 depending on access, complexity of project and existing base. Coloured and commercial tarmac can be significantly more.
Tarmac is short for tarmacadam, a road surfacing material made by combining macadam surfaces, tar, and sand. The mixture is then laid and compacted using a vibrating roller to form a smooth and neat finish.
Tarmac pertly cures in 24 hours although can take significantly longer in the warmer months. In most cases it is best after a full season on weather changes.
Most tarmac is not permeable although there are specialised, permeable tarmac systems available. They can be expensive and not suitable for a long term approach.
Tarmac is best cleaned using a specialised brush system that gently scrubs the surface with warm water and cleaning chemicals.
Moss on tarmac is fairly common and is best treated twice yearly using a specialist moss killer.
Resin
A resin bound driveway is a popular surfacing solution that is a result from mixing resin and aggregates together, to form a smooth, flat and modern finish, often referred to as a ‘stone carper’.
Resin Bound Gravel installation can range from £40 – £200 per m2 depending on the complexity of the install and existing surface.
The curing time after a Resin Bound Gravel driveway is installed can range from 1 – 8 hours depending on the temperature. In cold weather curing times are greatly increased.
Resin bound gravel if properly installed can last around 20 + years. This will be influenced by maintenance, usage and the dynamics of the driveway itself.
The best way to clean Resin Bound Gravel driveways is to use a leaf blower regularly in dry weather to blow the dust and dirt from the weave of the stone. Twice yearly application of weed and moss killer will also help keep small surface growth at bay.
Resin Bound Gravel can be installed using a fully permeable, SUDS compliant method as long as the soil underneath the sub base is free draining and does not contain clay.
Resin Bound Gravel must always be laid onto a well constructed, tarmac base. Laying on top of concrete has long term implications due to cracking.
A properly installed Resin Bound Gravel driveway should never have weeds coming up through the base. In some cases there may be small weeds growing within the weave of the stone, however this is rare and very easily treated with a decent weedkiller and regular leaf blowing in dry weather.
Block Paving
A properly laid block paving driveway should be built to last and will not sink or move in any way. To achieve this it is essential that the sub base is constructed using concrete and not the normal, loose type 1 aggregate. With this in mind the cost of block paving should be in excess of £100 + VAT per m2.
Permeable block paving is achievable although can prove extremely expensive the permeability is short lived. The blocks are laid onto a permeable base and then the gaps are filled with a very fine grit to allow the water to drain between the gaps in the blocks. If these gaps are not kept clean and free from seasonal detritus they will block up and essentially seal the driveway. It is also very important that no type of permeable driveway is laid in an area with heavy clay soil.
A well laid block paving driveway should need little maintenance except regular leaf blowing and twice yearly weed killing.
Sealing block paving to stop weeds has varying success and although there are some products from Marshalls which have worked as long as the driveway has been constructed properly.Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
Block paving is best cleaned by a specialist company using a rotating brush and cleaning chemicals. The use and frequent overuse of a jet spray can wash out the sealing sand causing blocks to move and water to destabilise the laying surface.
Groundworks & Excavation
Absolutely, no matter how large or small your job is, we will always offer a complimentary consultation. On most occasions, this also involves a free initial site visit.
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