How are resin driveways laid?

Do you live in Stockport? Then you surely have seen many resin driveways by now. If you have seen them, you might have wondered to yourself “How are resin driveways laid?”. We’ll cover that on this page. Firstly, it’s important to remember that when installing resin driveways, be sure to inspect the surface for damage or cracks, as well as the base for stability. But more on that later.

An overview of how resin driveways are laid

Preparation

Getting the preparatory work done is essential, as with most things. You’ll spend the majority of your money on the groundwork if you’re converting grass into a driveway. For the resin to work, you must first dig out, lay stone, lay porous macadam, and finish the margins of the surface. So cleaning and drying the work surface is a must. Then a stable resin bound system basis, such as asphalt or concrete, is required to handle the anticipated load after the system is installed.

Repairing any cracks or holes

Crack repair or infills may be necessary before resin can be applied to an existing surface, such as concrete. A sturdy and flat sub-base is what you’re looking for. Priming the concrete with a polyurethane primer will help with adherence because it is polyurethane. Then once the primer has dried, you may then proceed with the installation. However, the ratio of aggregate to resin is critical because too much resin will cause white spots, while too little resin will leave a weak and chewy surface.

The right conditions

You can’t lay resin in the rain, so postpone mixing until the weather clears up. Also, you can monitor the humidity level by using a hygrometer but you can’t start working if it’s above 80%.

Steps before mixing and laying

The mix is normally poured out and stirred into the wet edge for around 3 to 5 minutes. A resin bound driveway in Stockport is easy to mix and lay, but it necessitates pinpoint accuracy at each step to be successful. So avoid taking shortcuts and follow the steps below:

Make sure that the foundation surface has been primed and dried.
Verify the quantity, batch, and colour of your aggregates and other components.
Then make sure you have all the materials you need for the driveway and that your equipment is clean and ready for use before you begin the project.
Tape the boundaries of your work area to prevent the glue from staining them.

Mixing

Pour the mixture into a plastic-lined wheelbarrow after it has been mixed.
Turn off the mixer and scrape out the entire contents. To avoid contamination, make sure to completely clean the forced action mixer after each usage and before changing the mix.
The aggregates should not be damp before mixing.
To ensure that no material is left uncoated, you must mix for a sufficient amount of time.
Make certain that the time of each mix is the same.
Utilise an appropriate mix of aggregates.
Ensure that aggregates are protected from the sun.
Examine the previously trowelled surface for irregularities from every aspect. Anomalies and marks can be easily removed while the mixture is still fresh, but not after it has dried.
Lay out the path and draw squares on the ground with chalk.
Create a grid using batons to help you determine exactly where you want to pour the mix.

Laying

Before trowelling, you can use a screed bar to smooth out the mix.
White spirit can be used to properly clean a trowel before use. During the trowelling process, it is important to keep it clean at all times. This should be done every six strokes or so, according to our recommendations. The aggregates will be dragged out of place if you use a dirty trowel.
Make sure there are no gaps by packing aggregates around the entire perimeter.
The mix should be knitted together so that the particles are crushed and level. With the trowel edge slightly elevated away from the stroke, apply continuous pressure to keep it from burrowing into the mix.
Aggregates need to be stirred thoroughly to ensure that they stop flowing freely and become solid. As few strokes as feasible must be used to accomplish this task.
Smoothing the surface once it has been levelled and compacted is an option (polished). A beautiful sheen will be left behind as a result of this.
Each trowelled portion should have an unfinished edge so that the next batch of aggregate may mix in smoothly.
If you want to provide an extra layer of traction, sprinkle some smashed sand over the surface.
The final step is to apply a hover trowel to the surface to verify that the finish is uniform. After that, it needs to rest for 24 hours before pedestrian traffic and 48 hours before vehicle traffic can pass through it again.
Mark the area with cones and tape when it’s finished to keep people from stepping on the finished surface by accident.

Only hire professionals to lay resin driveways

If you are looking for a hardwearing, low-maintenance, and versatile surface, a resin bonded system is the best choice for you. The installation must be done correctly from beginning to end to reap all of its benefits. This is why it’s important to go with a reputable installer (like us) as they know all the tips and tricks of the trade. For example, grey resin driveways in Stockport should be coated with UV-resistant polymers. This will help keep the surface from breaking down and becoming discoloured over time. But maybe we’re going into too much depth at this point. Regardless, give us a call if you want any more info on how resin driveways are laid.