Steep slippery drive - How to get more grip

[dap]

I have recently bought a property with a very steep drive. It is currently block paved , probably within the last 5 years, with what look like standard brick size concrete blocks.

The problem is the drive can get very slippery when wet, especially from leaves and moss. Sometimes car's wheel spin while driving up.

In a few weeks time we will have to take up some of the blocks to dig a service trench. Rather than just put back the existing blocks should I take this opportunity to replace them with something providing more grip?

Are there types of block available with a more textured surface? Or should I resurface the whole thing with tarmac or concrete? Another possibility would be to replace with concrete and then put a DecorDrive surface on top.

Any advice would be welcome.

[lutonlagerlout]

TBh i would say tarmac is probably best for grip,but if it is that steep you are always going to have trouble
if yopur car is rear wheel drive try and reverse up the drive,also it helps having some weight in the boot for traction (i used to use 4 bags of cement in an old van of mine to stop it spinning)
i suppose really the problem isnt the drive, its the car. so the the final solution would be a 4WD vehicle
Hummer perhaps
hope this helps
LLL

[Stuarty]

Giving the drive a good clean would help, removing all the moss and general gunk that builds up over the years. I heard of a few folk putting a light sprinkling of grit sand over the drive then sealing it, but i honestly have no idea if that would work effectivly.

[simeonronacrete]

To obtain grip like you see and experience on roads at traffic lights and roundabouts and crossings, you would have to remove the blocks, lay concrete or road grade tarmacadam, then overlay with Ronadeck Fast Grip.

If you want to know how to do it go to our web site, then hover over Products, Flooring, Documents, Resin and click on the Ronadeck Fast Grip documents including "Ronadeck Fast Grip Typical Substrate Build Up" at the bottom of that page.

Call us if you need more info; and you'll need to use an experienced contractor.

It won't be cheap, but it'll be money well spent compared with your car losing grip, rolling down the hill, or on to / over something / someone precious!

[dap]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Assuming I got my own builders to prepare a concrete base, how much would it cost for Ronadeck Fast Grip (supply and apply). I saw an old posting from 2003 quoting £20/m2. I suppose it's gone up a bit since then.

[simeonronacrete]

Depends how many square metres, surface preparation, location, etc.

If you want to give me an indication of size of driveway, where you live (town, not the actual address), I will be able to give you a guide.

Some of the contractors can also lay the concrete base.

[dap]

It's in Torquay and is about 70 square metres.

[simeonronacrete]

OK, thanks, let me get a current "guesstimate" and I'll come back to you.

Regards

[Ted]

When PIC installers have this problem they often use ground pumice or silica sand. Reseal the drive and sprinkle this over the top for traction. Silica sand does not have much colour so does not detract from the look too much...

[dap]

I don't think the drive has ever been sealed. Looking at the resiblock site it looks like sealant will reduce friction by about 25% counteracting the affect of the silica sand. So we may end up where we are at the moment or possibly worse off.
resiblock skid res