Romsey red - Problem with romsey red

[Roli]

About six months ago I had an area at the back of our house surfaced with hoggin (I live in the South) (I know,.. but it is quite a big area, doesn’t get much traffic and was all I could afford!) as well as the interior of a lean-to garage.
I originally wanted tarmac as I turn my motorbike on the area and reverse into the garage. As the garden slopes uphill away from the house, the contractor said that providing tarmac sloping down away from the house to provide run-off would leave too much of a step up into the garden and consequently any rain would not drain away (the soil is clay). So he suggested hoggin and used “Romsey Red�.
Now the surface, particularly in the covered garage, has become very disturbed, especially where my feet dig in to the surface to get grip. The contractor has been back to roll the surface once, and I have also used a hand roller. The surface remains in place for about a day.
There doesn’t seem to be any binding in the “aggregate�, and so is easily disturbed. Can I insist the contractor provide a surface “fit for use� - there is no written contract – or is there a DIY way of binding the surface? Any advice would be really appreciated.

[lutonlagerlout]

i better answer this before the gaffer does,think of his blood pressure :;):
hoggin isnt really suitable for much,its better than mud and not as good as gravel
i expect it was very cheap ,and to me it seems your expectations are a little high for such a poor dressing
sorry to bear bad news
how much did it cost btw?
LLL ???

[Tony McC]

Hoggin? Or 'kin'oggin, as it is almost universally known by those who have been unfortunate enough to encounter it, is best used to line the bottom of skips. It's highly unsuitable for a biker's driveway, as it can't support the weight of the machine when it's on the centre- or side-stand.

The 'reasoning' provided by the reluctant contractor sounds like the sort of bollocks they come up with when they don't want to lay blacktop. With a bit of will and effort, there's no reason why you couldn't have had your first choice, regardless of garden levels or soil type.

Just goes to show the importance of getting advice/opinion/quotes from at least three contractors. If you ask just one, you run the risk of getting what they want to supply rather than what is actually best for the job.

[Roli]

Thanks very much for your helpful replies. It was the case that the contrctor started digging down about 6", and then phoned me to say there was a problem. When I got home I was told the "problem" with laying tarmac - and he suggested hoggin would do as well as "it sets as hard as concrete". The surface provided is approx 36' x 7' 6", with two strips running down the grass drive to the road each 60' x 2'. For this he charged more than £3600. I feel I have been well stiched up! Is there a remedy with the contractor or do I have to live with it? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks for your help so far.

[Dave_L]

My god............what a situation.

Have you paid yet?

[Roli]

'fraid so! He wanted full payment on completion (and in cash!)

Anything I can do?

[seanandruby]

You've been well stitched up m8. you probably didnt have a contract, or agreement in writing? he needs to come back and take that s**** out and replace it with proper materials. it makes me and the brewers mad to hear of cowboys turning out crap like you've had done. i feel for you

[Dave_L]

I'd like to know his reasons for not laying the tarmac!

[Roli]

Hi, the only reason, that he told me, is in my first post. i.e any rain water would not drain away.

[Dave_L]

Hi, the only reason, that he told me, is in my first post. i.e any rain water would not drain away.

then why didn't he install some sort of appropriate drainage?

Bloody idiot!

[matt h]

too tired and too greedy imho

[SFLandscape]

Im in Southampton and have come across ''Romsey Red'' now and then and to be honest it only just good enough for paths, i can guess were they got it from and it may be worth talking to them , if you know them they may have some knowledge to help you