Asphalt driveway question - Just had a driveway done is it right?

[ambient]

that job looks terrible name and shame them ???

[marky]

Both layers of asphalt was laid at 8 in the morning. One layer last wednesday the second on thursday. Both days were dry and it wasn't that cold, you didn't need to wear a coat. They did have a whacker plate but I am unsure they used it.
Also I wonder if they put any water in the BOMAG...

The drive does not look right to me and is not what I expected.

I am not very good when it comes to complaining to companies about work they have done etc. I guess I lack the confidence to know that I am right.

I am fully expecting them to try and wriggle out of doing anything when I confront them. Hence why I would like to know what can and can't be done so I don't get fobbed off etc

Cheers

[mickg]

its up to you on whether you can live with it knowing its not right or get them to come back and relay it the correct way, I personally would not be prepared to pay someone for leaving my driveway in that condition

how much did they charge you ?

[colordrives]

Thats a horrible job, clearly done by people who have no clue. Bomag 55 is a light weight petrol roller not really suitable for compaction of tarmac on a driveway, might as well use a wacker plate in fact I could of done a better job with a plate. The closure is dire and as soon you start maneuvering a car around the place it will start graveling up, and just wait until the hot summer days land .

Sealing grit will make no difference at all other than to placate you until they get paid.

The white marking is not due to over compaction but a lack of water on the roller drum.

The best way to fix it is to have it resurfaced professionally with proper equipment and tac-cote applied, no real need to take any off it as long as the heights allow and the edges are cut out.

If you pay for that mess you must be crazy!

Good luck

[marky]

I will be saying something to them.
It cost £2500 for 56m2.

How long should I leave the sealing grit on the top.
I was told it should stay on for 6 days.

The workers said it would be ok for cars after 48 hours and we havn't driven on it yet. Its now past 48 hours so would it be ok?

[Dave_L]

That entire surface course would have to come off otherwise the edges will be 'bent' over into the edges, classic giveaway of an el-cheapo overlay job, you see it all the time!

[colordrives]

Agreed dave_l there would be minor rollover to the edges all depends how far back the edges are cut, I could do it so it was hardly noticeable, but its better than how it is at the mo, press for re-excavation the company who did it will run a mile.....

[colordrives]

Marky price is in the right area for a "proper job"

leave the grit on for 5 mins or 5 months it will make no real difference, it shouldn't of been needed in the first place.

2 days seems fair in current weather conditions so you should be ok, but avoid spinning your power steering on the spot.

I'd strongly recommend pressing them for a proper resurface at a bare minimum. take them to see a properly done surface and ask them to explain why you drive is not the same.

[lutonlagerlout]

the lads that do tarmac for us leave the drive one big smooth black area,there's not a hole or ripple in sight
they have to swallow it and redo the top coat
LLL

[marky]

Colordrives: Just had a look on your website and noticed that on most, if not all, of the pictures of tarmac drives there is a fair amount of water on top. Is this from the roller or because you have washed the drive after as part of cleaning up?

Someone from the company is coming over this evening to see us so hopefully I get a result without too much effort.

[irishpaving]

Them is called puddles or ponding as we say. Don't bother with an overlay it's really not the way to go. You have paid top price for that area in tarmac.
Dave_L is a top surfacing contractor so take note what he is telling you

[marky]

Do you mean the water is called puddles or ponding? Is that from the rolling or the cleanup process?

The reason I am asking this is that I don't remember noticing our drive being wet when it was being put down. They obviously didn't clean the tarmac as they put the sealing grit on top.


I don't think an overlay will work anyway as the tarmac area of the drive would be substantially higher than the block edging.

So they will have to take the wearing course off and relay.

[Dave_L]

Copious amounts of water will be used when rolling up a new surface course - this both stops the sticky bitmac from sticking to the drum of the roller and to cool it.

When you have achieved full compaction it is often necessary to 'iron out' any roller lines - spraying the surface with water both cools it and reveals any lines enabling the roller driver to iron them out.

This is why you'll often see new driveways soaked in water after they've been laid.

I almost forgot - we often dump large amounts of water on the new surface to make sure the levels, falls & drainage are working as intended. Nothing worse than having a puddle-ridden driveway!

[marky]

Dave_L: This I think is what has happened. I don't think they have used enough water if any with the roller.

This would explain both the grey discolouration and the pits/holes (where the tarmac has stuck to the roller).


Well, the driveway people came last night (3 people turned up) to discuss our issues. I explained about the possiblility of lack of water, the improper use of sealing grit and the possiblity of not being compacted enough.
They are adamant that they have done a proper job and when the sealing grit is removed (they are coming on Friday or Saturday to do this) all the pits will be filled. The discolouration is from dust particles and this will disappear after 3 or 4 weeks.
I said I was not happy or convinced with that response and I wanted them to put those guarantees down on paper.
We also agreed that we will all meet again once the sealing grit has been removed to disuss further if needed. (which it will)

If I have to take this further (small claims etc) is there a professional/expert body that I can contact to get an opinion on the quality of the drive and the use of the sealing grit?

I am going to try and contact the company that the tarmac (Bardon Aggregates) was delivered by and ask them what they think.

Thanks for your help so far.

[irishpaving]

Marky

Looking at the photo i wanted to ask what is all the splashes against the wall or was that there before. Having 3 people to inspect a driveway is a bit intimidating. Really it should be just the boss. If there is another visit from them get a couple of mates around for support and it gives you a better chance to get points across.
Another thing i would question or try and find out if they are using material that should be machine laid.
Have you paid in full already for the work.