Covering patched tarmac - Thompsons drive-seal?

[anfeardearg]

Hi,

I've recently built an extension to my house. During construction we had to cut a lot of channels in the existing rear tarmac 'yard' (used to be a rear driveway but extension has cut if off from the front driveway completely, hence it is now a patio/yard area). The tarmac, while in good condition, is quite faded in appearance. If I patch the area, I'm sure the new tarmac will stand out like a sore thumb so I am considering a few different options:

1) Patching the tarmac and then coating the finished drive with something like Thompsons Drive-Seal to give it a uniform appearance.

2) Covering the existing tarmac area with concrete paving? (If so, could I lay the paving directly on the existing tarmac or should I remove the tarmac to get back to the base material?)

3) A large timber deck!

4) Imprinted concrete (least favoured option)

Basically I just don't want to have look at patched surface so any suggestions would be welcome.

[Tony McC]

Option 1 might sound fine in theory and whilst daubing it with DriveSeal would make it all the same colour, it would not hide the fact that it was patched. The seams between new and old, and the difference in texture, would give it away.

Option 2 is viable, if your DPC will allow. If you chose one of the thinnest flags, say a 25mm imported sandstone, and used a 30mm bed, you'd be elevating the level by 55mm - would this be possible?

Option 3 - decks are a nonsense in Britain because of the damp climate. In Ireland, they should be outlawed!

Option 4 - you're just being silly now, aren't you!


One option that would work is to patch the existing bitmac and then surface it with a resin-bonded gravel: in fact, I'm surprised Simeon hasn't beaten me to it in suggesting this option!

[anfeardearg]

Thanks Tony,

Options 1 & 4 are out so

Option 2 is viable I suppose. My DPC is actually *at* footpath level due to the previous occupier installing footpaths around the house I plan on rectifying this very soon (based on your guidelines on this website). I'll just have to make sure I factor in the DPC level.

Option 3 was suggested in jest, but surely pressure treated and properly maintained wood won't rot? Although on second thoughts, as it's Ireland, the wood would probably be submerged under rainwater most of the time so the deck would probably float away like a giant raft :;):

I like the idea of the resin-bonded gravel. Haven't seen it much around here though but will definitely look it up.

Thanks again,
AnFearDearg