Could anyone please advise us on what we can use to restore the colour on our driveway? Its a red block (not brick) driveway paving that once had a red sheen finish and over the years the surface has now worn and in places has gone an orangy colour. We would like to apply some paint/sealant (with a sheen finish) to restore it to its original red colour. Because we didn't have the driveway laid ourselves I cannot provide any further information, so excuse me for sounding ignorant! Its concrete block and the red surface of the block is about 1.5-2mm thick. I would guess it has been down for around 7/8 years and the area is between 25-30 square metres.
If you could advise on any products that are relevatively easy to apply we would be most grateful. Thanks. Janet
Restoring colour of block paving driveway
-
84-1093879891
I'm somewhat confused - you say that the "red surface of the block is 1½-2mm thick". This sounds as though it might be the PIC stuff - did the contractor lay concrete and then 'print' a pattern into the surface to give the impression of a brick/block pavement?
If so, then they should have warned you that this dulling/wear was likely to happen, and you should have the surface re-sealed every couple of years or so, but then, too many of the PIC crowd sell it as 'maintenance-free' and advertising the fact that it needs a relatively expensive face-lift every other year sort of flies in the face of the 'maintenance-free' claim.
There are an ever increasing number of companies doing the rounds now that claim to 'revive' driveways, by cleaning and re-sealing. While I'm sure some of these are damned good companies, there are a significant number of cowboys out there, who do more harm than good because they have no understanding of how a pavement works. It's probably best to deal with a company that does paving installation as well as pavement restoration, rather than one of the 'one-trick ponies'.
If this is a PIC driveway, you can either 'phone around to get a few prices for re-sealing, and see who inspires confidence at a reasonable price, or you can do it yourselves. The drive will need to be washed down first, preferably with a power washer, and then, once it's dry, you simply 'paint on' the sealant using a roller or a squeegee. You can buy a good quality sealant for PIC from companies suchs as PICS and Creative Impressions.
If so, then they should have warned you that this dulling/wear was likely to happen, and you should have the surface re-sealed every couple of years or so, but then, too many of the PIC crowd sell it as 'maintenance-free' and advertising the fact that it needs a relatively expensive face-lift every other year sort of flies in the face of the 'maintenance-free' claim.
There are an ever increasing number of companies doing the rounds now that claim to 'revive' driveways, by cleaning and re-sealing. While I'm sure some of these are damned good companies, there are a significant number of cowboys out there, who do more harm than good because they have no understanding of how a pavement works. It's probably best to deal with a company that does paving installation as well as pavement restoration, rather than one of the 'one-trick ponies'.
If this is a PIC driveway, you can either 'phone around to get a few prices for re-sealing, and see who inspires confidence at a reasonable price, or you can do it yourselves. The drive will need to be washed down first, preferably with a power washer, and then, once it's dry, you simply 'paint on' the sealant using a roller or a squeegee. You can buy a good quality sealant for PIC from companies suchs as PICS and Creative Impressions.
-
Janet Siddell
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 9:02 am
- Location: Berkshire
Thanks Tony. We didn't get the driveway done, it was already down when we moved in to the house so I can't confirm what it is, but from what you describe it does sound like a PIC (whatever that is!) driveway with a printed pattern to give an impression of block paving. We did power wash it recently and it was after this that we thought it looked worse. Whether it was caused by the power wash or just the removal of 7 or 8 years worth of dirt we don't know. I shall certainly look at the companies you suggested and do some research on reputable local paving restoration companies, trying to steer clear of the cowboys! We live just outside Reading, Berkshire if anyone has any recommendations. Thanks again.
-
84-1093879891