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Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 5:54 pm
by Silver999
Hi All,
I'm new to the site but from what i have seen so far it looks like a good place to come for help with my project.
Basically i have a concrete drive and i am looking at putting in a resin bound drive on top, the concrete is fairly old with 2 expansion joints that have moved about an inch from each other (height), i feel confident that there is no more movement in the concrete as we have been here 4 years and nothing appears to have moved since.
When i install my new drive i want to raise the level by about 5 inches, My options are to lay the resin drive at 5 inches thick or put a concrete layer over my old drive and have a couple of inches of resin drive, would there be anything to consider with either of these ideas other than cost?.
I would of course have to cut out the front 3rd of my old drive to allow me to get down to pavement level with the new mix.
Please dont say leave it to the pro's im not that type of person, also with the resin idea being fairly new around here there are all kinds of people knocking about who can lay these drives "Yeh i can do that no problem".
I did used to lay block paving so getting levels and such like should be ok, its just knowing what size aggregate and what type of resin to use, and of course what depth you can lay to.
I have seen a clip of resin bound being laid loose and the resin applied with a watering can over the top, has anyone else come across this and does it work?
I look forward to most of your comments and any help would be fantastic.
Cheers,
Tony. 
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:37 pm
by Pablo
Hi Tony there's 2 ways you can do this. The first is as you've said use concrete and the second is to use a bitmac base. You shouldn't lay this stuff thicker than 20mm ish because is very very expensive. If you're raising the levels then be sure not to breach the 150 dpc rule. That pour on system sounds totally rubbish to me and if I was honest if you're going for resin bound then you should get a proper installer to do it because it's very skilled work and you need a very specific kind of drum mixer.
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:46 pm
by DNgroundworks
I agree with the above, we are all skilled tradesmen on here and even we would use specialist installers for resin work, i wouldnt attempt it and it would be a very expensive mistake if you had a go and it all went wrong.
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:03 pm
by Silver999
Thanks for the reply's guys, forced action mixer not a problem i can get hold of one of them and have used one before, 150 dpc? does this mean i have to stay below the damp proof course by 150mm?.
I know we all have different skill levels but i am a firm believer in plenty of research and as much common sence as you can muster up and we can acheive anything ???
I built my own Conservatory and extension and if i say so myself both turned out very well indeed.
I will be doing this myself and i hope i dont have to turn round and say you were right 
.
The only things im missing are type of resin, size of aggregate and mixing ratio's and mixing time.
If it works i will add some pictures if it dosnt i wont :p
Thanks Again,
Tony.
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:10 pm
by rab1
I`m not being cheeky but have watched the resin lads on sites before and it looks easy But everyone makes something they do 8hrs a day 5 days a week look easy.
Just remember this is an expensive fail if not done correctly.
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:10 pm
by local patios and driveway
Dodgy... Im a have a go hero too, will read all i can on google do my homework and do the job, but tarmac and resin? I wouldnt touch without having worked with a specialist on a few driveways first, it can go seriously wrong very quickly. i think you should prep everything yourself and get someone in just for the resin work. You could probably offer to help out and see what you learn at the same time. Its not what you want to hear i know but this is an expert site, (i sneaked in the back door) these guys will tell you the way it is regardless of what you want to hear
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:23 pm
by Silver999
I totally respect your replys and have the upmost respect for trades of all kinds, but i would rather try and fail than not try at all (although i would prefer to try and succeed). I am a have a go hero after all
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:54 pm
by local patios and driveway
Certainly be interested to see your final result. I reckon you got a 50/50 chance and certainly the right dertimination.
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:28 pm
by Dave_L
Too much at stake here to advise a DIY job, imo.....
Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:35 pm
by lutonlagerlout
you will need to speak to ronacrete or another company about buying the resin and aggregate
ronacrete
think you will find it hard to buy the stuff without doing an induction
good luck
LLL
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 5:14 pm
by DNgroundworks
How dya mean Dave L?
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:55 pm
by Carberry
DNgroundworks wrote:How dya mean Dave L?
Probably cost wise. It is expensive if you screw it up and the only way to fix it is to take it up and do it properly which will also cost you even more.
Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:57 pm
by resintraining
Try a training course. Touchstone do one look on touchstonefloors.co.uk. We have been doing courses since 2003 and there are loads of testimonials from other people who have attended the course. we wont make you an expert but it will certainly minimise any likely mistakes.
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:41 pm
by simeonronacrete
We welcome all enquiries and interest from contractors who wish to become quality installers of our quality hard landscaping resin systems.
Please contact me by email: simeon at ronacrete.co.uk, and I'll call you.
Posted: Mon Sep 09, 2013 12:44 pm
by grandmak
Hi, I'm seeking advice from those who know. We had our drive and forecourt redone 18 months ago by a company who specialise in Resin Bound driveways. They appeared to do all the correct prep including leveling, whacking, weed killing and asphalt base before finally laying the resin which was mixed on site and trowelled on by 3 men and took a full day, it is a big area! We were very pleased with the result and all seemed good but after the 1st winter's wear, in the Spring we began noticing signs of cracking and areas of movement where there felt like voids under the resin. We recalled the company in May, a rep visited and said that cracks and movement were not due to bad workmanship (since that time many more have appeared and some have widened) but to some underground "heave" which could be a water or gas leak somewhere in the locality but not necessarily that close to us. He said this had caused the whole drive to lift up and drop down again which has resulted in the cracks and uneven levels everywhere. The levels are noticeably altered in relation to the pin kerbs which are in the photos taken when the job was done for use in his portfolio. We were told that they could do core testing at our expense to prove this but basically - TOUGH it wasn't their fault but due to external influences beyond their control!! There are no expansion joints anywhere in either the length of the drive or in the large forecourt area, it is all laid as one entity. Can anyone please give me the benefit of their greater knowledge as to whether this should have happened to a drive under 12 months old, whether there should have been expansion joints and how to proceed from here. Of course the 5 year guarantee offered by the company does not include cover for this eventuality!! Many thanks for any help you can offer as to what we can do.