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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 4:51 pm
by brownebear
Hi, just looking for a little advice really. Three weeks ago we had a new asphalt driveway installed by a local reputable company. All looks good, however today I parked my work van (long wheel base transit aprox 3000 kg) for the first time. This was only for a short period of time- 2/3 hours. After moving the van I noticed slight indentations. Nothing that is easily noticeable but should this happen? I understand that asphalt takes up to a year to cure and parking in the same spot can cause issues but I would of thought it would of taken it's toll over months, not hours! My worry is what would happen over 24 hours. Any insight would be great.
O and great site by the way 
rob
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:16 pm
by Dave_L
Was the installer aware of 3000kg vans being parked on the drive? If I had been made aware of this I would have at least specified an SMA macadam and maybe even up the aggregate size to 10mm. I'll hazard a guess that ordinary AC6 close-graded surface course was used?
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:05 pm
by brownebear
Thank you for the fast response Dave. On the written quotation it states sma pro drive surface course and is 6mm. Now do i have sma? I really don't know.....I made sure, on several occasion before and during the job the purpose of the driveway and this didn't cause them any concern. Now I wasn't at work when the job was undertaken so I am taking that they have completed everything to the spec they quoted- eg depth of mot1 and depth of tarmac layers. The tarmac layers were laid on two separate days-this I did see. I have also noticed a few roller marks (during yesterdays rain). These can only be seen during wet weather. My main concern is that the sub8 base was completed in the bad weather we have had. Would this shrink as it dries out causing a poor/insufficient sub base and a whole world of problems in the near future? Now it does state a 5 year garentuee on all work. So should I just not worry??
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:54 pm
by Dave_L
If this is a reputable company then I don't think you have much to worry about.
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 11:08 am
by Tony McC
Asphalt doesn't really "cure". It sets.
Hoever, there shouldn't be any settlement, especiallt not after a single instance of parking. If it were sub-base settlement, I'd expect that to be something that develoips over weeks or months, not overnight.
Have you spoken with the contractor?
Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2014 5:42 pm
by brownebear
Hi Tony. I haven't spoken to the contractor yet as I am unsure the marks would seem severe enough to them. I struggled to find/see them the day after. I am in two minds as whether to keep the van on the road (restricted parking on road- absolute nightmare at weekends) for the time being ... or park and leave over night for and see what happens. If it is not settlement, what could it suggest?? The reason I got the drive done was to get the van off the road and I now feel like I have got no further forward. ...
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 6:42 am
by lemoncurd1702
A picture says a thousand words, as they say.
Any chance of a photo or two, maybe with a straight edge laid across the offending area.
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 7:25 am
by Mikey_C
brownebear wrote:...I am in two minds as whether to keep the van on the road (restricted parking on road- absolute nightmare at weekends) for the time being ... or park and leave over night for and see what happens...
Personally I would get the van on the drive if it *sinks* you can start the discussion we the installer.
Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 10:13 am
by brownebear
Cheers guys, will pop the van on tonight and see what happens. If any major issues occur i will upload photos then.