The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Aug 28, 2014 6:26 pm**

Hi everyone,

It great to see the Brew Cabin is still going strong.

I am looking to do my drive soon, and keen at the moment on the resin bonded gravel type of drives.

I plan to do this myself, I'm not a paving expert, but a very experienced DIY'er that has taken on everything at my house.
Now I know some will say "Dont do it yourself" but stubborn and inquisitive me will still take the job on, so just looking for some help and advice.

I understand that the best layer to lay this on is a concrete base. So my plan will be to prepare a MOT1 sub base, let it settle with car usage for a few months, the cover with a 100mm mesh reinforce concrete later before applying the resin bonded layer.

Does this sound about right, or over kill??

In terms of the resin, is this a special grade that is needed?

Many thanks in advance

Posted: **Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:32 pm**

the base needs to be compacted with a heavy duty wacker >80kg or a roller

cars wont work

the mesh needs to be supported in the slab and you need DPM under it

if you find someone willing to supply the resin at reasonable rates please let us know

I have looked and never found any

cheers LLL

Posted: **Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:45 pm**

Thank you kindly for the reply LLL,

Noted on the wacker, I will take a look at the hiring.

I will let you know if i come across the resin. Does it need to be UV stable? any other specific properties?

Posted: **Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:33 pm**

well if it aint UV stable you have problems as the sun produces UV light
cheers LLL

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 7:37 am**

You will have to compact to refusal the DTP1, a car won't do it, the drive will crack, sink, rise with frost etc:
Have you ( if needed thought about crack joints ) ???
Have you any experience in laying concrete, the proper way?
I can only say: good luck, you will need it :;):

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:35 am**

Hi Sean,

Ive not thought about the crack joints, I assume you mean expansion gaps right? I will take a note as I will need them with the size of the drive.

I've Laid concrete in the past, although "the right way" probably not. Which if why Im seeking as much research as possible. So any help please share, I would be hugely grateful

Cheers

Rusty

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:52 am**

Expansion , contraction. May i suggest r, that you grab a coffee, or 3, beers even, go to the main index and read more about resin bound/bonded, suitable base, how to lay it etc; and then come back for our input. Resin based and concrete are very unforgiving if not done to compliance.

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:03 am**

Thanks Sean, Will do
Whiskey for me! :p

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:40 am**

the people I know who have had a resin bonded driveway installed had it laid on top of tarmac I think mainly due to the fact you have to leave the concrete for 4 - 5 weeks before laying the resin but you can lay the resin on top of the tarmac the following day

I have never inquired about this product myself I am only going off what I have been told when I have quoted for block paving and the home owner was getting quotes for other paving products including resin bonded gravel and they gave me the feed back on the installation procedures given to them by resin bonded driveway companies

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:13 pm**

Like mick I have heard it used more commonly over a tarmac base course.

That was mainly on paths though rather than a drive.

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:16 pm**

Would it be better over tarmac then?
I.E - Should I do a sub base, then tarmac binder course, then the resin bonding, or would concrete be the best option

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:05 pm**

Tarmac, then you dont need to worry about control joints and reflective cracking.
Although you may need to get someone in for that :p

i wouldnt worry too much about uv stable resin as its bonded so you wont see it and most uv stable is slightly weaker and more expensive.

I use uv stable on a light or very dark finish aggregate.

Posted: **Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:29 pm**

Is Tarmac something that definitely cant be done by a "DIYer"?
I assume the tarmac finish has not got to be perfect as it will be cover with resin bound gravel

Posted: **Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:42 am**

Tarmac for a DIYer is a definite no no. of course it still needs to be laid flat minimum tolerence. But if you are prepared to get TBFRBS in then it is a good option. We need your before and after photos r.

Posted: **Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:04 am**

Whats TBFRBS

The Brew Cabin

Resin again!