Contractor tarmac problems - advice needed

[w1lz]

Hi There,

Hoping for some advice on a private drive/ tarmac works that have recently taken place.

We have had a contractor in to replace existing driveway/ access road to 10 residential homes.

On the first part of the driveway we feel the contractor has cut a huge corner. They didn't have enough binder course (20mm bitumen macadam 125 Pen) to complete the hill at the beginning of the access road. They proceeded to use the surface course (6mm bitumen macadam 125 pen) as a base coat for this area (strait onto hardcore). At this point I told them this is not acceptable and not what had been agreed or placed over the rest of the road. They gave in and ordered 4 tonnes of the 20mm binder course. I assumed they would take the surface course they had already laid up... but they didn't. They placed the binder course on top of the surface course and then more surface course on top of the binder. We essentially have a sandwich of materials on the hill!

Me and the rest of the residents are very concerned about this application and really just wanted some independent advice on whether what they have done is ok? Will it hold as well as a normal binder/ surface course? Is it good practice to do what they have done?

Many Thanks in advance, we are currently pulling our hair out because it was a clear way of saving money as to avoid a small load of binder- we just wish they did the job as discussed and properly. But we really need to decide how to address the issue now. The contractors are currently being very closed and saying the surface is perfect- spouting a lot of what we feel is bull!

Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[bobbi o]

I would say its most likely to be OK.

You could withhold a sum of money, as retention, for a period of say 12 months.

If there are any problems arising, from using the wrong material, then they would most likely appear within this period.

Or Strictly speaking you could instruct them to re-do it, as they haven't followed the supplied specification.

[w1lz]

Thank you for responding bobbi.

What you say about holding a retention for 12 months sounds like a good idea. I will put it forward to the other residents.


With that said it's difficult to accept what they have done knowing its wrong. Half of me feels it just needs re doing

On another note we have areas of very rough aggregate, it seems some places where there is a join they have not been able to compact/ smooth out some of the Tarmac adequately, is this normal? I do have pictures but cannot see how to upload them!

If anyone else has any ideas on the hill section it would be greatly appreciated!

[rxbren]

You won't get any chance of having a retention as wasn't in contract/terms when you agreed the work
If you could upload some pictures people would be able to see what you mean
As long as the depth of tarmac is sufficient the use of 6mm instead of 20mm probably wont make a huge difference
At the end of the day if you went with a good company (not saying you haven't) they wont risk anything to damage there image

[bobbi o]

You won't get any chance of having a retention as wasn't in contract/terms when you agreed the work
If you could upload some pictures people would be able to see what you mean
As long as the depth of tarmac is sufficient the use of 6mm instead of 20mm probably wont make a huge difference
At the end of the day if you went with a good company (not saying you haven't) they wont risk anything to damage there image

Neither was using a surface course, as base !

If some areas are rough,its possible that the material was cold before the roller hit it.

It should be possible to re-heat and re-roll

[GB_Groundworks]

You can email me the pictures and I'll put them up, Giles @ gbgroundworks dot com



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1458853348

[w1lz]

GB Groundworks- I've just emailed you, thank you so much!


We did choose a company that has been around for a while and came across very well. The fact he was going to lay 80mm+ of surface course rang complete alarm bells. I just think they wanted to cut a few corners to save money.

Bobbi - it does appear sections were rolled cold that's exactly what it looks like. The contractor says this is normal but in my opinion it looks normal for a 10 year old road! I have sent the pics so hopefully they will be up soon !

[GB_Groundworks]

sorry they went into junk or id have put them up the other day














Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1458979886

[GB_Groundworks]

if my surfacing sub contractors had done that they'd not be getting paid till it was corrected, as i know the client would be onto me and id be getting it in the ear, my lads wouldn't have done that but needs planing out and redoing but then you'll have a patch repair.

ill give dave a buzz as well tell him to add comments he's another resident black top boy.

[bobbi o]

There's nothing good to say about that job.

Its a really poor standard of workmanship.

As GB says, get another contractor in and rip up and replace.

[w1lz]

Thank you for uploading these Giles! It would be great to hear from
Dave too, I need to get as many opinions as possible especially from people in the trade.

Giles when you say 'if my surfacing sub contractors had done that' are you referring to how they have laid the hill or the pictures?

Bobbi thanks again for your reply.

To give everyone a little more insight into the job... The total cost for the job is £17,000 (that's inclusive of vat) we have already paid a £2,000 deposit. According to citizens advice we have to give them time to make good whay they have already done. Therefore we can't just get someone else in- plus we already have £2,000 invested.

If we went back to them and ask to make good I know they will want to patch repair, is that really acceptable for a 1 week old job, to have patches everywhere?!

Furthermore I really don't trust these guys anymore and feel any further work may just be as bad, so pulling my hair out with what to do.

Finally the contractor gave us all a care insrtuctions list after he knew of complaints. He says in one section the rough areas are down to hand laid bituminous products... 'The nominal size of aggregate collects together giving a high percentage of course aggregate content and low fines ratio- this appearance is purely cosmetic and does to serve to harm or cause deterioration to the surface. Overtime it will dissipate with maturity...' This is what he puts the photos down to. I just simply don't believe it, I think it's where they have attempted to use cold Tarmac and it is unable to compact/ be rolled. The rough areas look like the beginnings of pot holes and will surely just get rougher over time? It also only affects certain areas and not all hand laid sections.

It's so frustrating and the issue becomes more difficult because 10 houses are involved in the job!

Thanks

[GB_Groundworks]

im referring to the mess they've made of the job in general, which bit is the hill?

[w1lz]

Ok thanks. None of the photos are off the hill, the photos are just of 'other issues'.

The original post is about the first part of the drive the hill- basically the contractor has laid it incorrectly and tried to cut a corner !

But anyway to you the pictures look like a mess and not acceptable? The contractor has said this is normal in places where larger aggregate gathers or something?!

[w1lz]

Hi folks- is sealing grit a suitable way to solve the issues with the rough areas? Or is it in need of patching?

Any info on this would be helpful!

[Dave_L]

I'd be more than slightly embarrassed if that was one of my jobs........