My concrete driveway was laid well over 30 years ago by some previous occupant and over the years has worn badly with fairly large holes exposing the underlaying aggregate which gets worse with every frost and heavy rain. I don't want to rip it up which is what it really needs but is there any way I can just skim it over to seal, improve durability and look? I've considered one of the Floor Levelling Compounds as sold by Wickes for instance (probably concrete filling the biggest holes first) but I'm not sure of the durability of this stuff outside on a driveway? Or could I just use a fairly strong cement mix to skim it with?
P.S - congratulations on great site!!
Repair of old concrete drive - 30+ yo drive in need of tlc!
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Tony McC
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The name gives it away - FLOOR levelling compound. It's no use for external pavements, which we don't call floors.
You could use a high-strength poly-concrete overlay, but this isn't as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. These overlays are a specialist skill and can only be done successfully by competent trained contractors. It is NOT a DIY job.
Neither is it cheap. Some of the prices quoted for previous projects have been almost the same as the cost of digging up the old and starting again, and for small jobs (50 square metres or less) they can be more expensive.
A cheaper option would be a granolithic overlay, with a SBR/Ronafix slurry coat. However, grano is not always easy to find, especially in Lower Britain. The good news, though, is that it is much more DIY friendly, if that's the way you want to go.
You could use a high-strength poly-concrete overlay, but this isn't as straightforward as it might seem at first glance. These overlays are a specialist skill and can only be done successfully by competent trained contractors. It is NOT a DIY job.
Neither is it cheap. Some of the prices quoted for previous projects have been almost the same as the cost of digging up the old and starting again, and for small jobs (50 square metres or less) they can be more expensive.
A cheaper option would be a granolithic overlay, with a SBR/Ronafix slurry coat. However, grano is not always easy to find, especially in Lower Britain. The good news, though, is that it is much more DIY friendly, if that's the way you want to go.
Site Agent - Pavingexpert
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simeonronacrete
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Tony: thanks for recommending Ronafix. It will certainly do the job.
Mike: a repaired concrete driveway will look repaired unless you repair the holes and then add a total overlay to mask the repairs and give the drive a new look.
If you want a contractor to survey and quote, let me know. You can contact the Technical Department at Ronacrete and ask for a specialist contractor to phone you and give you a quote to repair your drive. The number is 01279 638700.
Hope we can help.
Regards
Edited By simeonronacrete on 1129534778
Mike: a repaired concrete driveway will look repaired unless you repair the holes and then add a total overlay to mask the repairs and give the drive a new look.
If you want a contractor to survey and quote, let me know. You can contact the Technical Department at Ronacrete and ask for a specialist contractor to phone you and give you a quote to repair your drive. The number is 01279 638700.
Hope we can help.
Regards
Edited By simeonronacrete on 1129534778
Simeon Osen
Ronacrete Ltd - http://www.ronacrete.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1279 638 700
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/Ronacrete
Ronacrete Ltd - http://www.ronacrete.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 1279 638 700
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/Ronacrete