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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:57 am
by cwight
Hi,
I've just had a new tarmac drive laid (last week). Everything seemed to be done as specified on this site and I generally feel that the contractor did a good job. However, where the kerb has been dropped at the bottom of the drive the tarmac seems to be starting to chew up a bit. I am aware that this can be a problem with modern power steering. The contractor has been back and acknowledges the problem - he even raised the issue and brought it to my attention. he is going to try some sealing grit. Will this work, and if not, do we need to think of a different specification of tarmac in the affected areas, and if so what? I think he laid something like 6mm top coat at about a 30mm depth
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:55 pm
by Dave_L
IS this problem on your driveway or on the footpath?
Did you have a fully specified quotation? What 'type' of tarmac was specified?
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:29 pm
by cwight
Hi,
Thanks for the reply. Well it was specified as 50mm base coat (20mm) and 25mm top coat (6mm); although in practice and because it's on a slope it more like a 70mm base coat and a 30mm top coat. It's mainly happening on the pavement section where the wheels of the car sits before moving out onto the road. It's not a major problem yet, but I don't have any idea how much worse it might get. Also, it's new as well so I know the tarmac may not have fully gone off yet.
He's a council approved contractor (had to get the license to drop the kerb) and since it's only just been done they have yet to come out and approve the dropped crossing, so I'm sure they will pick something up if it's not right. If it gets worse he will, I presume, have to come out and redo the affected section, but I'd rather it didn't get to that.
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:53 pm
by Dave_L
I'd guess it was a non-sma based tarmac - so until it is fully 'cured' it will remain 'soft' and will scuff badly if stationary steered on.
Nothing wrong there with the construction, sounds good.
My advice would be to avoid turning the steering whilst on the new surface for aslong as you can......
Sealing grit will help.
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:27 pm
by Tony McC
If it was hand-laid bitmac, there'll be pen oil involved, which will keep the mac relatively soft for a few weks yet.
See this page
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 7:11 pm
by Dave_L
.....and this time of year will be the worst time for it (When we get some sunshine, that is..............)
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:33 pm
by TarmacLady
But the dark and damp won't be helping it cure out any faster, either.
Patience....
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 10:03 pm
by Dave_L
TarmacLady wrote:But the dark and damp won't be helping it cure out any faster, either.
Patience....
Yep, you got it 
Some bit-grit (tarmac dust) will help in the meantime, but avoiding ANY steering on the new surface is the only option.
It's what we advise our customers anyway.
Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 3:42 pm
by cwight
Ok, thanks for all the replies and helpful advice. he's put some sealing grit down and basically said same as most people here; time and don't steer on it is possible.
Cheers,