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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:45 am
by glerwill
Hello,
I laid a concrete drive myself about a year ago - approx 3M x 4M on a slope of about 1 in 40.
It is good and solid and has no cracks, but cosmetically it is not as good as I would have wished. The surface is not perfectly level and I need to put a drainage channel accross the front of the garage. Putting the drainage in I can do by cutting some of the concrete out and fitting a new channel.
Can anyone tell me the best way to improve the surface of the drive with the minimum increase in height. I have an open mind - more concrete, tarmac, another compound or surface professional laid or diy.
I presume I would need to pressure clean the surface of the concrete if I expect anything to bond to it.
Naturally enough, I do not wish to 'rip it up and start again' as it is strong and functional already.
Thanks for any advice you can give
Graham
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:13 am
by seanandruby
Thats the trouble with bare concrete as a finished job, it never comes out as you imagine it will. It takes years of experience to get the concrete to work for you. You could use a resin bond finish, details on main index along with other options.
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:33 am
by lutonlagerlout
yeah agree with sean RBG is about the long and short of it for you
slabs you would be looking at an extra 100 mm in height tarmac maybe 70 mm and not recommended on a rigid sub base
LLL 
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:17 pm
by Tony McC
There are just two "thin overlay" options for this scenario: a thin concrete topping or a resin-bonded/bound gravel.
Thin concrete toppings are a specially-blended fine-aggregate coloured mortar that is usually sprayed over a prepared surface and then textured or patterned in some way, which may include stencilling, rag-rolling, stippling. The possibilities are, as they say, endless, but this is a technique that requires a high level of artistry to get right, and that's where it often fails. Instead of an artist, you get some great galumphing oaf with two left hands for whom shovelling mass concrete is a doddle, but when it comes to applying a 2-3mm high-strength over-layer, has all the artistry of an Orang-Utan with a box of Crayola. So, too many of these projects end up with a slightly-stippled monochrome bo-o-o-o-ring surface and it's often debatable as to whether there is an actual aesthetic improvement on what was there previously.
If you find a contractor with genuine skills in this area, then the results can be truly stunning, and very, very cost-effective, but it's not easy to find such a contractor. Check out previous work using thin overlays, don't just take their word for it, or rely on photos of work they might not even have done. Don't chance it: wait until you find a truly competent contractor.
Resin bonded and resin bound surfaces are discussed in great length on the main website, so rather than repeat all that here, you can find the info starting on this page.
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:51 pm
by simeonronacrete
I see three options:
Resin Bonded Aggregate
a few mm thick
hard aggregate "glued" to concrete
use fast cure Ronadeck Fast Grip
specialist installation
Resin Bound Aggregate
15mm thick
a resin "screed" giving a decorative surface
use Ronadeck Resin Bound Surfacing
specialist installation
Thin bonded cement screed
6mm thick (min)
preferably containing granite (15mm min)
use Ronafix Mix A screed or Ronafix Mix B granite screed (the granite mix)
no less "decorative" than concrete
can use white cement to make it look less grey
screeders installation
If you want to know more give our Technical Department a call, 01279 638 700.
Simeon
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:23 pm
by glerwill
Thanks for all the advice. All the suggestions seem good to me - would rather not do slabs or tarmac(because of height gain).
Are you aware of any good people willing to quote in the Hereford area? and rough order of costs?
rgds
Graham
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:39 am
by matt h
what about concrete polishing? Look up surface solutions.co
.uk
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:52 pm
by greencrete
We sell a line of pigmentable sealers which are great at cosmetically fixing problem areas as well as sealing for longevity. The process is done in one shot...couldn't be easier. There are before and after photos on the sealant page of our website. These pigmentable sealers are also fantastic for enhancing tired pavers. www.greencrete.co.uk