Page 1 of 1
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:55 am
by scotty123
In October we had a large tarmac driveway laid minus the top coat by a large local reputable specialist. They came back and laid the top coat in March. The delay was simply cos we were having other building work done and making a mess.
We didnt have the tarmac edged as the plan is to soften the edges with bushes and shrubs.
The problem: Weeds have pushed up through the tarmac near the edge already. I queried this with a chap from the company. he said that its because we have no edging. If thats the case, shouldnt they have warned us in the first place. Also, in the recent hot weather, a visitor did a 3 point turn in his car and the surface is scuffed with a set of tyre marks. Is this to be expected? Will the surface get harder as it ages? 
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:16 am
by Dave_L
Tarmac driveway with no edge restraints? It would appear it was your choice? I would have thought that vegetation growth up to the tarmac would have been expected, wouldn't you?
What surface course did you have laid? Did you get a specification?
Tarmac will harden with age; obviously it will take a lot longer in the hotter months.....until it does so, all car drivers should take extra care when turning - avoid it if at all possible.
Your weed problem - you could treat the weeds with a suitable weed solution - that's about the only advice I can give.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:27 am
by scotty123
Not knowing anything about tarmac, I just assumed that the depth etc would be enough to prevent it. Thats the kind of reason that people who dont know employ people who do. No edge restraints was my choice but if the surveyor had said they stop the weeds iI would have followed his advice.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:32 am
by Dave_L
Yes - you'd assume so, but the job is now done - so lets look foward. Do you know what [tarmac] materials were laid to what thicknesses? I hope the edges are deep enough, otherwise these weeds can literally break up tarmac, they're strong little buggers, some of them!
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:23 am
by Rich H
With no restraint it would be nigh on impossible to have the full depth of base and wearing course all the way to the edge. How would you stop it from thinning out under compaction with nothing solid to stop it? I don't mean to be harsh but it's no good saying that it's up to the professionals to stop you doing something you've decided upon. We've all had clients who are very particular about what they want and then when it's done and they don't like it they say things like 'you should have warned us.'
Weeds will go through a thinnish layer of soft mac without problem.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:39 am
by Rich H
I should add that the lads' van broke down this morning. Had to transfer all the tools to my pickup, tow the van to the garage and then get to their site (I'm supposed to be at another one). Too wet to do both jobs. Pack up again and go home, watch England get thrashed again by the All Blacks. Still too wet to work.
Not normally this grumpy.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 1:42 pm
by scotty123
I cant remember the exact spec, something like 100mm type 1; 100mm coarse base; 50mm fine top layer. Rich H, I certainly wasn't adamant about my requirements, merely stated a preference. If the surveyor had advised me otherwise I would have taken his advice. Are you saying that you wouldnt advise a customer on the best methods? Using your view, its your own fault that the lads' van broke down so why are you grumpy? You should have known it would brake down...or aren't you a mechanic? See what I mean?
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:08 pm
by Dave_L
100mm type1 sub base isn't enough...
100mm bascourse is too much for a residential driveway/track
50mm surface course is too much too!
If ground conditions are good, I'd have specc'd 150/60/40.
It is possible to lay an overall decent thickness of tarmac without restrained edges; it just requires some skill with the roller and leaving the edges until the last pass.
Scott - I don't think there is anything more you can do apart from get those weeds treated ASAP.