Reusing tarmac - Recycling old drive surface

Other groundworks tasks, such as roads and footpaths, terracing, fencing, foundations, walls and brickwork, tools and plant.
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mybestbid
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2005 10:28 pm
Location: Front drive

Post: # 9512Post mybestbid

I've had a quote from a builder to resurface my drive with Tegula blocks. The current surface is tarmac. In order to reduce the cartage and disposal costs, he has proposed crushing the tarmac and mixing it with type one undercoat to act as a sub-base. Is this acceptable practice, and are there any potential drawbacks?
chris101

dig dug dan
Posts: 2504
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 10:20 pm
Location: hemel hempstead,herts. 01442 212315

Post: # 9515Post dig dug dan

firstly, how does he propose to crush the tarmac, as All the small site crushers dont like tarmac. Its too soft and jamms the jaws.
secondly, never use tarmac chippings in any form as a sub base. It is a soft material, the degrades over time and will only cause grief.
A classic example was last nights "rogue traders". They used nothing but road planings as a subbase, and the expert looking over the proceedings stated" not a suitable sub base material"
Not saying you guy is a rogue. I have seen type one with road planings in before. and I have heard of building inspectors rejecting it.

I can see your contractors point of view. He is trying to save you money. You cant mix tarmac with soil for cartage now. The tips wont take it. It has to go to special sites for disposal.

It is getting harder and harder to dipose of waste like this now, hence the increase in fly tipping.

I hope this info helps.

:)
Dan the Crusher Man
01442 212315
www.crusherhire.co.uk
"a satisfied customer? we should have them stuffed!"

danensis
Posts: 335
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2003 4:24 pm
Location: Derbyshire
Contact:

Post: # 9532Post danensis

I never tip flies, the service isn't good enough.

Tony McC
Site Admin
Posts: 8346
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:27 pm
Location: Warrington, People's Republic of South Lancashire
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Post: # 9569Post Tony McC

Tarmac, bitmac and other bituminous/asphaltic products are now classed as hazardous waste because they degrade, decompose, break down over time, and are an oil-based product that can adversely affect watercourses. That's part of the reason why it's so damned expensive to get shut, and why some less reputable traders are mixing it in with other materials.
Site Agent - Pavingexpert

TBB
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:43 pm
Location: Norwich

Post: # 9813Post TBB

Slightly off subject but: I come from a farming background and most farmers will be happy to take 'road planings' or 'crushed concrete' to fill in holes on farm tracks, etc. So my advice is cultivate a contact who will give you somewhere to tip CLEAN concrete and tarmac for free.

But cultivate does not mean turn up in a rusty transit tipper with half a load of road planings because you will be labled a 'didi' and the farmer will think you are going to nick his gates, truck, trailer and so will tell you to go away.

If you make the breakthrough, as I have done, you get to charge the customer and dump hardcore for free! And you don't have to be out at 10pm tipping a load.
TonyBB

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