Tarmac Driveways Dublin

Tips on Maintaining Tarmac Driveways in Dublin

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A tarmac driveway, like all other types of driveways, gets damaged and worn out over time. To ensure your drive’s longevity, you have to be diligent when it comes to its maintenance. A well-maintained tarmacadam driveway can last 15 to 20 years.

Proper and regular maintenance does not just keep your driveway pristine but also minimises your expenses. It allows you to detect problems before they become severe and more expensive to repair.

If you are unsure on how to keep it in excellent condition, here are some tips on how to maintain tarmac driveways in Dublin.

Tarmac Driveways Dublin Tip #1: Apply a Coat of Sealant

A good practical solution to maintain this type of driveway is to apply a coat of sealant regularly. It is recommended that you initially apply the sealant a year after it is installed. Then, a new coat should be applied every 1 to 2 years.

What’s the sealant for? It helps your driveway become resistant to damage caused by foreign elements like water, oil, fuel, other fluids, heat and ultraviolet rays. It does not only protect your driveway but also improves its aesthetics, making it look brand new.

During the winter months, the sealant helps snow and ice melt faster, thereby preventing any damage that can be caused by water and ice.

Tarmac Driveways Dublin Tip #2: Keep It Clean

One of the things that can shorten the service life of a tarmac driveway is standing water.  While a sealant can make your driveway water resistant, it is still possible for some of the water to seep through.

With lower temperatures, this water will turn into ice and expand which will cause cracks on your driveway. Crevices may also appear due to plants or weeds growing through the small cracks.

So, you have to ensure that your driveway is always clean. Remove any standing water as well as loose leaves as these can cause water to pool. Clear out plants as soon as you see them through small cracks.

You also have to watch out for any oil or gasoline spillage on your driveway. These liquids can cause the most damage on your drive as they could cause the tarmac to soften and break down quickly.

You need to wash them quickly with an oil cleaner. You may also use baking soda or dishwashing liquid with water. Another alternative is a material that can soak it from the surface like sawdust or sand. For gasoline spillage, you can use water to wash it off.

Tarmac Driveways Dublin Tip #3: Watch Out for Damages

Another key to a long-lasting tarmac driveway is to keep a watchful eye on the early signs of damage, so you can address them immediately.

After the installation of the tarmac driveway, some people make the mistake of putting heavy items on it before it completely dries up and hardens. This can cause indentations on the surface where water can accumulate.

Similarly, the use of items like jacks, ladders and other heavy equipment or vehicles can cause the same type of indentation damage. This can happen even if the drive was used after the tarmac has already set.

How do you prevent these issues? You can place wooden planks or a sheet of plywood on the driveway first before putting the heavy item on top of it. This distributes the weight of the heavy item and prevents damage on the surface of your driveway.

Tarmac Driveways Dublin Tip #4: Get Professional Maintenance Services

Even if you religiously clean your driveway, it is best practice to ask professionals to deep clean it at least once a year. Cleaning companies have tools which can successfully remove stains and other stuff on your drive that can compromise its integrity.

It is also highly recommended that you let trusted driveway pavers fix damages on your tarmac drive. Letting professionals do the repair is all about ensuring that the problems are fixed properly.

Tarmac Driveways Dublin Tip #5: Keep It Cool on Hot Days

One of the things you have to know about tarmacadam drives is that they are sensitive to high temperatures. Exposure to heat can make the tarmac soft and prone to damage.

So, it is highly recommended to hose cool water over your tarmac driveway during hot summer days. Doing this helps the soften tarmac to harden again.

Need help keeping your tarmac driveway in tiptop condition? Contact New Style Driveways for top-notch installation, repair and cleaning of tarmac driveways in Dublin. Call us now on 0852139591 or email us to request a quote!

What Are the Cheapest Driveway Paving Materials?

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What Are the Cheapest Driveway Paving Materials_

What Are the Cheapest Driveway Paving Materials_

Any homeowner planning to pave their driveway knows just how expensive things can get. Driveway paving certainly isn’t something to be taken lightly. It is a long, tedious process that can end up costing a significant amount, which is why it’s important to plan for it ahead of time.

Without appropriate planning, you might just end up racking up a larger bill than what you can afford. This can take a toll on your personal budget and force you to compromise your recreational spending.

Luckily, though, there are some paving material options that are significantly lighter on the wallet than others. Below, we will discuss the different types of paving materials and shed light on some affordable options.

Aggregate Driveways

Better yet known as gravel, aggregate is one of the most affordable paving options you can employ for your driveway renovation. Gravel driveways can cost you anywhere between $0.50 and $5 per square foot, depending on which type of gravel you’ve chosen, how many layers your driveway requires, and drainage, amongst other factors.

In addition to being remarkably affordable, gravel driveways have a commendable lifespan. You can expect them to last for an indefinite period of time as long as they receive a resurfacing treatment whenever required. The material is extremely durable and easy to look after.

The overall maintenance demands for an aggregate or gravel driveway is low to moderate. This means that a gravel-paved driveway will not cost you much to maintain. There isn’t much this type of driveway requires apart from the occasional resurfacing touch-up, as mentioned previously.

However, gravel is prone to erosion, which is why it is wise to set up a drainage system if your driveway is steep. A straightforward French drain is enough and won’t cost too much to install.

If you’re in a rush to get the job over and done with, aggregate paving is the perfect choice for you. Gravel driveways take less than a day to pave and dry, leaving you with excellent results in no time!

Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt is another excellent option if you’re aiming for affordability. You can expect to pay between $4 and $8 per square foot for this kind of paving.

However, asphalt is a demanding material. Its lifespan is below 20 years, and it requires moderate to high maintenance. But, if you’re looking for a paving material that will give your driveway some brilliant aesthetic appeal, asphalt is the way to go.

Gravel driveways may last longer, but they simply cannot compete with asphalt when it comes to beauty and aesthetics. Also, asphalt driveways are easier to maintain during harsh winters as compared to gravel ones. Also, unlike gravel driveways, asphalt will not become wet and sloppy during the rain, making it a more practical choice than gravel.

Asphalt and aggregate driveways are the most common options for those who want to pave their driveway on a budget. Each material has its own set of pros and cons, but one thing’s for sure: neither material will take a heavy toll on your wallet.

Interested in paving your driveway? We have professional pavers who are experienced in building different types of drives. Call us now on 0852139591 or email us to request a quote!

 

 

Why Hiring Professional Tarmac Contractors Matters

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Why Hiring Professional Tarmac Contractors Matters

Why Hiring Professional Tarmac Contractors Matters

Driveways may look like the simplest part of your property to maintain, but it may require more care than most of us are equipped to give. Therefore, many people prefer to hire a professional tarmac contractor who knows how to do the job well.

If you’re still trying to decide whether or not to hire a professional tarmac contractor, read on because, in this article, we will cover a list of reasons why you should go for it.

Why You Should Hire a Professional Tarmac Contractor

There are several reasons why you should consider hiring professional tarmac contractors to pave your driveway:

Reliability

Hiring professionals from a well-reputed tarmacking company will guarantee you reliable service. Reliability includes them completing the required work within the set time frame and providing quality services without causing you any significant trouble.

Quality Services

A team of professionals can do a much better job at tarmacking than an inexperienced individual. The process of paving your driveway isn’t as easy as it looks, unless you have done it a few times before, chances are that you’ll mess up unless you’re working under an expert’s guidance.

Providing quality services includes using top-notch materials for the job, completing the task within the allotted time, and providing the driveway with a neat finish that leaves it looking fresh and presentable.

Time

Hiring an expert team of tarmac contractors will save you both time and money, not to mention the hassle of doing the job yourself. A professional’s hand can lay down your driveway’s new paving at a much faster rate than you could simply due to a difference in tarmacking experience.

Money

You’re also bound to save money on the job because when you hire a professional contractor, you are also temporarily subscribing to the use of their machines on your property. This means that you won’t have to go out and purchase paving machinery yourself but can instead pay a fraction of the price to a contractor and get the same work done.

Access to Machinery

Leading on from our last point, tarmacking is a tedious job that often requires the use of professional machinery. By hiring a tarmac contractor, your driveway will receive treatment from these machines that can offer a remarkably smooth and clean finish.

Liability Coverage

Sometimes, paving your driveway can cause damage to your property. If you plan on carrying out your tarmacking job by yourself, be warned: if you end up damaging your driveway, you will have to pay for repairs from your own pocket.

However, if you hire professional tarmac contractors and they accidentally damage your property, you can find comfort in the fact that they will cover the costs of any damage they may have caused. 

As you can see, many excellent benefits come with hiring expert tarmac contractors, including saving up on time and effort, access to professional machinery, and liability coverage if the need ever arises.

If you’re looking for a reliable tarmac contractor based in Dublin, why not consider getting in touch with our experts at New Style Driveways?