Common Problems with Resin Bound Driveways & How to Avoid Them?

Of recent, resin bound driveways have been the preferred choice among homeowners and the reasons are not far-fetched. They are durable solutions, able to maintain their colour for years. They are beautiful, come in different colours, easy to install and permeable thanks to their porous surfaces which make them ideal to combat issues of flooding and puddling.

As long as they are installed with UV resistant resins, they are able to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Despite these benefits, there are also certain driveway problems we should not overlook. It must be said that most of these problems show up later upon usage when installation of the drive was poorly done, thus highlighting the importance of having professionals from a reputable installation company to handle your resin bound driveway projects. Other problems can arise as a result of poor maintenance.

Here are some resin bound driveway problems and steps you can take to avoid them;

1. Drainage Issues

One of the important features of a resin bound driveway is its high surface porosity which allows water to drain easily away from the surface. This is very vital as this permeability is an SUDS requirement in order not to put pressure on water ways and drainage channels.

Sometimes, resin bound drives may still have puddles of water on the surface and this is because it was poorly installed or a non-permeable subbase was used in the installation. It simply means the driveway is not SUDS compliant.

The solution to this is to slope the driveway, construct additional drainage channels or completely install a new driveway.

2. Loose aggregates

When there is poor bonding between the resin and the aggregate stones, they work loose overtime. This may most likely be as a result of pour mixing of the resin and stones prior to pouring the mixture on the driveway. When these stones begin come off, they may seem as nothing but then them develop into an ugly patch if nothing is done to address the issue.

To take care of this problem, simply call a resin drive specialist who will chisel out the affected area and make appropriate repairs. The repair has to be done to blend with the surrounding area so that the resin drive remains uniform.

3. Colour change

Your resin driveway may be affected by discolouration over time. This is usually because non-UV resistant resin was used in the installation. Non-UV resistant resins are affected by UV rays from the sun which causes them to react with aggregate stones and change colours. This is mostly noticed with light-coloured stones.

For some people, it is something they can ignore. However, some people cannot stand it. To tackle this issue, make use of UV resistant resins for your driveway installations.

4. Lumps

Bumps, lumps or unevenness can appear on your driveway. This is chiefly because of an uneven sub base. With time, an uneven sub bases causes more serious problems on your driveway. For instance, water begins to form pools on those areas where you have dips on your driveway surface. When water collects on the driveway surface, issues such as cracks, discolouration, etc. begin to affect the driveway.

To solve this problem, you have to re-install the driveway and make sure the sub base is flat and even.

5. Cracks

Cracks begin to appear on your resin drive when there are cracks in the subbase. Cracking is a serious issue and needs to be fixed as it can put your safety at risk. When cracks are not quickly addressed, they become bigger issues. For instance, the base may begin to move or give way.

The only way to solve this issue is to re-lay the driveway and ensure that a suitable sub-base is laid before laying the resin surface.

5. Rusts

While this is not a very common issue, it also happens with time. It is a gradual process that happens as a result of the reaction of naturally occurring iron pyrites in some aggregate stones with air or moisture. The reaction here is that the iron becomes oxidized and that is the rust stains that appear on the driveway surface.

This issue can be effectively handled by treating the area with oxalic acid before washing off immediately with cold water. To avoid the issue entirely, you can instruct your installer to avoid using aggregate stones containing iron for your driveway.

Please read our blog to know more about the benefits of the resin-bound driveway.

Reach Out To Resin Driveway Experts

If you are planning to install a driveway, it is in your best interest that the right driveway installation company handles your project for best results.

At YourResinDriveway.com, we have professional installers to handle any type of resin drives including bound & bonded driveways. We also offer consultancy and after sales services.

Our resin bound solutions are durable, hardwearing and of low maintenance requirement. They are also fully permeable with a smooth, flat and seamless surface.

If you already have a driveway but it has some of the issues listed here, also contact us for professional repairs and specialist advice. Maintaining your driveway properly is also very important. We can also provide you with valuable tips to ensure that your driveway lasts for you.

Reach out to us via our helpline 0808 273 7505 to discuss your resin project be it a patio, pathway, driveway, carpark, golf courses, etc. You can be rest assured that you will receive nothing but the best.