The weather might be cold out there, but our phone lines and emails are HOT!
Winter is just around the corner, and for the last couple of weeks, we’ve been inundated with questions about the weather and whether (forgive the pun) now would be a good time to install your dream driveway.
At StoneSet Resin we don’t do weather forecasts, but we know a thing or two about what works and what doesn’t come rain or shine.
The two major weather conditions that will (or should) stop surfacing works are hard frost and heavy rain.
Read on for our quick overview of what can and can’t be done, depending on the weather.
ew people like working outside in sub-zero or near-zero temperatures, but that’s not the only reason for postponing an installation or postponing resurfacing your driveway. There are structural reasons too.
The two main issues when it comes to frost are that it interferes with curing times and can cause a temporary expansion of unbound materials. Paving over a frozen sub-grade or using frozen aggregate will inevitably lead to the drive sinking once the thaw occurs, which can be a big problem especially if the thaw occurs a long time after the ‘boys’ have finished. It might look great at sign-off, but a few weeks later you’ll be left with a sinking driveway, not to mention a sinking feeling!
The only work StoneSet Resin will undertake during hard frosts is excavation and some drainage works on a driveway installation, so if the temperature drops below 3°C we’ll be off the tools and on our way home for a brew! There are a few exceptions…read on to find out what they are.
We know there are times when the work just has to carry on and when that happens frost proofers can be added to the mix.
If you can wait, we would always recommend you do; frost proofers don’t come cheap and will (significantly) increase the cost of your driveway.
If you’re still thinking of going ahead with the installation (despite our warnings above), if you do nothing else, insist that your contractor doesn’t use any frozen sand, gravel, or another aggregate in the mix.
Of course, frost-proof concrete can be installed during periods of low temperatures BUT additional air temperature protection is usually required in the form of insulation or heated coverings; this again will increase the cost of your driveway installation – but it can be done for those who have a project deadline to meet!
Tarmac and hot-laid asphalt can be laid in temperatures down to around 4°C, but NOT onto a frozen sub-grade (for the reasons mentioned above).
Resin-bound surfacing, however, can continue during sub-zero temperatures, if it’s dry, but the surface will take considerably longer to go off.
Ask your contractor whether they’ll be using a ‘Winter’ version and whether a catalyst will be required.
In summary, Hard Frost, should and will stop works when you use a reputable contractor.
We live in the United Kingdom. It goes without saying that there are rarely weeks that go by without a bit of the wet stuff. If we downed tools every time it rained, we’d never get anything done. When it comes to drizzle or light showers, the show can go on, but there are some exceptions.
Here’s a list of what you can do…
- Excavation
- Drainage Installation
- Prepping the sub-grade (spreading and levelling)
- Concrete
- Edging
- Kerbs
- With a caveat…
- Paving
- Tarmac
- Block Paving
- Cobbles
- Flags
Excessive moisture weakens concrete and mortar, using a stiffer mix can be used during light rain or drizzle to counteract the slump.
For unbound subgrade, check that the bed isn’t saturated, if it is, it could shift in an unpredictable way, leaving an unfirm bed and an uneven surface.
If in doubt, wait until the base is slightly damp, but not wet!
Detailed mortar work (including pointing and jointing block paving)
Patterned Concrete
Lay any surface on standing water
It’s nigh on impossible to joint block paving work with wet sand (get in touch if you want to find out how to work around this one!).
Laying patterned concrete in heavy rain is likely to leave you with a random pattern dependent upon the size and force of the rain but in any event, not the one you chose.
If you need any advice about your dream driveway project, get in touch with us today. At StoneSet we provide a written guarantee. When you’re ready to get started, give us a call on 01522 253020/07932 278489 or fill out our enquiry form hereESIN BOUND DRIVEWAYS IN LINCOLN AND AROUND LINCOLNSHIRE
