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What Driveway Paving Materials Are Used in Dublin?

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Paving Driveway in Finglas

Paving Driveway in Finglas

Are you renovating your driveway or building a new one? One of the critical things you have to decide on for this home improvement project is which driveway paving solution to use.

The good news is that there are various driveway paving materials in Dublin to meet your design needs and budget. The bad news is that choosing can be challenging and overwhelming if you have zero knowledge about these solutions or finishes.

But you don’t have to worry as this article gives you an overview of the top driveway paving solutions. Read on to understand what your options are and which one best suits your requirements.

Common Driveway Paving Materials in Dublin

Gravel, tar and chip, tarmac and concrete are the widely used paving solutions or finishes for drives all over Ireland.

The cheapest among these materials is gravel, while the most expensive is concrete. A gravel driveway costs an average of €45 to €65 per square metre. On the other hand, a concrete driveway costs around €80 to €120 per square metre.

You should know that two major factors affect the overall price of a driveway: material costs and labour fees. In the case of concrete driveways, aside from the materials, labour costs are also expensive. This is mainly because building this drive requires much work – more work means more hours.

Certainly, the prices of these materials are not the only information you want to know. So, below, we listed down some of the pros and cons of each driveway paving solution.

Gravel

Pros:

  • Cheapest to acquire yet durable and long-lasting
  • Can be installed without the need for sophisticated tools and advanced techniques
  • Better water drainage

Cons:

  • Prone to ruts and erosion
  • Not ideal for cold climate because it is difficult to snowplough
  • Frequent spreading and filling are necessary

Tarmac

Pros:

  • Resistant to extreme weather conditions
  • Able to withstand heavy weights, which makes it a good choice if you have multiple vehicles
  • Quick to install since it dries faster than other materials, resulting in shorter downtime and minimal disruption in your household or property
  • No need to replace the entire drive when a portion gets damaged

Cons:

  • Requires regular resealing to preserve its appearance and extend its life
  • Diesel spillage can dissolve tar, the binding agent of the aggregate, which can cause the driveway surface to break down and develop holes
  • UV light can make it brittle, resulting in potholes

Tar and Chip

Pros:

  • Conceals oil stains better than concrete and tarmac
  • Provides good traction for vehicles
  • No need to replace displaced stones often

Cons:

  • Clearing snow can be challenging and may damage the drive
  • Limited lifespan (approximately 10 years) compared to concrete (about 40 years or longer)

Concrete

Pros:

  • Can last many years – up to 50 years with proper maintenance
  • Very durable and can withstand the heaviest vehicle

Cons:

  • Require annual maintenance
  • When damaged, the whole driveway must be removed and replaced
  • More expensive than other materials like gravel and tarmac

Choosing Driveway Paving Materials in Dublin

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, it will be easy to choose which one suits the driveway you want.

Just a reminder:

When choosing, make sure you consider other factors, not just the material’s price. So, as you take your time to examine your options, think about the following factors as well:

Location’s Weather Conditions

It is crucial to note the weather conditions in your area to know which material can best withstand constant exposure to the elements.

For example, a gravel driveway is discouraged in places with snow, as snowploughing can be difficult. Meanwhile, a tarmac driveway may not be a good choice in areas with plenty of sunshine since excessive exposure to UV light degrades it.

 Aesthetic Appeal

Your driveway should complement the design elements and landscaping of your property. So, consider the colour, texture and other characteristics of the material you are eyeing.

Keep in mind, a driveway is not just a functional feature. It is also an aesthetic element that can increase your property’s value when built well.

Maintenance Demands

Know how much time, effort and money you will be willing to spend on the maintenance and upkeep of your driveway.

Remember, maintenance works are not only corrective but preventive as well. They must be regularly conducted to keep your driveway pristine and ensure its longevity.

Regulatory Restrictions

Inquire about and comply with the rules and regulations regarding property improvements in your locality or neighbourhood. Before making a purchase, know if specific colours or materials are prohibited.

In conclusion, the best material for your driveway is derived from a well-informed decision. Professional pavers can guide you in this task, helping you make the best choice.

Gravel, tar and chip, tarmac or concrete – which driveway paving material should you use for your Dublin property? Talk to our experienced driveway pavers! Call us now on (01) 4851582 | 0852139591 or click here to leave us a message.

How to Repair Petrol-Damaged Tarmac Driveways

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Tarmac Driveway with Silver Granite Border 2

Tarmac Driveway with Silver Granite Border 2

Tarmac is a popular driveway material in Ireland. It is also widely used in building roads and car parks. Why is it popular? It is primarily due to its affordability, as tarmac is one of the cheapest paving solutions. Moreover, since it is easy to install, professional driveway pavers charge lower labour fees for this type of driveway.

Despite its cheap cost, tarmac driveways can last many years as they are very durable. They can withstand extreme weather and heavy loads. But tarmac drives are not invincible, and if there is one thing that can significantly damage them, it is petrol, paraffin, diesel and other light oils.

What Happens to Tarmac Driveways Exposed to Oils?

Tarmacadam has tar, a sticky black liquid made from coal or petroleum. Tar is what binds the crushed stone or sand together. Similarly, bitumen, the fluid that binds asphalt, is also made from petroleum.

Since tarmac is a petrol-based product, it dissolves when exposed to oil products. Specifically, the tar disintegrates, resulting in the aggregates not having a binding agent. When the aggregates are unbound, holes easily develop and quickly become bigger.

Suffice to say, an oil spill won’t just leave a nasty stain on your driveway. It can damage your drive significantly, even if the leak involves a minimal amount of oil.

Unbeknownst to many, oil can seep and spread, degrading the tarmac it comes to contact with. It can only take a few days for the oil to ‘break down’ a 75mm-thick tarmac drive.

Spilt Petrol on Tarmac Driveways – What Should You Do?

The thing is that, no matter how careful you are, you may have to deal with problems due to spilt petrol or oil at some point in your driveway’s useful life.

Now, what should you do when spills happen?

Act on it immediately!

If you are there when the spill takes place, get a rag and mop up as much petrol as you can. It is imperative that you get on it quickly to prevent the oil from spreading and causing enormous damage.

After mopping, use a detergent mixed with warm water to break down the petrol. Spot clean the stained area using a brush. Just make sure not to apply too much pressure when brushing so the aggregate won’t loosen. When you are done applying the mixture, rinse off the area with water.

Alternatively, you can get rid of excess petrol using sawdust or a sweeping compound. You may leave the substance sitting for at least 20 minutes or even overnight. Dust the area off afterwards. Take note that you should avoid using a high-pressure hose at this point as doing so can push the petrol deeper into the driveway.

Repairing Petrol-Damaged Tarmac Driveways

In most cases, the spillage is not noticed until damage has been done. One reason is that the oil was coming from drips under the vehicle.

So, what do you do in this situation?

Waste no time in addressing the problem!

Postponing the repair work means more time for the petrol to chemically react with the material components of your driveway. This will weaken the integrity of your drive and will require more time, money, and effort to make it safe and structurally sound once again.

It is also imperative that you call a professional driveway repairs company to fix the damage. This is because repairing a drive damaged by oil can be challenging for the inexperienced. It would be best to let professionals handle this work for you. On top of their know-how and experience, pros have the tools to help them accomplish the job quickly without sacrificing quality.

But how is a petrol-damaged tarmac driveway repaired?

What is done is that the contaminated area is cut out using a power saw. This prevents the petrol from eating its way through the tarmac. It is important to remove all the contaminated material on the top surface and below it.

Once the damaged parts are removed, the hole or emptied area is filled using a commercial tarmac repair product.

The downside of this approach is that the patch is visible, which can be unsightly. However, the patch may blend with the rest of the tarmac driveway and become less noticeable over time.

It pays to remember that time is a crucial factor in addressing this kind of problem. Although professionals can handle challenging repairs, it is still more cost-effective to contact them once you notice early signs of damage.

Do you have a petrol-damaged tarmac driveway? Let us fix the damage! Call us today on (01) 4851582 | 0852139591 or leave a message here for a free quotation.