resin bonded stone pricing is a popular subject now the  fairweather gardening time has arrived.

As with most building materials an estimate ( an approximate)  is just what it says.  A quote ( a fixed charge) is a price for doing the job.

Resin Bonded  Gravel and Resin Bonded  Aggregate providing an alternative to the usual options  for your driveway path or patio. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. 

We are based in Nottinghamshire . We have completed anti slip surfacing  in Skegby,  Aspley,  Bilsthorpe, Bulwell,  Clay cross, Cotgrave  Huthwaite,  Mansfield Woodhouse, New Houghton,  Pentrich, Ravenshead, Sellers Wood, Shirebrook,  Toton, Warsop, Worksop

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a resin bonded USP for your concrete or patio would have to be the fact that it uses an existing surface as a base.

Not all resin resurfacing is bonded and therefore does not provide the benefit of the USP on using an existing surface.  This week we have been provided with a number of enquiries all needing clarification as to the difference between resin bonded and resin bound surfacing and paving options.

We are Mansfield based and have been working with resin for nearly 2 decades and even to this day we still have to clarify the differences in resin, its purposes and uses and the benefits.

We have even recently seen a resurfacing with resin on a block paved drive which is not a something we advocate. Resin is a solid monolithic surface the same as concrete and tarmac and installing resin bonded stone on an impermeable surface means it reinforces the stability and strength of the resin.  The USP being it uses existing surfaces.  Don’t take our word for it.  Call for an example near you.

Mansfield Ashfield Sutton Chesterfield Higham Alfreton Shirland Westhouse Stonebroom Morton Pilsey Tibshelf Stanton Hill Shirebrook

Commercial or residential we can help.

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We at Drive-Cote Ltd are aware of the bad reputations some driveway companies have developed.

In a very basic and manual industry, it is all to easy for a  business  to not realise they are only as good as their worst workman.  If your  worst is workman is exemplorary  then your  recommendations and work should be exemplorary!

We have obtained a job this week that we very nearly did not get.

We had  quoted on this concrete driveway in Nottingham back in October.  This fairly large area had a block paved edge and the client was looking to resurfacing the area excluding the edge.  This was to be cleaned prior to the installation.  Our client tells us that they liked our product and were quite happy with Simon’s approach, however they chose to go with the competitor – may be price and/ or availablity  i.e our  waiting list – we did not ask. As they say competition is good and you can’t win them all.  However 2 months down the line the client has decided to give us the job to complete.  As a matter of interest and as we pride ourselves on our driveway customer service, we asked why they did not follow through with the other company.  (See our previous post for a really bad example)

They explained that the other company actually started the works.  However after starting to clean the edgings, they then started to push to have the existing concrete removed and actually got quite aggressive about it.  Our client was not swayed by the pushiness of the contractor.  The reason he had chosen resin bonded stone was because

• it was less disruptive
• could be completed in a day
• was anti slip and inhibited weed growth
• did not affect existing levels
• and used the existing surface

We at Drive-Cote like to pride ourselves on driveway customer service.

• we always try to be on time
• we never knowingly over price
• we like to think we are clean and tidy in our work
• and offer value for money.
• civility and politeness cost nothing.

Customer service is key in our business and should be for any business.  We have an added advantage that with over 15 years experience in the trade and in dealing with people ( not just customers).

If you want honest and friendly advice (free) fair and competitive pricing then call us for a chat. 01623 623986  Derbyshire, Mansfield, Shirebrook, Okeaskey, Glapwell, Bramley Vale,  Mansfield Woodhouse free no obligation quotes.  Concrete, tarmac imprinted concrete. Path patio or driveway we can help.

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The weather certainly seems to be taking its toll on the  UK over the past few weeks .  From rains and floods to tree and damaging storms.  The recent reports in the papers  show the extent of the full force of the weather.  This has resulted in spray concrete  currently being used as a temporary barrier.  Have doe a little investigation as we did consider if  spray concrete as resin drive base was an option but it isn’t well  not yet) This report goes on to say

“Around 80 m of sea wall has been destroyed by high tides and stormy seas, causing a significant stretch of railway to collapse into the sea. The road adjacent to the railway and several houses have also been damaged, along with damage at Dawlish station itself and several other sites in the area.

Rail and concrete sleepers that once carried trains along the sea wall have been cut away and placed across the bottom of the damaged section. These are gradually being reinforced with sprayed fast-drying concrete, which will form a temporary barrier to take the brunt of today’s forecast heavy seas”
Read more

Concrete as resin drive base

(  tarmac as well ) is a real must to ensure longevity and suitability for the weight of a vehicle. In these currently trying times,  it pays to ensure good preparation and installation of a base  in the first place and certainly before resin bonded aggregate is used as  resurfacing.   Some of these surfaces, concrete, tarmac, imprinted concrete  have been in place for years without problem.   Wind rain storms  – non have had such an effect .  Here in Mansfield we suffered our own  mini tornado  as reported in the Mansfield Chad.

Concrete as resin drive base is an excellent  product.  Very often concrete is dismissed due to its lack of visual appeal, which is where our resin bonded resurfacing  can offer a solution.  Important to remember as well is the key need for a solid base for any vehicular access.  A base is not just as layer of concrete or tarmac, there is a lot of skill and knowledge when laying a driveway, path or patio.  If laid correctly it can last a lifetime.

In Nottingham the storm stopped the trains !  Driveways paths and patios are all subject to potential damage with the weather battering the uk.  So maintain what you have.  If you replace it,  it may not be as good as the original!

Based in  Mansfield Nottinghamshire.  We have completed anti slip  resin bonded resurfacing  in Skegby,  Aspley,   Bilsthorpe, Bulwell,  Clay Cross, Cotgrave,  Huthwaite,  Mansfield Woodhouse, New Houghton, Northampton, Pentrich,  Ravenshead, Sellers Wood, Shirebrook, Spalding,  Toton, Warsop, Worksop, Chesterfield.  Look no further and resurface what you already have.

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• Virtually maintenance free
• Eliminates weed growth
• Anti slip
• Can be completed in a day
• Uses existing surfaces such as concrete, imprinted concrete and  tarmac.   

The benefit of a resin driveway path or patio  cannot be said of block paving and imprinted concrete!

A recent report in the Mansfield Chad reported a problem with the installation of a block paved drive

Was this a concrete or tarmac drive we could have resurfaced?  We won’t know,  but what we do know is that our resin bonded resurfacing would not create a situation like this, as it doesn’t require the removal of the existing surface.

Part of the report was that this particular installer was deemed to be a rogue as the report states  “the driveways were often of a poor design with inadequate drainage and  foundations and used weak cement to hold the block paving together”  and one of the key important aspects of a driveway is to be able to take the weight of a vehicle.  Obviously if your requirement is for a path or a patio  it may not be as relevant but ensuring the right product for the right purpose is.

Preparation of the surface is key.

Laying block paving is an art and a skill.  Sub grade, kerbs, edge courses, bedding layer, paving layer and compaction are all points to be considered.

The report continued to say “He has so far spent £500 to improve drainage on the patio but both the driveway and patio will need to be ripped up and redone.

He said: “I feel I’ve been completely taken for a ride. I’m no fool as I was once a salesman and a magistrate but I was completely taken in by his pressurised sales techniques. He came across as a professional as he had all the right equipment and an official looking van. He added that he will now investigate traders and ask to see their work”

Work was also carried out  for their neighbour who paid £3,500 for a new tarmac drive which has had to be redone”.

If drainage is an issue we can address this. It does not always require removal of an existing surface to resolve this.  Concerns over the requirements of  planning permission we can help!  And don’t forget for patio areas  in some cases we can resurface slabs.

We have been completing resin drives for over 12 years, and can provide you with examples of our work in the East Midlands – Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire areas.  Selston, Hucknall, Newark, Mansfield, Nottingham, Derby, Ilkeston,. South Normanton, Tupton, Clipstone, Mansfield Woodhouse, Chesterfield, Kirkby in Ashfield.  Call us now to find a local job near you.  Call us now to see the benefit of a resin driveway path or patio near you.

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As reported in the chad recently

Tarmac is an excellent durable and well respected product.  however  the  Mansfield chad reports (and as Mark Wilson pointed  out in the Chad on the 3 April 2013  he counted 30 areas damaged by snow  in the immediate area) “Local authorities in England and Wales filled in more than two million potholes last year – a 29% increase on 2011, showed the report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA)”.

The ever changing climate and the extremes of weather we are experiencing are taking their toll.  Whilst roadways are subject to heavier traffic than a driveway path or patio, they are still subject to damage from the elements.

The report goes on to say

“The make-do-and-mend approach to potholes means most patches are simply opening up again and again as the weather veers from snow and ice to rain,” he said. “Last year’s pothole review suggested that councils need to put new techniques in place and share resources. But this is clearly not enough without guaranteed long-term funding. Such funding would allow a proper plan to be drawn up that targets those roads in the worst condition.”

This highlights the free thaw effect and the damage it can cause.  This is where Resin Bonded Stone can protect and prolong the life of your existing concrete, tarmac, imprinted concrete surface.  Whether it is concrete, tarmac, or imprinted concrete these solid monolithic surfaces provide good solid stable areas for your vehicle.  They are classed as reasonably maintenance free, but over a period of time degradation is bound to develop.  Remember weeds do not just grow up, if the surface is cracked or broken the seeds can fly in and bed in causing damage.

Resin Bonded Resurfacing is suitable for driveway, paths and patios and in some cases slabs

• Non porous – preventing the ingress of water
• durable- hard wearing anti slid road use based
• protective- will prevent deterioration further
• anti slip – slips trips and falls
• weed free – if water can’t get down weeds can’t get through
• Uses existing surfaces – concrete and tarmac solid  and monolithic

Just because you driveway path or patio looks damaged does not been it has to be removed.  We provide free no obligation quotes.  If we cannot help we know a man who can.

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Old and tired and damaged by the weather

The Ilkeston Advertiser a Derbyshire paper reported this week that

“More than £800,000 is to be spent on tackling Derbyshire’s pothole problem. The repairs were due to begin on Monday and were announced by the Conservative-led county council. The authority said it had received more than 1,000 calls a week about the state of roads. The situation has been made worse by cold, wet weather in recent weeks. The money includes a £300,000 emergency fund, from council reserves, to be spent in the next three weeks. The authority said the backlog of unrepaired potholes was growing even though in recent weeks it had hired 10 extra road repair teams. The emergency fund will be spent on hiring more contractors to try to clear the backlog.

The council is also purchasing a £50,000 high-pressure road repair machine. Workmen will use that to blast water and debris out of potholes before filling them with asphalt.

The council will receive a further £500,000 from the Government in April to spend on pothole repairs in the next financial year”

This is what can happen to your tarmac  driveway path or patio.  Because tarmac does have a certain amount of porosity this is an ongoing problem and once the deterioration starts  it only gets worse. Unless sorted.   Add to this weed growth and damage from oil spillage or just general wear and tear on a driveway, path or patio and problems can escalate.

NCC  reported on this some time ago as the ever changing weather has an effect.

Resin Bonded Gravel  provides an impermeable surface and one that is anti slip and it can protect your tarmac driveway.  This can also prevent the ingress of water and prevent further deterioration.  Designed to use existing surfaces such as tarmac, concrete,  imprinted concrete and in some cases block paving .  If they are structurally sound why have them removed?

Due to our location in the East Midlands we can  cover a 60 mile radius from our base  – Darley Dale, Huthwaite, Dronfield,Alfreton Long Eaton.  It’s free to talk and quote.

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Don’t move!  Improve!  Wait until the financial climate improves and the housing boom returns ( if it ever does).

Create kerb appeal by resurfacing the concrete, tarmac, imprinted concrete or slabs

Home and Garden  improvements can benefit your property

According http://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/latest-news/41-of-homes-sold-for-a-loss-since-2007/1066704.article   over 130,000 families have sold their home at a loss since 2007, representing 41 per cent of transactions in England and Wales, according Government figures.

Why give  money away?   Why give money  to the solicitors, banks or  estate agents?   (who may well run away with your money – Mansfield Chad

Why not stick with what you have -safe in the knowledge  of  your  home and all of its little foibles

Obviously not all aspects of your home will be exactly how you want them. But do you really need to move?  Can you not modify? Develop? Make it an on-going project.

Would it not be more  economical  to make what you have better  and/ or more suitable.

There are so many options out there.  New and innovative for both home and garden

There are so many local businesses who need local support from local people.

The internet gives you a wide choice of ideas  – consider a garage or loft conversation?  A kitchen  refit?  A garden make over?  A conservatory?  A new patio? Resurface your patio?

It is not always going to be an option for everybody but it should certainly be a major consideration for a lot of us.

You may not like the busy road you are on. But it is your busy road.  The grass is always greener on the other side (that is until you get there!)

Balance what you know about your house, your driveway, your garden, your neighbours, your central heating system? Which way the sun hits your property?  How expensive it is to heat?

Considering downsizing?  Can you spend the potential  cost incurred  on moving,  on your home.  Perhaps put those  additional rooms to some benefit  – rent out a room, use it as a home office? Take up painting?

In this current climate perhaps we all need to take stock and change with the times.

Floods are a major issue in areas that have never had an issue before – why? Is it the climate? Is it the hard landscaping  – driveways paths and patios?  Is it just a fact of life that things change?

http://nationalfloodforum.org.uk/  if you move could you be susceptible to flooding?

Improve don’t move!

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• Garden Rubbish can we as householders burn it?
• Are you in a Smoke Control area?
• Do you know what a Smoke Control Area is?
• How do you find if you are in a Smoke Control Area?
• What does it mean?
• What is  Garden Rubbish

Mansfield District Council  don’t actually say if you can or can’t with regard to Domestic and Garden Bonfires.  What they do say is that it can be a hindrance, nuisance and can spoil the enjoyment of others.  They do say  though that there is no permitted time for having bonfires.

They advise against burning garden rubbish and legal action can be taken in Magistrates Court if a smoke nuisance is caused.  They also say that Mansfield District Council  Cleansing Section can be contacted to arrange for garden waste to be removed.

The whole of Mansfield District is a Smoke Control Area.  What does this mean – it means simplistically that  it is against the law for any smoke to be emitted from the chimney of a building (including greenhouses and sheds).

That asside it may be brought into question what is classed as Garden Rubbish?

I was reading back through an old Mansfield Chad report  and the difficulties a gentleman had on disposing of his garden waste at a Council recycling centre.  One of the points raised was about the quantity of garden waste and the chad reported

“We advise residents who are carrying out home or garden renovations which are likely to produce a lot of waste to hire a skip or dispose of the waste at trade waste sites that are located around the county where they can use vans and  trailers –– under current legislation, waste created by home and garden improvements is classed as trade not household waste”

The defra website  known as the Department for Environment Food and Rural Areas says

“Local Authorities are responsible for designation and supervision of Smoke Control Areas.  Smoke control areas have been introduced in many large towns and cities in the UK (including virtually all of London) and in large parts of the Midlands, North West, South Yorkshire, North East of England, Central and Southern Scotland.  Please note that it is not possible for Defra to provide information relating to whether a property is located inside a smoke control area.

To be certain if you are or are not located in a smoke control area it is recommended that you contact the Environmental Health or Protection department of your Local Authority.  Contact details for your Local Authority can be found here:  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Localcouncils/index.htm“

Find the contact details and website for your local council via local direct gov website

http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/locations.php

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Mansfield  people are not very often subject to landslides!   Seeing the report in the  Mansfield Chad came as a bit of a shock.

The report states that 7 tonnes of rock fell just yards from a row of homes!

Mansfield District Council has employed a ground engineering firm Halcrow -to survey the area.

Evidently when the Mansfield properties  were built the builders made sure there was a buffer zone in place.

Martin Thurman of Mansfield District Council  has requested a detailed study which hopefully will allay any fears.   Depending on the result,  they can then take any necessary course of action.

What does concern us is not just for Mansfield area,  but the Country as a whole.

The construction of these  quarry properties –  as  with any “changes” in the land –   surely will have an impact on surrounding areas?

As a driveway company we are respectful of the requirements with hard landscaping areas being laid (which is one of the reasons  we work with Resin Bonded Stone – it uses the existing surface)

However you would think that the “installation” of  hundreds of properties (and there are in the area where this Mansfield landslide happened) that this would have a more detrimental impact than driveway installations.

That asside Martin Thurman of Mansfield District Council has said “We’ve received a mixed reaction from residents because there are whose who live at the Cliff top and those who live at the bottom”.

Mansfield seems to be becoming a vastly dense area with housing dominating large previously  untouched land.

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