Resin
Can a resin driveway be laid over existing tarmac or concrete?
It's a fair question. If you've already got a tarmac or concrete drive, why dig it all out? In some cases you don't need to. Resin can be laid over an existing hard surface, and it can save time, mess and money.
But resin only copies what's underneath it. If the old drive is cracked or sinking, those problems come straight through. Here's how we decide.
When going over tarmac works
Tarmac can make a good base for resin if it's solid, reasonably flat and draining properly. We look for:
- No soft spots or dips where the car parks
- No wide or spreading cracks
- Edges that are firm, not crumbling
- Levels that leave enough height under the damp-proof course and at the door
Worn tarmac that's just tired and grey but still solid is often a good candidate.
When going over concrete works
Concrete can work too, as long as it's not cracked up or moving. Concrete drives usually have joints between the slabs. These move slightly with temperature, so they need treating properly or they'll show through as a crack in the resin. A good installer will tell you how they're dealing with them.
When it doesn't
- Cracks that keep getting wider, or a crazy-paving pattern of cracks
- Sinking, ruts or puddles
- Old block paving or flags (these move too much on their own to go over)
- Gravel or loose surfaces
- Not enough height left at the door or against the house
In those cases the old surface needs to come out and a proper base goes in. Our groundwork guide explains what that involves.
What about drainage and planning?
Resin-bound is permeable, but if it's laid over tarmac or concrete, the water can't soak through what's underneath. So it needs to run off somewhere sensible, like a lawn, border or channel drain. On a front garden this can affect whether you need planning permission. See our planning permission guide for the general rules.
Be wary of cheap overlays
Laying resin over a bad base is one of the main reasons resin drives crack early. A very low price often means the old surface is being covered up rather than fixed. Ask any installer what they're laying on and why.
We'll tell you which it is
We'll come out, check the existing drive and tell you honestly if it's fit to go over or needs to come up. Call 0161 825 8053 or WhatsApp 07519 945 497 to book a free survey and quote anywhere in Stockport or Greater Manchester.
