How to Maintain a Resin Bound Driveway

At Tidey & Webb, we regularly lay a variety of different surfaces for both residential surfacing and commercial surfacing projects. Driveways in particular are often top of the list of requirements and over the years, we have seen more and more people opt for resin bound driveways as their solution. Durable, permeable, slip resistant and importantly for many, both easy to maintain and simple to install.

In this month’s edition of our blog, we look at how easy it is to maintain a resin-bound driveway so that once you have yours installed, you can keep it in its best possible condition and help to extend its lifespan.

What is a resin bound driveway?

If you are currently investigating the options for a new driveway surface and have been unsure of the best surface type for your home, it is always worth carrying out some research first. Certain materials lend themselves to certain grounds better than others. Factor in the weather in the area you reside in and the likely uses your surface is going to have and soon, you notice your choices may change significantly.

A resin bound driveway is a durable surface that can come in a mixture of colours. With a flat surface, it works perfectly for low-traffic areas like a driveway and exhibits excellent qualities that make it desirable for many. Long-lasting, weed-resistant, frost-resistant and permeable, resin bound driveways are an easy choice for many looking for a Sussex surfacing solution.

Made by mixing aggregates with resin, the combined mixture is then carefully trowelled onto the desired driveway space.

General maintenance for a resin bound driveway

The maintenance of a resin bound driveway is relatively straightforward. In fact, there isn’t a great deal to do to keep it clean.

Often, a simple sweep and jet wash are all you need. That being said, should certain chemicals or substances make contact with the driveway, you will need to act fast to prevent any lasting damage from being caused.

In terms of general preventative maintenance though, removing leaves, sand, soil, and general dirt can all be achieved through sweeping with a stiff brush and then hosing down with clean water. It is best to act fast though as staining can occur if these bits of debris are left for too long. Stick with cold water and where stains are left, a pressure washer will help finish the job.

When applying water, it should be done from a minimum height of 20cm.

Removing weeds from a resin bound driveway

Resin bound driveways are weed resistant and upon the laying of the driveway, a suitable weed killer would have been applied to stop things from sprouting. However, seeds dropped by birds, seeds carried by the wind and perhaps spilt in transit can start to grow if not removed right away. Luckily, the removal of them is simple enough. Simply remove it by hand ensuring any root is removed too. If you are unable to remove the root, you can use a low-strength weed killer to help finish the job. If you only have a high-strength product, it must be watered down before applying as otherwise, you could cause long-lasting discolouration to the surface.

Removing brake fluid from resin bound driveways

Brake fluid can be extremely damaging to your resin bound driveway. It is a very corrosive substance and if spilt will cause more damage to your driveway than other chemicals that may leak from your car. Apply warm water as soon as you notice it and you should not have any problems.

Removing oil or fuel spills from a resin bound driveway

Less damaging than brake fluid, you will find that both oil or petrol spills can be cleaned quite easily from a resin bound driveway. As with any of the debris we have mentioned so far, the quicker it is treated, the less damage you will have to deal with. Warm soapy water should remove any trace of oil or fuel but in some instances, you may need a degreaser to make sure it is fully removed. Before proceeding with that though, it may be best to test a small area that isn’t seen so you can see whether it will stain.

Snow and ice on resin bound driveways

Resin bound driveways from Tidey & Webb are built with a SUD (sustainable urban drainage) system in mind. This means any water should pass through it without causing you too many problems but should temperatures drop low enough, this water may freeze. To prevent this you can lay salt or sand without causing your driveway any damage. Once the cold weather passes, you can use a hose to remove any salt or sand debris.

Should snow fall, use a plastic shovel to remove it, a metal shovel could cause damage to your driveway.

Tyre marks on a resin bound driveway

Tyre marks can be common on any driveway type but resin bound driveways can suffer from them more frequently if drivers are a little careless. Dry steering, where the wheel is turned whilst the car is stationary, is likely to leave tyre marks and with the action being constantly repeated could see the surface damaged with the aggregate being crushed and coming away from the driveway.

Tyre marks are best cleaned off with white spirit, an emulsifier and a pressure washer.

Further protection for resin bound driveways

Resin bound driveways are great to look at and provide your home with a fantastic addition to your kerb appeal. They can damage easily though through carelessness. They are designed with light traffic in mind so heavy vehicles, skips or other large items should never be used on them. Furthermore, tools, gardening equipment and car maintenance accessories should all be carried with care when on a resin bound driveway. If they were dropped or dragged, they could cause permanent damage to your driveway.

You should also look at how you look after your car on the driveway to prevent or at least lessen the chance of damage. If you need to do maintenance on your vehicle, it is recommended that the car is put onto wooden planks to help the load be spread.

Finally, if the surface has only recently been installed, you should wait until it is set before anything at all touches it.

If a new driveway is high on the agenda, speak to the Sussex and Surrey surfacing specialists Tidey & Webb. With many years of experience throughout our team, we can assist with any surfacing project no matter how big or small. Contact us to find out more and get a free surfacing quote today!