Guildford Resin Driveways

Resin bound over tarmac

A sound, well-laid tarmac drive is often the most cost-effective base for resin bound. The overlay depends entirely on the tarmac being stable, so soft spots, potholes, oil damage and poor falls need sorting first.

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In short: resin bound can go over tarmac that is firm, stable, free of potholes and oil saturation, and laid to falls. Dense tarmac does not drain to ground, so water must run to a lawn, border, channel or soakaway. Porous or permeable macadam is the base installers use when they want the whole drive to be permeable.

Signs your tarmac can take an overlay

  • Firm underfoot and under a car, with no rutting or soft patches
  • Surface intact, without widespread crazing or loose stones
  • No oil-saturated areas (oil softens tarmac and can stop resin bonding)
  • Falls away from the house to somewhere water can go
  • Enough height at doors and the damp-proof course for the added layer

Preparation an installer should describe

  1. Clean thoroughly and treat any moss and weeds.
  2. Cut out and reinstate potholes and failed patches.
  3. Treat or isolate oil-damaged areas.
  4. Fit firm edge restraint where the tarmac edge is weak or crumbling.
  5. Prime if the resin system requires it.

Drainage and planning

Dense tarmac is impermeable. Water drains through the resin, then over the tarmac, following its falls. If the drive is in a front garden, over 5 m² and drains onto the road, the replacement surface needs planning permission under the 2008 rules unless the water is directed to a permeable area on your property. Porous macadam is a different material designed to let water through, used as the binder course in permeable build-ups. See permeable resin driveways.

Frequently asked questions

My tarmac has a few potholes. Can it still be overlaid?

Small, isolated defects can usually be cut out and reinstated. If there are many potholes, cracking across the surface or soft areas that dip under a car, the base has likely failed and needs replacing.

Does new tarmac need time before resin goes on?

Yes. One manufacturer's guide says macadam should be at least seven days old before resin is laid. Ask your installer what their system requires.

Will the drive be higher afterwards?

By the depth of the resin layer, typically around 18 mm for driveways. Check thresholds, garage doors and the damp-proof course before work starts.

Related guides

Resin over concrete

When an existing concrete drive is a good base, and the cracks, joints and drainage issues to check.

Driveway resurfacing

Overlay or full rebuild? How to tell which your drive needs, and what each involves.

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