Tarmac Driveways Kent: Can you resurface a sunken driveway?
Sometimes you can lift a sunken driveway, but only if the ground it’s sitting on is still sound. New tarmac will take the shape of whatever is underneath it. If the ground has moved, then the new tarmac will move with it.
At Base Driveways we’ve been doing driveways all over Kent for over 20 years. A lot of the homeowners we come across who have tarmac driveways in Kent will ask us the same question: will adding a new layer of tarmac fix their dip, or are they just about to pay for another surface that fails? Here is your answer.
Signs of surface wear
- Fine hairline cracks
- Faded or greying colour
- Loose stone on the surface
- Small, shallow potholes with firm ground around them
Signs of a failing sub-base
- Dips where water stays long after the rain stops
- Wheel tracks pressed into the surface
- Cracks that form a crazed, web-like pattern
- Edges that crumble or break away
A shallow, even gap is often indicative of wear. A deep gap or one that is increasing in size is a sign that the ground below has moved.
Block Paved Driveways in Kent: A Replacement Worth Comparing
If your drive does require a full rebuild, you can go for a different surface. Block paved driveways in Kent have a huge range of colours and patterns available. It’s a block surface, so if there’s any subsequent settlement, you can simply lift and re-lay a small area. Tarmac, on the other hand, gives you a smooth, continuous finish.
We do block paved driveways as well as tarmac, so we can certainly go through both options with you. The option that is right for you will be down to your budget, the size of your drive and the look you’re after.
Common Questions
Can you lay new tarmac over a sunken driveway?
You can when the dip comes from surface wear and the base is firm. You should not when the base has moved, as the new layer will sink with it.
Is it worth switching to block paving?
It can be (especially if your drive is due for a rebuild anyway). We can compare both surfaces for your property as part of the survey.
Don’t pay for a resurfacing job that may not last. Get your free site survey and quotation from Base Driveways by filling in the quotation form on our website, and we’ll let you know what your tarmac driveway requires.
