Can You Overlay Resin on Your Old Concrete Driveway?
The short answer to the big question is: Yes, you absolutely can.
In fact, many of the most successful resin projects we complete are overlays. However, it isn’t quite as simple as just pouring resin over the top and hoping for the best.
At Base Driveways, we believe in being honest with our clients. While an overlay can save you thousands in excavation costs, it only works if your current driveway is up to the task.
If you are looking to upgrade your driveways in Kent, here is everything you need to know to decide if an overlay is the right move for your home.
The Golden Rule of Resin Overlays A resin surface is only as strong as the base it sits on because resin is a flexible material; it will eventually follow the movement of whatever is underneath it.
If your concrete is sound, meaning it is solid, hasn’t moved in years, and has no major structural cracks, it acts as a perfect, rock-solid foundation. In this case, overlaying is a brilliant, cost-effective way to get a premium look without the mess of a full dig-out.
When Should You Avoid an Overlay?
We will always be the first to tell you if an overlay is a bad idea.
You should think twice if your concrete has:
- Large, Active Cracks: If a crack is wide enough to fit a 50p piece, it usually means the ground underneath is moving. If we lay resin over that, the crack will eventually reflect through to the new surface.
- Sinking or Stepped Sections: If one slab of concrete is higher than the one next to it, the base is unstable.
- Poor Drainage: Concrete is non-porous. If your drive already turns into a lake when it rains, adding resin won’t fix that unless we install new drainage channels at the same time.
Preparation is the Secret Sauce
We don’t just turn up and start pouring.
First, we treat the concrete to ensure that the new surface bonds well. This involves a thorough mechanical clean, removing the oil and moss, and then applying a specialised primer. This primer forms a chemical bond that bonds the resin to the concrete. It’s particularly important for resin bonded driveways in Kent, as the stone needs to be perfectly gripped to stay in place for years to come.
Want to Know If Your Concrete is Ready?
The best way to be 100% sure is to have a professional look at it. We offer a free site survey where we check the levels, the fall for drainage, and the overall strength of your concrete.
Give us a call today, and let’s see if we can transform your old concrete into a stunning new entrance!
