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.

The tyres will always be on the same two areas. It is constructed by using multiple layers of materials. The blocks and joint sand are on top of the bedding layer, which is then on top of the compacted sub-base; this is then on top of the natural ground. This transfers the load across each layer.

How to determine if it is loose blocks or failed sub base

Using a straight edge (long spirit level), you can identify:

Loose blocks: Individual blocks will be loose, rocking or raised with no jointing sand. The depression is very small and patchy.

Edge/kerb: Edge restraints have gaps or are moving, causing the base to spread.

Water: Puddles will form in depressions, showing how deep the depression is. Can also indicate a drainage problem.

Blocks that are moving indicate a surface issue. If a few blocks are all sinking together, then there is likely a fundamental issue.

When to lift and relay

Lifting and relaying is used when the base is still solid. Usually this is because the depression is small and localised. Or there has been a loss of bedding sand or poor jointing. The contractor will lift the blocks, check the base, re-bed the area and then relay the same blocks. New jointing sand will be brushed into the joints and the surface will be compacted.

When to excavate and rebuild

If your base has failed, it makes sense to rebuild. Signs of a failed base would be deep depressions, previous repairs that have recurred, or a spongy surface. Once the blocks have been lifted, the contractor may find that there is a very thin sub-base or soft ground.

They will remove the blocks from the area and excavate the failed material. They will then rebuild the sub-base using compacted layers. New bedding will be added, and the blocks will be replaced. Only the affected area will be repaired, meaning the rest of your drive remains untouched. Although this will cost more to start with, it will fix the root cause, and you won’t be paying twice for the same repair.

Contact a local specialist in block paving in Kent to check the base.

Here is our honest take on whether they make sense for your home.

1.     Modern Looks with Fewer Joint Lines

A clear advantage of using a 900×600 slab would be its smooth finish. This is due to the fact that each slab covers more ground, thus reducing the number of grout lines in your design. This leads to a smooth floor finish and gives small to medium gardens a larger appearance and feels much more open.

2.     Built for Unpredictable British Weather

Porcelain does not absorb water. This is different from natural sandstone, which remains porous and may crack upon coming into contact with frost during winter seasons. Porcelain can withstand the wet weather that is characteristic of Britain. It naturally repels green moss, algae, and dirt; thus, your patio won’t become a slippery skating rink during autumn and winter.

3.     What About the Higher Cost?

Larger porcelain tiles definitely cost more money upfront. They cost more to buy due to the materials used, and they require professional installation. Since 900×600 tiles are not porous at all, they cannot be installed by just dropping them on top of a sand bed. At Base Driveways, we install all our porcelain slabs using a wet mortar bed with a slurry priming bond on the back to ensure a rock-solid, permanent lock.

While the initial price is slightly higher than standard slabs, you save significant time and money on maintenance. You will not spend every spring re-sealing porous stone or scrubbing away stubborn weeds that sprout through dozens of grout lines.

4.     Added Property Value

A well-installed, large-format porcelain garden patio acts as an outdoor living room. It instantly boosts kerb appeal and elevates your garden aesthetic, giving prospective buyers a premium impression. If you are already planning a broader front garden revamp or laying down a block paving driveway in Kent, combining it with a matching large-format patio ties your entire property together.

Final Verdict

If you want a durable, low-maintenance garden space that looks incredible for decades, 900×600 porcelain slabs are worth every penny.

Thinking about upgrading your patio or outdoor space this season? Get in touch with our expert team at Base Driveways today for free advice and a clear, no-obligation quotation!

Can you salt a resin driveway? The short answer is yes, but using the wrong type of salt or method can cause real long-term issues. Here is how to keep your driveway ice-free without ruining its finish.

The Problem with Standard Rock Salt

Standard grit salt has iron contaminants and is made from uncleaned sand. The iron particles melt within the pores and oxidise when sprinkled on the resin layer, thus leaving rust marks all over your stone. In addition, the gritty nature of the salt causes scratches on your stone, dulling the glossy finish.

Instead, always opt for pure white de-icing salt. It melts ice quickly and dissolves cleanly without leaving rusty spots or gritty residue behind.

Safe Ways to De-Ice Your Resin Driveway

• Use White De-Icing Salt: It works down to sub-zero temperatures and leaves no iron staining.
• Choose a Plastic Shovel: Metal shovels with a sharp blade made of steel may scratch the resin surface or cut into edges. A hard plastic or rubber shovel will safely remove snow.
• Keep Drainage Clear: Resin-bound surfaces are naturally permeable, allowing water to drain away. Sweep off fallen autumn leaves before the first freeze so water does not get trapped on top and turn into ice.
• Rinse in Spring: Once the cold spell passes, give your surface a gentle wash with clean water to rinse away any lingering salt deposits.

Protecting Your Surface Long-Term

A high-quality resin surface bound with UV-stable polyurethane is tough, durable, and naturally frost-resistant. Because water drains through the permeable aggregate rather than pooling on top, resin actually forms less ice than traditional concrete or asphalt.

However, prevention is always better than cure. Taking a few simple precautions during the coldest months ensures your driveway stays in top condition year after year. If you are considering upgrading your front garden or looking at new driveways in Kent, starting with a professionally laid permeable base makes winter maintenance far easier.

Want to make sure your resin driveway is winter-ready, or thinking about a fresh installation? Get in touch with our expert team at Base Driveways today for friendly advice and a free, no-obligation quote!

If you have installed resin bonded driveways in Kent, you might be wondering whether those decomposing leaves are going to leave permanent marks on your stone. Here is the straight-talking truth on how autumn leaf fall affects your surface, and how to keep it looking spot-on year-round.

Do Leaves Actually Stain Resin Surfacing?

The short answer is yes, if they are left to rot over extended periods.

Fallen leaves from oak, beech, and chestnut trees contain natural organic compounds known as tannins. When wet leaves get crushed under car tyres or left sitting in damp, shaded corners, those tannins gradually leach out into the surrounding stone matrix.

The good news is that the polyurethane resin used to bind your aggregate is incredibly resistant. While concrete and block paving are porous and absorb chemicals deeply, the resin-bonded surface is not. Therefore, when you have leaf staining, all of the stain will be sitting just on the top layer of your surface. They can be cleaned off without permanent damage.

Simple Ways to Tackle Autumn Leaf Fall

You don’t need to spend hours obsessing over every single leaf that drops from a branch, but establishing a quick autumn maintenance routine will save you significant cleaning time later on.

• Clear leaves weekly: Use a stiff-bristled broom or an outdoor leaf blower to sweep away damp leaf piles before they decompose into organic sludge.
• Wash away light tannin marks: If you notice brownish leaf outlines after sweeping, a bucket of warm water mixed with household washing-up liquid and a quick scrub using a soft brush usually lifts them right out.
• Jet-wash with care: For stubborn, dried-on spots, a low-pressure jet-wash held around 20cm away from the surface will clear dirty buildup easily without disturbing the bonded stone aggregate.

Preventing leaf decay doesn’t just protect your driveway—it keeps matching outdoor features like garden walkways and patios in Kent completely slip-free throughout the wet winter months, too.

Ready to Upgrade Your Home’s Exterior?

At Base Driveways, we lay resin bonded surfaces using high-grade, UV-stable resins designed to handle everything the South East weather throws at them.

Thinking about upgrading your driveway or patio before winter sets in? Contact the Base Driveways team today for friendly expert advice and a free, no-obligation quote.

In 2008, planning legislation was amended to deal with flash floods that were created due to hardstanding front gardens. Called the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Regulations, these rules determine whether you need full planning permission or whether it comes under Permitted Development.

At Base Driveways, we get asked about council approval almost daily. Here is the straight-talking breakdown of what you need to know before laying a single block.

The 5-Square-Metre Rule

The rules apply to front gardens being surfaced with hard standing. The trigger for planning permission comes down to two things: size and water runoff.

• Under 5 Square Metres: If your new paved area is under 5m² (roughly the size of a standard parking bay), you do not need planning permission. You can use any paving material you like.
• Over 5 Square Metres: If your driveway exceeds 5m², you must ensure rain can drain naturally into the ground on your property. If water runs off directly into the public highway or council storm drains, you will need to apply for planning permission.

How to Stay Legal Without Planning Permission

You can easily bypass the hassle and expense of a planning application by choosing the right installation method.

1.   Permeable Block Paving

These blocks look identical to standard paving, but they feature slightly wider nibs on the edges. Combined with a coarse aggregate sub-base, rain drains directly through the gaps between the blocks into the ground below.

2.   Standard Blocks with a Soakaway

If you do not want permeable blocks or paving slabs in Kent, you do not have to worry about planning permission either. All that your contractor has to do is ensure that the gradient of the drive leads to either a lawn, flowerbed or an ACO drainage channel into a soakaway under the ground on your property.

Need Help Getting It Right?

Navigating council rules shouldn’t delay your project. Whether you are replacing old tarmac or upgrading to fresh block paving, Base Driveways designs every installation to be fully SuDS-compliant from day one.

Want to discuss your front garden design or double-check your drainage options? Get in touch with the Base Driveways team today for a free, no-obligation site survey.

At Base Driveways, we want your investment to look as fresh as the day we laid it. Here are five easy late-summer maintenance tips every Kent homeowner should follow.

1. Clear Fallen Berries, Seeds, and Organic Debris Early

Late summer is peak season for dropping tree sap, berries, and pollen. When crushed under foot or car tyres, these organic materials release natural tannins that can leave stubborn surface marks. Give your driveway a quick sweep with a stiff-bristled broom once a week to pop seeds and berries into the green bin before they stain.

2. Power Wash Away Summer Dust and Barbecue Spills

Entertaining during the summer season tends to result in grease drippings from grills in the garden and sticky spillages from soda drinks. A jet wash is effective; however, ensure that the spray nozzle is at least 30 cm from the surface and operate the fan-spray option and not the concentrated spray point. Using an environmentally friendly detergent with warm water does the trick easily without damaging the polyurethane binder.

3. Tackle Surface Weeds Before Seeds Settle

Although the resin bound surface prevents the growth of root systems from below the sub-base layer, the seeds that blow in on the wind will still find their way to the top surface. Remove any weeds that appear by pulling them up when they are small. If you need to, use a water-based weed killer.

4. Keep Standing Water Off Surrounding Borders

Check that your garden drainage channels and edge stones are clear of mulch or gravel. Keeping water flowing freely prevents algae from forming during sudden August thunderstorms. The same rules apply if you are maintaining a matching stone patio in Sittingbourne because clean drainage gaps prevent moss from creeping onto stone borders.

5. Avoid Dry Steering During Hot Afternoons

When temperatures soar, tyres get soft and sticky. Avoid turning your steering wheel while your vehicle is completely stationary on hot resin or tarmac, as this creates heavy friction that grinds down fine surface aggregates over time.

Does your front door area need some sprucing up, or do you have plans for an outdoor revamp before winter sets in? Please contact Base Driveways.

The short answer? A correctly installed surface will not budge, but older or poorly laid tarmac driveways in Kent can easily suffer from point-load indentation.

Why Electric Cars Put Driveways to the Test

It all boils down to the distribution of weight and heat. The batteries used in electric vehicles weigh a lot more than those in petrol or diesel cars. If you park your bulky car in the same place every day, then its weight is exerted on four tiny patches of tires.

• Hot Summer Bitumen: Asphalt relies on a flexible bitumen binder. On hot summer afternoons, the surface naturally softens slightly.
• Power Steering Twists: Turning your wheels while stationary acts like a drill against soft asphalt, grinding down the fine top aggregates.
• Continuous Point Loading: Leaving a 2.5-tonne car stationary on a hot surface overnight creates localized pressure points that push weaker sub-bases out of position.

The Secret Lies Beneath the Surface

The tarmac surface itself is only as good as that which lies underneath. With our installation of smooth asphalt surfaces throughout Sittingbourne and the surrounding area, the wearing course is, in fact, only the topmost surface.

Should the installer cut corners and provide insufficient sub-base material, using little Type 1 MOT aggregate and not compacting it with powerful machinery, then the added weight of the battery will squeeze the soil beneath the surface. This results in areas of depression, rutting, and pooling water. However, at Base Driveways, we dig to the appropriate depth, put down geotextile membranes, and lay down robust sub-bases made out of crushed stone so that your driveway can handle modern EV loads without sinking.

Smart Ways to Protect Your Driveway

If you already drive an electric car or plan to upgrade soon, a few simple habits will keep your entrance looking pristine:

1. Avoid dry steering (turning your steering wheel while the car is completely stopped).
2. Park slightly offset every few days during summer heatwaves so tires do not press into the exact same grooves.
3. Consider integrated border aprons. Pairing smooth asphalt with sturdy block paving driveways in Kent around your home’s charging point gives you an extra edge of strength where cables and heavy tires meet.

Are you worried your current driveway cannot handle your new EV? At Base Driveways, we provide a free, no-obligation site survey & quotation to assess your sub-base and drainage. Contact our friendly team today.

If you are currently looking at options for resin bonded driveways in Kent, you are likely focused on finding a finish that looks sharp and completely transforms your kerb appeal. However, the unique texture of a resin bonded surface comes with a fantastic hidden safety feature that most homeowners completely overlook.

The Return of the Defensive Crunch

For decades, traditional loose gravel was the golden standard for home security. Intruders hate it because it is impossible to walk or drive on silently; that classic, loud crunching sound instantly alerts you or your dogs that someone is approaching. The trouble is, loose stone is incredibly messy, migrating onto your lawn and scattering into the road.

A resin bonded surface gives you the absolute best of both worlds. Unlike a completely smooth resin-bound system, a bonded drive is created by scattering natural aggregate directly onto a wet resin layer. Because the stones sit proudly on top of the film rather than being completely buried within it, they retain their natural, textured, three-dimensional shape. When tyres roll over it, it still produces a distinct, audible tyre noise that lets you know a vehicle has pulled up; all without a single loose pebble escaping.

High Visibility, Better Peace of Mind

Because the stones are fixed firmly in place, it also allows you to choose lighter, premium aggregate blends like golden quartz or silver granite. These lighter colours reflect ambient street lighting and porch lights beautifully at night. A bright, well-lit entrance leaves zero dark corners for anyone to hide in, making your entire home look occupied and secure.

Protect Your Home with a Premium Finish

At Base Driveways, we believe your front entrance should look beautiful, last for years, and make you feel entirely safe in your own home. We have installed high-quality resin driveways in Sittingbourne and the surrounding areas for years, helping local families find the perfect balance between premium style and everyday practicality.

If you are ready to upgrade your front garden, give the friendly team at Base Driveways a call today for a completely free, no-obligation chat and quote.

We often speak with local homeowners who are torn between sticking with a traditional block paving driveway in Kent or upgrading to a modern resin finish, but they are genuinely worried that resin will be far too slippery on an incline.

It is a brilliant question, and the short answer is: no, it isn’t slippery at all, provided it is installed correctly.

The Secret is in the Friction

The main reason people worry is that finished resin-bound stone looks sleek, smooth, and seamless. But looks can be incredibly deceiving. While it doesn’t have the bumpy ridges of block paving, the surface itself is made from thousands of tiny, natural stones that inherently provide a textured grip.

To make absolutely sure your sloped driveway is completely safe, we don’t just leave it at that. During the final stage of installation, while the resin is still curing, our team explicitly broadcasts a fine, specialised anti-slip crushed quartz or glass grit over the entire surface. This clear aggregate embeds into the top layer, creating an invisible, high-friction sandpaper texture that gives car tyres and shoes an incredible amount of traction.

No Standing Water Means No Sheet Ice

Slopes are prone to water runoff, and with traditional solid surfaces, that water can pool at the bottom or freeze into dangerous sheets of black ice during freezing winter mornings. Because resin-bound gravel is entirely permeable, rainwater doesn’t sit on top. It drains straight through the surface into the sub-base below. This rapid drainage drastically reduces the chance of ice patches forming on your slope.

Get a Safe, Stunning Finish for Your Sloped Home

You don’t have to compromise on style just because your property is built on a hill. If you want to transform your sloped entrance into a safe, durable, and beautiful feature, we can help. We’ve laid countless successful resin driveways in Kent on all sorts of tricky inclines. Give the friendly team at Base Driveways a call today, and we’ll be happy to drop by, assess your slope, and give you a completely free, honest quote.