Common Types of Tarmac Damage Reigate
When properly installed, tarmac and asphalt surfaces can deliver decades of reliable performance; however, minor installation defects—including inadequate edging in critical areas, diesel spillage, or poor compaction—can result in uneven surfaces, depressions, and material breakdown on your Reigate driveway.
Prior to commencing any repair work in Reigate, our tarmac contractors thoroughly evaluate the underlying cause of the damage. The most frequently encountered problems include:
- Surface cracking resulting from weather exposure or ground settlement
- Potholes developing from water penetration and freeze-thaw action
- Edge breakdown where tarmac borders grass or gravel surfaces
- Sunken areas caused by inadequate sub-base preparation or excessive loading
- Surface ravelling occurring when the bitumen binder deteriorates
How We Repair The Tarmac / Asphalt
Initial Assessment
Our process begins with a thorough inspection of the damaged area to establish whether a localised patch repair is adequate or if resurfacing a larger section is necessary. Isolated defects in small areas typically respond well to patching, while extensive cracking or numerous potholes across multiple areas usually suggest that complete resurfacing offers better value over time.
Preparation Work
Thorough preparation forms the foundation of any durable repair. Using a disc cutter, we remove the damaged section with precise, vertical cuts to establish clean edges. This technique ensures the repair material integrates properly rather than merely overlaying compromised tarmac. When addressing potholes, we extract all unstable material and inspect the underlying sub-base. Should the sub-base prove inadequate, we excavate deeper, install and compact fresh aggregate material before applying any tarmac surface.
Applying the Repair Material
Our repairs utilize hot bitumen tarmac as the preferred material due to its superior bonding characteristics compared to cold-lay alternatives. Before placement, we apply a tack coat of bitumen emulsion to the repair area, promoting strong adhesion between new and existing surfaces. The tarmac is then installed in successive layers, with each layer receiving thorough compaction using either vibrating plate equipment or rollers, selected according to the repair area dimensions.
Finishing and Compaction
The final surface undergoes rolling to achieve a level and finish consistent with the surrounding area. We intentionally overfill the repair slightly during initial placement, accounting for material settlement during the compaction process. Special attention is devoted to edge areas—achieving proper compaction along these zones is critical to preventing future edge failure.
When to Consider Full Resurfacing
When your tarmac exhibits damage across multiple areas or the surface has exceeded 15-20 years of service life, repairing individual sections may prove uneconomical. At Driveways Reigate, we provide transparent guidance on whether targeted repairs deliver genuine value or if resurfacing the complete area represents the more sensible investment.
For expert advice on tarmac repairs in Reigate, contact us at 01737 911353.
