Tarmac & Asphalt

Light foot traffic is usually fine after twenty four to forty eight hours, and cars after around three to five days. The surface continues to harden for several weeks after that. Cold, wet or humid weather slows it down, so we give you a specific time on the day rather than a rule of thumb. For the first few weeks avoid turning the steering wheel while stationary, as that scuffs a fresh surface.

It is not essential, but it does extend the life of the surface. Leave a new driveway at least six to twelve months so it cures fully, then reseal every three to seven years. Sealing keeps water out of the surface, which is what turns small cracks into potholes over a winter, and slows the fading and drying out caused by UV and fuel spills.

Fifteen to twenty years is a realistic expectation from a properly laid driveway, and twenty to twenty five is achievable where the sub-base was done properly and the surface has been resealed every few years. The sub-base is the deciding factor: nearly every tarmac drive that fails early does so from underneath, not from the top.

Most cracking comes from water getting into the surface and freezing, from tree roots, or from a sub-base that was never strong enough for the loads on it. Repairs are very possible and worth doing early, as an open crack lets in more water and becomes a pothole. We cut out and reinstate the damaged area rather than simply filling over it, so the repair lasts.