Concrete and tarmac driveways often start to show signs of wear and tear or become more susceptible to damage as the colder weather bites. We commonly hear from homeowners or businesses that assume they’ll have to put up with an uneven driveway until the summer – which isn’t necessarily true! With homeowners looking for potential replacements going into the winter period, you may ask – can I replace my driveway this winter?
Although resin-bound driveways require special care and protection from water ingress as they cure, it is possible to lay a new resin drive, or replace a poor-quality older drive at any time of the year, provided you work with a professional team experienced with the complexities of resin.
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Why Are Resin Driveways Difficult to Install in the Winter?
The challenge with resin is that, despite its considerable advantages and performance qualities, a polyurethane resin needs to be protected while it cures – this is the process whereby the resin dries out completely rather than becoming dry to the touch.
An exothermic material like resin is affected by humidity, nearby moisture and the weather, so a resin drive must be shielded from dampness during the curing process.
There are multiple ways we can assess the most suitable time to replace a driveway in the winter, such as using a gauge to analyse the ground moisture content or evaluating air vapour to determine whether the conditions are manageable.
Even in cool weather of around five degrees, if the day is dry and crisp, there isn’t any prohibitive reason we can’t get your new, smooth resin drive completed!
How to Speed Up Winter Resin Driveway Installations
One of the many options is to use an additive that acts as a catalyst to help resin dry much faster and ensure that it is perfectly cured before any forecast rain sets in. Summer driveway installations rarely require this since the warm, dry heat is mainly beneficial, although you do not want it too hot or the resin will cure two quickly, potentially leaving join lines between mixes.
It is also important to carry out preparatory work beforehand. We might recommend levelling, refurbishing or replacing unsuitable substrate surfaces and then pouring your resin-bound drive when outdoor conditions are acceptable.
Every Flexflooring drive is backed by our expertise, professional insurance and warranty periods. We can suggest the correct approach to achieve an impeccable surface regardless of the time of year.
Why Is Moisture a Factor in Replacing an Old Driveway?
Once a resin driveway has cured, it can cope with even the worst adverse weather conditions. The high-performance permeability allows rainwater to drain away naturally without disrupting the water table, pool surface water, or building up a slick, dangerous ice coating in the winter.
The curing stage is all-important because moisture and fresh resin can bond and create bubbles of gas that make the resin look cloudy or foamy – not the quality finish we expect.
However, an often misunderstood fact is that in high heat, troweling can also be more challenging since resin can set too quickly, so cooler temperatures can be useful.
Cold weather does mean that resin needs a little more time to cure, but provided the resin is UV-stable and has a commercial-grade curing catalyst, drying rates can be expedited.
When Is the Best Time to Lay a New Resin Drive?
Generally, warm and dry weather that isn’t excessively hot is optimal for laying a new driveway, purely because resin dries faster. In the summer, the caveat is that our installation teams need to work very quickly and efficiently to ensure the resin is poured and laid correctly before it cures.
Some summer-laid resin driveways are dry within as little as 12 hours. However, usage is always best delayed for at least 24 hours to ensure minimal potential to cause damage by driving on resin that is still slightly damp.
During the winter, resin may need to be left to rest for around 48 hours or potentially more. Still, there isn’t any reason to delay replacing your driveway, provided you are happy to make alternative parking arrangements for two or three days.
Once set, a resin drive can last for decades with very little maintenance, so the investment is time well spent. It may also be economical to replace a damaged driveway sooner rather than waiting several months, in which case the preparatory works may be more extensive.
The Flexflooring team specialises in resin-bound driveways, so we will be happy to advise about the best ways to avoid impacts from cars, delivery vehicles or foot traffic during the time your new drive requires to set. Simple precautions such as hazard tape and signage are usually more than sufficient.
How to Maintain a New Resin Bound Driveway in the Winter
If you’re ready to get your flawless, slip-proof and contemporary driveway fitted, please get in touch, and we’ll discuss the next steps!
In the meantime, it’s worth knowing how to maintain a resin drive when the winter sets in, and the durable nature of resin means that you usually won’t need to commit a huge amount of time to upkeep.
Resin is porous, which is a substantial advantage in the winter because ice rarely forms on the surface as there isn’t any standing water to contend with.
You can apply salt or sand if you’re concerned about surface ice and can wash this away once the freeze thaws to ensure there aren’t any residues left on your driveway. You can remove snow with a basic shovel – steer clear of metal shovels because the sharp edges can damage the top surface of the resin.
Year-round, basic maintenance rules apply:
- Treat any stains or marks caused by turning tyres on a stationary vehicle straight away – a power wash with some white spirit will do the job.
- Don’t place anything heavy on the resin drive for long periods, such as a skip, piece of machinery or garden equipment.
- Clean spillages as soon as possible, and sweep the driveway with a stiff outdoor broom to keep leaves and general debris at bay.
With a little light touch maintenance, winter resin driveway care is straightforward. If you’d like more advice about replacing your tired drive this winter, please get in touch for further information.
