Frequently Asked Questions
Buildadrive FAQs
How do you know without seeing the job in person exactly what needs doing?
We only provide estimates online and we would need to do a site survey to confirm the details and create a final quotation. The more time our clients spend creating their online estimate, the more accurate the final quotation will be.
If we complete an online estimate and request a site survey, are we under any obligation to get the work done?
No, not at all. All our advice and quotations are free and you are never obligated or put under pressure to go ahead with the work. Only when you are ready to commit to the work will we create a job file and get the ball rolling.
How long is your work guaranteed for?
All of our hard standings come with a 10 year warranty. It’s worth reading about your chosen surface on our surfaces page to make sure you understand the pros and cons for that particular surface.
How do you price a product when you don’t know exactly which one we want?
Good question, all our estimates take the middle of the range price option for every product we have. This means prices can slightly increase or decrease depending on final choices.
Can I see an example of my chosen surface before booking?
We’re very proud to have our own outdoor showroom, where you can see a wide range of surfaces and finishing options. We’d always recommend a visit if you’re deciding between colours or want some inspiration. We’re located at Unit 5 Logistics Hub, Howley Park Road East, Leeds, LS27 0GS, and are open from 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.
Do you offer any finance options?
We do offer driveway finance through Ideal4Finance. Get in touch with us for more information.
Do you take a deposit before starting work on the job?
No. At Buildadrive, customer satisfaction is our highest priority, which is why we take no payment from customers until the job is complete and you are happy with the work.
Can you just resurface over my old driveway?
Sometimes, but we need to check the foundation first. If your existing driveway has cracks or has sunk, putting a new layer on top is just a bandage solution. We often recommend a full dig-out to guarantee longevity.
Tarmac FAQs
Can tarmac be repaired?
Yes; tarmac can be repaired but the repair would be visible. If the area is small it sometimes warrants to take off the whole area of tarmac topping and relay the entire wearing/surface course. This can also be done every 20 years or as necessary making a tarmac driveway a really cost effective lifetime option for a driveway.
Is tarmac hard wearing?
Tarmac is very hard wearing but should be used properly in order not to cause damage due to excessive wear or misuse. Dry turning vehicles or point loading with heavy or sharp edges should be avoided or kept to a minimum.
Is it normal for a tarmac driveway to dip where the car runs on and off?
No; properly installed tarmac driveways should never dip or sag under vehicle pressure. The most common cause is bad or incorrect sub base and base coats.
Block Paving FAQs
Is it normal for the block paving to sink in trafficked areas?
No, certainly not. Like any driveway the wearing course is only as good as the sub base. It’s paramount when installing a block driveway that the correct specification on base courses is adhered too. Even with the right type and depth of base coats will fail if not properly compacted. A walk behind vibrating plate is not enough for any base courses . Ideally a large ride on vibrating roller on large areas or heavy diesel forward/reverse walk behind compactors on smaller areas.
I’ve heard jet washing can damage my block paving? Why is that?
The problem is not with jet washing. Infact, that is the best way to maintain block paving! It is about using the right attachment on the jet washer itself.
If you use a standard jet wash that shoots water through a straight jet then the water will be forced all the way down the sides of the blocks and potentially displace the grit sand under the blocks leading to distorted blocks once trafficked. Professional flat surface cleaners are designed with jets that shoot water at a 45% angle and are designed to remove only the top 15-20mm of the surface between the blocks below the surface. This way of cleaning is important to a long lasting trouble free block paving driveway.
Can block paving be repaired?
Yes; block paving is the easiest hardstanding to repair. If it’s one of ours please contant us for any repairs if it needs to be dug up at any point. If reinstated by a third party and it failed it would void the warranty.
Flagstone FAQs
Why are Indian flagstones not ideal for a driveway?
Indian stone flagstones can be used but with the surface area of each flagstone being so large it is sometimes difficult to follow the curvature of the land. A small style of Indian stone cobble/block pavior is better suited to driveways.
I see lots of Indian stone with black staining? What is that and can it be removed?
Natural stone and manufactured stone both suffer from lichen and efflorescence, this is described as black staining or spotting and can be removed by combining jet washing with chemical agents.
Can I protect my Indian stone from lichen and efflorescence?
Yes Indian stone should be sealed with a good quality sealer to prevent staining. Make sure all lichen and efflorescence is totally removed before sealing, if you seal over the staining, chemicals and jet washing will have no effect.
Gravel FAQs
How do I stop the gravel from spilling out onto the road?
When installing a gravel driveway, slightly raised edges should be created using blocks, pin kerbs or sometimes timber edging if the design suits so that the loose stone will not easily be pushed into surrounding areas. Also be sure to go easy when accelerating in vehicles as to not cause the wheels to spin and the gravel to be displaced.
Gravel is a cheaper option but it's still quite expensive ? Why is that?
Unfortunately when doing any ground work to a good and correct specification there is no such thing as a cheap job. Gravel driveways still need to be excavated and a correct sub base with supporting edges fitted. The savings to be had with a gravel drive comes from the lower cost of the gravel material and the ease of installation.If you were to just scrape the grass off and cover with gravel then you would certainly save money in the short term but would be left mess further down the line.
If I choose gravel for now would it be expensive to upgrade to a fixed hard standing surface in the future?
All our driveways are done to specification using a quality type 1 hardcore base, so a gravel base course would also lend its self to other hard standing driveways like tarmac. These surfaces could be laid over the existing base once the gravel has been removed. Only resin bound is the exception as it needs a specialised type 3 base course.
Resin FAQs
Is resin porous?
Yes, Resin Bound when installed over the properly specified sub base is fully porous and conforms with the SUDS regulations for permeable surfaces.
How does the water drain away if laid over an existing surface that is not porous?
The water will still pass through the resin giving the benefit of no puddles or surface water, but the water will still run off under the resin as with the natural fall of the land. The water will pool in areas as it did before the resin it will just not be visible. It will dry and evaporate as usual.
If overlaying on an existing surface do you drill holes in that surface to help with drainage?
No, not in any circumstances. If drainage is an issue on overlay systems then correct drain ducts and channels should be installed. Drilling holes in sound surfaces leads to all kinds of problems and is considered bad practice.
