faqs
1. Should I try the service even though I think my driveway is beyond saving?
2. I have a Pattern Imprinted Concrete Driveway, how often does it require resealing?
3. When is the best time to start the service?
4. Do I have to be at home when Constructive call?
5. I have few loose blocks and several broken ones. Does your company replace them?
6. Can we see examples of your work?
7. I have a few cracks in my concrete path; can you fill them before you clean and seal the area?
8. Why don’t you recommend cleaning with a pressure washer?
9. I have noticed from your plans that you offer a discount! Is this a genuine discount?
10. How long does the sealant last?
11. After the drive has been sealed, how easy is it to clean off new oil or dirty stains?
12. How long, after giving the order will it be before you can start work?
13. Why can’t you clean and then immediately seal the surface?
14. Is cleaning my driveway a messy job?
15. Is it ordinary sand that is installed between the blocks?
16. My block paving has been down for years and has never been sealed before. Is it alright to seal after so long?
17. Can the sealant be installed all-year round?
18. Is there an anti-slip surface available?
19. Would you come and just clean my driveway?
20. Do you require both water and electricity points?
21. Is it harmful to pets and plants?
22. What if I already have a Gardener?
23. Will the treatments address moss, lichen and algae?
24. I would like a quote for the services you offer, what do I do next?
Should I try the service even though I think my driveway is beyond saving?
Definitely. Homeowners are constantly amazed to see what they thought was a driveway beyond saving, transformed into a beautiful paved area.
I have a Pattern Imprinted Concrete Driveway, how often does it require resealing?
Many Pattern Imprinted Contractors portray the image that this type of surface is maintenance free. They often do not tell their clients at the time of installation that their driveway, path or patio will require resealing between every 2- 4 years. This is generally down to substandard service and the fact that in a competitive market, they feel that they may lose the sale due to customers feeling it could be expensive. We strongly disagree with this method of selling! It offers bad service and surely if a driveway begins to lose colour in 3-4 years time the customer will not recommend that contractor to friends and family! We believe this is bad for business. Leading Manufacturers of Pattern Imprinted Concrete such as PICs U.K. strongly recommend a heavily trafficked area should be resealed every 2 -3 years or so. This will then help maintain both the colour appearance and the structural integrity of the concrete, without the correct sealant the concrete will lose colour and over time could even lead to a costly replacement driveway. Please visit our paving shield program for further details on this maintenance requirement.
When is the best time to start the service?
There is never a bad time to start creating a beautiful driveway. You can adopt the service at any time.
Do I have to be at home when Constructive call?
The majority of our customers on our maintenance plans are not at home when we call to treat their driveways. Since all our vehicles and operatives are self sufficient we can carry out the treatment as long as we have access to the driveway and an outside tap. If you wish to be in when we call to treat your driveway, we will do our best to accommodate your request.
I have few loose blocks and several broken ones. Does your company replace them?
Normally with broken blocks, we will replace them by uplifting a matching existing block from an inconspicuous area of the existing driveway, this will then be replaced with a new block. This helps keep a uniformed colour match throughout the driveway. Loose blocks can also be rebased.
Can we see examples of your work?
Yes. We have a number of selected driveways for you to view. Please ask for further details of the driveways within your locality.
I have a few cracks in my concrete path; can you fill them before you clean and seal the area?
Yes, we can refill them using an epoxy resin mix. However, often there is a problem where the repaired cracks can appear more visible. Our recommendation is to leave them, the path or paving is highly unlikely to move or crumble. We can discuss this further.
Why don’t you recommend cleaning with a pressure washer?
We DON’T use a pressure jet washer, because over time this may cause damage on block surfaces by distributing the bedding sand beneath the block, hence ultimately resulting in costly paving failure. Our cleaning machine acts on a rotary system which covers a larger surface so cleaning is not streaky and the work is done much quicker, at the same time protecting the block from damage.
I have noticed from your plans that you offer a discount! Is this a genuine discount?
All discounts we offer are genuine savings. Our approach is to obtain business in a selected area on a weekly basis. By grouping our installations we save money, and this way so do you. This discount may not always be offered and we are strict on the period of the acceptance time.
How long does the sealant last?
The life expectancy of the sealant varies for several reasons. Firstly, the quality of the sealant used and secondly, how much in the way of overhanging tree branches and foliage is adjacent to the surface. Dependent on these factors the sealant can last from 2-8 years and sometimes longer. The main factor is the frequency of use of the surface and which sealant you choose to have applied.
After the drive has been sealed, how easy is it to clean off new oil or dirty stains?
Normally after sealing, bad stains are much easier to clean with a normal garden pressure washer, however a stain removal solution can be used, any oil and grease should then be gone. The urethane finish treatment has the highest resistance to oil stains especially the two coat matt or wet look system.
What about grass and weed growth?
When Pattern Imprinted Concrete is laid correctly, weed growth should be eliminated. However on block paving, weeds often grow in the surface joints, this can be resolved by using a weed killer twice a year and keeping the surface area sealed.
How long, after giving the order will it be before you can start work?
We endeavor to start work within 14 days unless otherwise agreed. However this can vary according to the time of year and weather conditions.
Why can’t you clean and then immediately seal the surface?
After using the high pressured rotary cleaner, we need the surface to dry- this may take a day or two. This is because the sealants cannot be sprayed or brushed onto a damp surface as a milky film may occur under the sealant, this is known as ‘blooming’. A damp surface can lead to poor adhesion and discolouring.
Is cleaning my driveway a messy job?
If your driveway has not been cleaned for a long time, yes it is likelythat you will see a lot of dirt on the day the driveway is cleaned. We endeavor to ensure all traces mud and debris are removed the same day using a pressure washer. For larger debris we will remove this from thesite completely.
Is it ordinary sand that is installed between the blocks?
Some block surfaces have had ordinary building sand used as jointing sand. This is incorrect and a sign of poor installation. We always use kiln dried sharp sand for jointing. This type of sand binds together better and the urethane acts as a sand binder joining the sand grains together. Ask to view a sample of treated sand.
My block paving has been down for years and has never been sealed before. Is it alright to seal after so long?
There’s no problem, cleaning and sealing a drive of any age. The older the block the more porous the surface is, although more sealant is required. Good to old drives, in our experience. They come up so well after cleaning and sealing.
Can the sealant be installed all-year round?
Yes with dry and warm conditions, the job will take between 3 – 5 days and, during winter, when it can be wet and damp, between 5 – 10 days
Is there an anti-slip surface available?
The sealers we use are specially manufactured to minimise slipping, as they protect you against lichen and moss.We offer anti-skid solution which will give you the added protection. See details on Rhino –Grip.
Would you come and just clean my driveway?
Yes we will just clean a drive, path or patio. Enquire about our range of plans.
Do you require both water and electricity points?
Our equipment is powered by a diesel generated motor. We do require a cold water supply. If a garden tap is available, that will suit our purpose fine.
Is it harmful to pets and plants?
As we spray near garden areas, our installer uses a protection board which prevents the sealant from overspray and protects plants and garden area. We take extra precaution around ponds and water areas. During the initial drying period it is essential to keep children and pets away from the installation, we recommend (approx) 4 hours. Some of the sealants used will release fumes, but the smell will usually disappear within 6 hours or so.
What if I already have a Gardener?
Many of Constructives customers already have a gardener who can generally tidy up the exterior gardens. However we are not a gardening company! The work that Constructive carry out specialises in paving which requires expertise and experience within that area, we will not carry out any of the other workthat your gardener does. If required, we would be happy to discuss the work we intend to carry out with your gardener.
Will the treatments address moss, lichen and algae?
Our treatments and “driveway beneficials” are specifically geared to addressing moss, lichen and algae problems on driveways.
I would like a quote for the services you offer, what do I do next?
Call us on 01706 821812 and one of our office staff will be happy to arrange an appointment for you.