Tar Surfaces Basics:
As with any good solid building a proper foundation is prerequisite to the future of that building. Modern buildings require the design services and supervision of good civil engineers because of the ground structure and building requirements to ensure plenty years of safe occupation.
Tar Paving ( and any other paving methods ) should enjoy the same careful planning. These should include traffic volumes, size of vehicles and loads, redirection of natural flow of water away from the area, to name but a few. For a normal suburban dwelling not allowing vehicles in the excess of 2,000 kg the minimum subbase specifications should be the norm rather than the exeption. Area to be tarred should be carefully sloped,compacted and treated against the growth of ANY weeds grass, trees etc. This should inludes the sterilisation of all seeds as certain seeds can lay dormant for up to sixty years, waiting for the right conditions to germinate and grow.
The Cost Aspect.
A absolute minimum of 50 m/m thick concrete slab is required. Aything less wont carry the burden that the weight of vehicles constitute onto the driveway. Mixing the concrete to the maximum strength accordingto the cement manufacturers specifications will ensure a good quality slab. The cure time before tar be laid should be at least two days in normal weather.
For a lifelong tar surface only HOT PREMIX TAR to be used. Cold tar mixture is not as durable as the proper substance and was merely developed to cope with crisis situations on tar roads to patch potholes. Problem is that the situation on our roads deteriorate as the bag of cold tar is just dumped into the pothole without even being properly compacted......... In order for the contractor to do a proper job hot premix tar must be at least 160 Degrees Celcius when it is being delivered to the proposed site. Proper time management and methods to lay the tar surface must strictly be adhered to, to ensure good compacting all round. This is also applicable to areas near the curbstone where obscure contractors claim it cannot be compacted. This is indeed one of the main causes of subbase failures as the uncompacted areas allow lots of water to penetratres the subbase with subsequent devastating effects on the tar surface.Tar not being the right temperature cannot be compacted as it should. This result in an uneven surface with small "dams " in which rainwater accumulates and then of course penetrates the tar with the result of wich is decribed above.
Hot premix should be laid not less than 25m/m thick and then properly compacted by a motorized pedestrian roller operated by a experienced operator. It can thus be noted that the entire tar paving process must be done by an experienced crew.
The Cost Aspect.
For the average homeowner not having knowledge about the process and it's technicalities and still want definite value for his money he should not embark on the first cheap quotation he receive. To help making a decision he should do some homework. Best is to ask for several quotations, ask questions, gain the knowledge to sift through the information to then make an informed decision. Of course then there is the internet with lots of information....... The price of hot mix tar delivered to your site varies from time to time but is seldom cheaper than R XX.00 excluding VAT for 1,000 kgs. With this you can cover app. 17 square metre at the prescribed thickness of 25 m/m. Anything less than 25m/m is like driving a Ferrari on used retreaded tyres.
The cost per square metre is thus app. RXX.00 for the asphalt plus RXX.00 minimum per sq. m for the material for the subbase. How on earth some " contractors" can charge R XX.00 per sq.m for the complete installation process can just set your imagination to work as to how many shortcuts some take to make a profit.
For more info and advice please call Frikkie on 082 852 8037.
THIS PAGES ARE ONLY INFORMATIVE.
For more info and advice please call Frikkie on 082 852 8037.
THIS PAGES ARE ONLY INFORMATIVE.
