- Prepare the sub-base The driveway company will excavate, or dig, the existing surface down to a depth of around 200mm. They will remove any debris from the area may place it in a skip or arrange for it to be removed in another way. When they dig down to the sub-base of your previous driveway, they will assess how much hardcore they need and arrange for that to be delivered to the site. They will then spread the hardcore across the sub-base to create a level surface to pour the concrete on. Most good contractors will apply a gel to any walls and doors to protect them from concrete splashes. They will also add any gulley tops, manhole covers or shuttering that’s required.
- Installation and imprinting Next, the tradespeople will have the concrete either poured from a large mixer vehicle or barrow it in from a mixer and pour onto the surface. They level it with rakes, then add a colour surface hardener in a colour of your choice. This will give the driveway its permanent colour. They will then wait until the concrete has hardened to the correct consistency for imprinting the pattern, then will use special tools and stencils to make the pattern that you asked for. They will then spread a colour powder called a release agent over the surface, and leave to dry for 1 to 2 days depending on the weather conditions.
- Cleaning When the contractors return, they will add crack control cuts into the concrete. This is important because concrete expands and contracts in the heat, so there needs to be some give to stop any larger cracks from forming. Then everything is power washed clean, and a chemical wash is also used on the concrete to ensure it’s completely dust-free. The installers will ensure all your walls and doors are clean, which will hopefully be an easy job if they used wall gel.
- Sealing The final step is to seal the driveway. There needs to have been at least two dry days before the tradespeople can do it, so you might find it’s best to have your pattern imprinted driveway installed in the summer. The contractors will blow any debris away from the surface and dry any damp areas where necessary. They will then add an anti-slip agent to the sealant and brush it on. It’s best to not walk or drive onto your new concrete driveway for about 4 days after sealing to allow everything to set. But after that, you’re ready to use your new driveway!
Holywood
Holywood is a town in the urban region of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is a civil parish and townland comprising 755 acres resting on the bank of Belfast Lough, between Belfast and Bangor. Holywood Urban Area is classified as a medium town within the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area (BMUA) by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, with the 2001 Census noting a permanent population of 12037. Within this population, around 20 per cent are aged under 16 years of age and 21 percent were aged 60 and over. 50.6 per cent of the population is male and 49.4 per cent is female. The railway line from Belfast to Holywood arrived in 1848, and this led to quick growth. This growth, in conjunction with that of nearby towns and villages along the coastal strip to Bangor, required the building and construction of the Holywood Bypass in the early 1970s. The town is a popular suburb and is noted for its classy shops, boutiques, arts and crafts. Holywood is most well-known for its maypole at the crossroads in the centre of town. Its origin continues being rather unclear, yet, in accordance with regional tradition, it derives from 1700, when a Dutch ship is alleged to have actually run aground on the shore close by, and the crew set up the damaged mast to reveal their appreciation of the assistance used to them by the townsfolk. The maypole continues to be in regular use for dancing at the annual May Day fair. The town also holds an annual jazz and blues celebration. There are numerous sporting options in Holywood, being the home of football clubs, golf clubs, cricket clubs and a sports association. For all your house upgrades, make sure to make use of credible professionals in Holywood to make certain of quality.
