- 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!
Mallaig
Mallaig is a port in Lochaber, on the west coastline of the Highlands of Scotland. The local train station, Mallaig, is the terminus of the West Highland railway line (Fort William and also Mallaig branch) as well as the town is connected to Fort William by the A830 road-- the "Road to the Isles". The town of Mallaig was founded in the 1840s, when Lord Lovat, proprietor of North Morar Estate, split up the farm of Mallaigvaig into seventeen tracts and urged his renters to relocate to the western part of the peninsula and turn to angling as a way of life. The population and local economy expanded swiftly in the 20th century with the arrival of the train. Ferries operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and also Western Isles Cruises sail from the port to Armadale on the Isle of Skye, Inverie in Knoydart, and also the isles of Rùm, Eigg, Muck, as well as Canna. Mallaig is the primary business angling port on the West Coast of Scotland, as well as throughout the 1960s was the busiest herring port in Europe. Mallaig prided itself during that time on its popular typically smoked kippers, the fishmonger Andy Race still offering real oak smoked kippers from the manufacturing facility shop on the harbour. Mallaig and also the surrounding location is a prominent area for holidays. Most of the neighborhood speaks English, with a minority of citizens talking both English and Gaelic. Additionally, standard Gaelic is still instructed in Mallaig Primary School to pupils who choose to discover the language.
