- 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!
Spean Bridge
Spean Bridge is a village in the parish of Kilmonivaig, in Lochaber in the Highland area of Scotland. The village takes its name from the Highbridge over the River Spean on General Wade's armed forces road between Ft William and also Ft Augustus, as well as not from Telford's bridge of 1819 which carries the A82 over the river at the heart of the village. Depending on the Great Glen, Spean Bridge has transport links north in the direction of Inverness and southern to Ft William, supplied by the A82, as well as the A86 heads eastern to join the A9 at Kingussie. The town is offered by the Spean Bridge train station supplying links to Glasgow, London, as well as Mallaig and between 1903 and 1933 it supplied a branch line service to Fort Augustus. The Highbridge Skirmish on 16 August 1745 was the initial interaction of the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The Commando Memorial, dedicated to the men of the original British Commando Forces raised during Second World War, is located about 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) north-west of Spean Bridge, at the joint of the A82 as well as the B8004. It forgets the training areas of the Commando Training Depot established in 1942 at Achnacarry Castle.
