Tarmac Footpath Surfacing & Repairs
Here at Commercial Tarmacadam, we are proud to offer our expertise in tarmac path building and walkway construction to builders, housing contractors, and councils. Our experienced team of professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality of service and the most innovative solutions to ensure the success of your project.
We understand that the construction process can be daunting, so we strive to make it as easy and stress-free as possible. From the initial design phase to the completion of the project, we provide personalised guidance and support every step of the way. Our unique approach is tailored to meet the needs of each individual project and our commitment to customer satisfaction drives us to continually exceed expectations.
Why is Footpath Resurfacing Important?
Having even footpaths reduces the chance of accidents happening. Uneven surfaces are a trip hazard and can cause injuries to people walking on them.
Uneven surfaces on schools or hospitals run the highest risk of someone tripping, with children and elderly people most likely to fall or get injured. You should ensure paths are correctly surfaced and repaired to avoid incidents and also reduce the risk of an insurance claim.
Cracks to footpaths should also be dealt with quickly. Footpaths will only get worse over time as water gets into them, so the faster you get them repaired, the less likely you’ll need to fully resurface them.
Why Trust Us for Footpath Resurfacing & Repairs?
We have years of experience working on residential, commercial and industrial areas as well as private properties. Here are the main reasons to choose us for your next project:
- UK wide service
- We can carry out small repairs or a full resurface to your path
- We use the latest surfacing equipment
- Fully qualified workforce
- Free competitive quotes
- Line marking service available
- Reputation for quality
- Long-lasting footpaths that can withstand usage and the elements
- All our work is guaranteed
Whatever your tarmac project is, whether it be building tarmac footpath, driveway, or even a coastal path, we have extensive experience in tarmac path building and walkway construction. We’ve completed numerous projects for our customers. Our team is committed to providing the highest quality of service and the most cost-effective solutions to fit your budget.
We take pride in our customer service and are always available to answer any questions. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help make your path-building and walkway construction project successful.
Benefits of Tarmac Footpaths
One of the main benefits of using tarmac for footpaths is durability. Tarmac footpaths are strong enough to handle heavy foot traffic, bicycles, and even small motorised vehicles. This makes tarmac footpaths perfect for busy areas like parks, shopping centres, and urban areas. They are also low maintenance and can last for years without needing repairs or resurfacing.
Tarmac footpaths are also slip-resistant. The rough surface provides high grip, reducing the risk of people slipping over. This is very important in the UK where we get more than our fair share of rain.
Being a flat and even surface, they are also ideal for people in wheelchairs and those with mobility issues. Cobblestones and gravel surfaces are much more difficult to travel over, making tarmac footpaths the best choice for urban, commercial and residential areas.
Footpath Surfacing Process
Kerb Laying
Kerb laying is an essential part of any footpath surfacing project. Our team of experienced professionals will provide you with high-quality service from start to finish. We use only the best materials to ensure your kerb is laid correctly, to the highest of standards.
The process begins with the excavation of the area around the kerb, which is done to ensure that the kerb is properly secured. After that, the kerb is laid and the surrounding area is prepared for tarmacing.
Finally, the area is covered with tarmac, and the job is complete. Kerb laying provides a strong and durable foundation, which will withstand the heaviest of traffic. It also helps keep pedestrians safe, preventing vehicles from encroaching on walkways and sidewalks.
Sub-base Layer
At least 24 hours later, once the concrete edging has set, the sub-base material will be placed and levelled off with shovels and rakes, topped-up as necessary, and then compacted using a mechanical machine roller.
Some smaller jobs use a vibrating plate compactor to compact the sub-base material. However, a roller is essential for the later compacting of the tarmac layers anyway, so there should be one available on most sites. Roller machines are considerably faster and more efficient than most plate compactors.
To check the depth of a sub-base before it is laid, we use a piece of timber cut to the required depth. If the straight edge at the top of the piece rests on the kerb stones, your sub-base is too high; if it lies above them, your sub-base is too low. The lower base layer is commonly built with additional material before the sub-base material is placed down.
Laying the Tarmac
Finally, the binder course is the first of the two layers of tarmac used in a typical footpath or walkway.
The aggregate size in our pathway tarmac is chunkier than that used in the surface course, with a typical size being 20mm. To ensure that the binder surface material is hot enough to be workable, it is delivered to the site in insulated trucks, which keeps it warm. It is poured as quickly as possible before it cools and becomes unworkable.
The tarmac will be tipped off the delivery wagon onto a clean surface, such as the existing pathway, and then sheeted with large tarpaulins, which help retain heat. A loading shovel will feed the tarmac to the laying gang, tipping it out to each section of the path as needed. Using their rakes, rake-hands level the tarmac by judging its accuracy to ensure a smooth finish.
On smaller jobs, where it is not feasible to use a loading shovel, workers manually shovel the tarmac from the sheeted pile into wheelbarrows and then wheel them to the laying edge, where they are tipped out where needed as directed by the raker.
How Soon Can You Walk on Tarmac Surface?
After a new surface has been laid, it will need a bit of time to cool. If you need to walk on it to complete a job, it should be fine as long as you wear flat shoes, take careful footsteps and use ground mats in order to avoid footprints.
For a residential pathway, we recommended allowing a couple of hours for the surface course to cool completely before taking any weighted objects over it to avoid imprints. Most contractors & local councils would prefer vehicles to be kept off the newly completed surface for 24 hours, which is generally sound advice.
It is common for projects such as park pathways and cycle paths to be used immediately after construction has finished due to the nature of their locations and the difficulty in policing such traffic.