Has your tarmac driveway melted in the heatwave? This is how you can solve the problem and prevent it from happening again
Noticed soft, sticky patches on your tarmac driveway? High temperatures are likely to be the cause
Summer brings with it a whole host of things to love – long, lazy evenings in the garden which, with any luck, might be in bloom, maybe a trip to the seaside, ice lollies galore..
That said, they are also some downsides to summer – the hot sticky nights that can disrupt a good sleep, buzzing creatures everywhere and, in some cases, the damage hot weather can do to our homes. Tarmac driveways are a good case in point here. While they have much to offer homeowners looking for a low-maintenance and affordable option, they do not always perform so well in a heatwave, with melting being one particular problem.
If this is something that is worrying you, or that you have already started experiencing during the recent scorching temperatures, help is at hand.
Why do tarmac driveways melt in summer?
As driveway materials go, tarmac has to be one of the least needy, yet they are not infallible, and you might start to see signs of driveway damage. Fluctuations in temperature can cause cracks to appear and, if the base wasn't constructed correctly, they can also buckle under the weight of very heavy vehicles.
If you have ever driven abroad, you may well have noticed your tyres sticking to the tarmac on the road a little, or noticed shiny melting patches – but what causes this?
'Tarmac driveways are made up with bitumen that tends to soften in high temperatures,' explains Daniel Wickham, owner of First Impression Driveways. 'This becomes more likely if the tarmac surface is either old, badly laid or sees heavy usage – all while being in direct sunlight.'
Danny Wickham, the owner of First Impression Driveways, has been shaping driveways in Stockton-on-Tees, UK, for over 20 years. Known for his expertise and attention to detail, Danny specialises in creating driveways that combine practicality with aesthetic charm. His company offers services in block paving, resin, concrete imprint, and tarmac, focusing on tailoring each project to the client's needs.
What are the signs of a melting driveway?
It doesn't matter whether you have a block paved driveway or a tarmac design, with any summer driveway damage, spotting and fixing the issue as soon as you can is key to ensuring it doesn't cause you too much of a headache.
Given that tarmac tends to soften once temperatures hit around 50°C, you might assume that this won't be a problem here in the UK. However, dark materials absorb heat readily and many driveways sit in direct sunlight – plus ground temperatures are higher than air meaning it is not unrealistic in extreme heat, that a tarmac drive could reach this figure.
"The big red flags are soft patches, tire marks, scuffing, indentations, or when the surface starts to look uneven or distorted," warns Daniel Wickham.
What can you do to prevent a tarmac driveway from melting?
Just as you can prepare your driveway for winter, so too are there steps you can take to make sure it doesn't suffer too much in the summer heat.
Eamonn Turley, a car and road trip specialist at Road Smiles, has some tips on protecting a tarmac drive from the heat. 'Keeping up with regular maintenance – such as sealing when required – protects the bitumen from oxidation and UV degradation which accelerates softening overtime. Proper driveway drainage is important too, since standing water increases the breakdown of the surface between hot days.'
'The issues can be avoided by building the driveway from the start with above standard techniques, using appropriate materials for your driveway and the volume of traffic you expect,' adds Daniel Wickham. 'During extreme heat, it also helps to avoid placing undue stress on the surface, like turning wheels when not moving and leaving heavy vehicles in one spot too long.
'Of course you could always install a brand new tarmac driveway with better quality asphalt materials and have it installed by a good contractor – that would definitely improve how well it lasts through hot spells,' adds Daniel.
This sealer works to protect tarmac driveways from UV-rays meaning issues are less likely to occur in extreme heat. It also helps prevent oil stains and offers protection from frost damage – plus, it promises to restore that 'just-laid' look.
What should you do if your tarmac driveway melts?
If your driveway has begun to shows signs of softening in the heat, there are several steps you should take to address the issue.
According to Eamonn Turley, a considered approach is best, rather than rushing in trying to put the problem right. 'When a driveway has softened or become 'sticky', I wouldn't recommend fixing it right away. It's better for traffic to be kept low until the weather cools.
'Since damaged tarmac becomes weaker when heated, driving or turning wheels on already-damaged tarmac can easily cause additional problems,' continues Eamonn. 'When temperatures decrease, an expert can be brought in to evaluate what needs to be done to fix the area. In some cases driveway resurfacing might be required, while in others, the sub-base might need to be repaired or rebuilt.'
Finally, Eamonn has some words of reassurance for worried owners of tarmac driveways. 'Temporary softening due to a heat spell doesn't mean total failure. That said, if cars continue to park or manoeuvre on the soft spots, those areas may begin to develop rutting and scuffing, which will likely stay when temperatures return to normal.'
FAQs
Do resin driveways melt in high temperatures?
There are not many disadvantages of resin driveways – they offer great stability, come in a huge range of design options and, in the case of resin bound driveways, which are permeable, won't require planning permission. But how do they respond under extreme heat?
The good news here is that, provided you have specified a UV-stable resin system, melting should not be an issue. That said, experts agree that in very hot weather, the surface may become a touch more pliable, meaning minor scuffing could occur when tyres are turned on it.
It is worth looking at all the options before deciding on a driveway material. Check out the pros and cons of gravel driveways as part of your research – they are an excellent, affordable choice that also happen to look beautiful.
