Tarmacadam driveways
A smooth, hard-wearing surface for driveways, entrances and yards, laid on a proper base and rolled by our own machine. One of the three surfaces Eddie specialises in, across Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and Tipperary.
- Over 20 years laying driveways
- Family business in Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny
- Free quotes
- Our own materials and machinery
What a tarmacadam driveway involves
Tarmacadam is a hot mix of stone and bitumen, laid on a compacted stone base and rolled while it is hot. Done right it gives a flat, sealed surface that sheds water, takes a car every day and needs very little looking after.
The base is the job. Eddie takes out the old surface or the topsoil, puts down and compacts the stone, sets the falls so the water runs where it should, and sets the edging before the tarmac goes down. Then the mix is laid, levelled and rolled.
- Old surface out and a compacted stone base in
- Kerbing or edging to hold the edge
- Laid and rolled hot, by our own machine
- Driveways, entrances, yards and car parks
How a tarmacadam driveway is laid
The base is most of the job. The tarmac is the last few hours.
The old surface out
Old tarmac, concrete or topsoil is dug out with the digger and taken away.
The base in
Crushed stone is laid, levelled to the falls and compacted so the surface sits on something solid.
Edging and kerbs
Kerbing or edging goes in to hold the edge, so the tarmac does not break away over the years.
Laid hot and rolled
The hot mix is laid, levelled and rolled by our own machine while it is hot.
Left to harden
Keep cars off it for the first few days, and avoid turning the wheels on the spot in warm weather.
Tarmacadam driveways, finished
Get a free quote
What moves the price
No two driveways cost the same. These five things make most of the difference, and Eddie prices yours for free after a look.
Get a free quote- Length and areaA long lane takes more stone, more tar and more time than a short drive. A bigger area usually works out better per metre, because the machinery comes out either way.
- The baseIf the ground is sound and well compacted, the job is mostly surface work. If it has to be dug out and a new stone base built, that is the bigger part of the price.
- AccessA lorry and roller that can drive straight in make a quicker job than a tight entrance or a run round the back.
- The chip or stoneLocal stone is the plain option. A particular colour brought in from further away costs more.
- DrainageWater has to go somewhere. If the falls are wrong or water sits at the gate, a channel or a soakaway may be needed.
Other jobs we do
Get a free quoteTar and chip driveways
A good value alternative to tarmacadam for driveways and private roads, with a range of chips.
Gravel driveways
Gravel driveways and yards, laid on a proper base with edging.
Private roads and lanes
Long lanes and private roads in tarmacadam, tar and chip or gravel.
Farm yards and car parks
Yards and car parks for homes, farms and businesses.
Questions
How long does a tarmacadam driveway take?
Most house driveways are done in a day or two once the base is in. Eddie will tell you the time when he quotes it.
When can I drive on it?
Keep cars off it for the first few days while it hardens, and avoid turning the wheels on the spot in the first weeks of warm weather.
Do you take out the old driveway?
Yes. Clearing the old surface and the groundworks are part of the job.
Tarmacadam or tar and chip?
Tarmacadam is the smoother, sealed finish. Tar and chip is a good value surface that suits long driveways and lanes. Eddie will tell you which suits the ground and the budget.
Which areas do you cover?
Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, south Tipperary and Laois, from our base in Mullinavat.
Talk to Eddie about your driveway
Free quotes across the South East.
