When sound quality aliphatic resin system is installed on a suitable substrate by a professional installer, it looks fantastic and lasts for many years. However, if a low quality of aromatic resin is used, a screed is laid on an unsuitable substrate or the unskilled installer fails to apply the screen to the correct specification the resulting problems are disastrous and very expensive to correct.
What are the most common problems?
Specification
Most of resin bound surfaces fail due to a simple reason; they are incorrectly specified. You need to have accurate specifications when you need resin bound surface installation. Otherwise, you’re bound to fail as soon as the project starts. Many sellers are after profits; they don’t care about customers’ plight. If you’re unable to come up with clear specifications, involve professional installers.
Substrate
It’s well known that bituminous blacktop surfaces are vulnerable to movement with changes in ambient temperature. As a bound surface adheres itself to the blacktop, it is unable to move in the same manner. This can result in reflective cracking of the bound screed. A bound surface that receives vehicular traffic is load bearing and subject to lateral forces. Therefore, it requires a suitable foundation that can withstand deflection without cracking.
Insufficient or low-quality resin
The high cost of bound surfacing resin has made both the manufacturers and applicators to use little resin. Some applications have used as low as 2% binder while the majority use 5%. 6.5% binder is the recommended quantity for maximum performance.
Application Depth
Screed application plays a significant role in the overall capabilities of the bound surface. The minimum depth should not be less than three* the largest aggregate particle. That is, 3mm to 6mm aggregate should be laid at an absolute minimum thickness of 18mm (3*6mm).
Water
Water has detrimental effects on resin and the strength and appearance of the finished screen. When the dry aggregate is stored correctly, it remains dry and fit for purpose while the aggregate left outside easily absorbs moisture when covered. Trace amounts of moisture reduce the performance of the finished application which results in a stone loss, surface whitening and blooming.
Application
Like any other decorative surfacing, there are both good and bad installers. Besides the popularity of resin bound surfaces, the number of new installers has increased over the last few years which has resulted in increased competition. Application varies with different installers. Cheap installers happen to make a shoddy application which costs installation.
Aggregate
The selection of aggregates used inbound surfacing is essential. The crush resistance of some aggregates especially those of decorative surfacing are inadequate, and they cause particle breakdown which is trafficked across the screed which damages the surface. Damp aggregates, dusty aggregates, and oversized aggregates are used as a cost-saving mechanism which results in full system failure.
Wrapping up
As you can see the installation of resin bound surfacing requires a lot to be pretty and functional. If all the above is entailed then be assured your surface will last for many years.
