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Can I Object To Neighbours' Dropped Kerb?

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A dropped kerb, also known as a vehicle crossing, is something that any homeowner can apply for from their local council. If you are living next to someone who is looking to have a dropped kerb constructed outside their home and you think it would have a negative impact on yourself or the rest of the neighbourhood, you might be wondering if you'll have the opportunity to register your objection with the local council. What Is A Dropped Kerb? Installing a dropped kerb outside a home allows creates a vehicle access point by removing paving slabs and creating a lower kerb, as well as other works that may need to be done to make it safe. If anyone wants to have off-street parking, including a driveway , by law they need to have a dropped kerb installed. Without a dropped kerb, it is against the law to drive a vehicle across a footpath or pavement to access a driveway. Once a dropped kerb application (and the usual fees) is submitted to the local council highway authority, t...

How To Remove Oil Stains From Driveway

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One of the biggest pains for driveway owners is oil stains. While most people will be happy to accept a little bit of dirt now and again, oil stains are a whole different story. Not only do they look pretty unpleasant but they can also affect the integrity of the driveway itself. And they can't be removed with just a hose. But don't despair. Removing oil stains isn't an impossible task after all and you can even get the job done using common household products. Why Does Oil Cause Stains On a Concrete Driveway? Unsightly oil stains are different from other types of stains. And it's not just driveways that it can stain. Most people have had the experience of getting oil on a piece of clothing that won't come out even when it's been put through the washing machine. So why does oil leave such permanent stains? It boils down to it being hydrophobic (repels water) so it won't be lifted away with normal cleaning with water. So this can make it seem like rem...

Pros and cons of sealing concrete driveways

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Concrete driveways are no longer the drab, dull grey slabs we associate with times past. These days, they offer an attractive and cost-effective alternative to block paving and asphalt, especially when they are needed to cover large areas. You can have a concrete driveway laid in a range of colours and imprinted with different textures, making your driveway unique, adding value and appeal to your home. However, one question that often arises is whether you need to use a concrete sealer. Anyone who's had a concrete driveway installed, or is considering it, may have been advised that this is essential, so is it really necessary, or is this just an attempt by the driveway specialists to make more money? Read on to find out! This unbiased guide tells you all you need to know. Is Sealing Concrete necessary? A new concrete driveway should easily last 25-30 years without concrete sealing, as long as it has regular maintenance. This involves sweeping away any debris and washi...

When to seal stamped concrete

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Stamped concrete is a versatile and endlessly customisable way of improving the look of any outdoor area. And it can even be used inside, for example, for countertops. After it has been laid and set in place, concrete is very low maintenance and durable, but it has to be laid correctly. And a big part of getting concrete right is sealing it and sealing it at the right time. Most companies will suggest leaving a full 28 days before sealing stamped concrete. This might seem like a long time to wait with unsealed concrete but it is for some very good reasons. What is stamped concrete? Stamped concrete is a relatively modern way of creating a surface for a variety of settings. You can see it in a stamped concrete patio, a stamped concrete driveway, stamped concrete floors, stamped concrete countertops, and even a stamped concrete pool deck. Stamped concrete is a decorative concrete option, and this decoration is created by applying a pattern mat to wet concrete to leave an imp...

What Happens If You Seal Concrete Too Soon?

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Concrete driveways can add tonnes of kerb appeal and value to your home and they are long-lasting, durable, and easy to maintain. But this is only if you get the installation just right. One of the most important steps in ensuring that your new driveway stays in good condition for longer is applying the concrete sealer. We are going to take a look at why you should apply a sealer and, importantly, why you shouldn't seal concrete too soon. As a rule of thumb, you should wait about a month from pouring your concrete to applying the sealer to allow time for the concrete to cure. Let's take a look at why. Concrete: The Basics Photo Credit - PXFue l Concrete is a mix of concrete, water, and aggregate (usually gravel or sand). The first step of creating a concrete driveway is to get the mix just right. The ratio of the different elements needs to be perfect and it needs to be mixed well. Without the right mix of concrete, it won't be as strong as it could be and ...

Imprinted Concrete Driveway Problems

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Getting a new driveway will give your home a whole new look, and it can also help to increase its value. You can expect a new driveway to add 5% to 10% to your property's price. But it also has to be something that you're happy to live with and something that is reasonable to install. A pattern imprinted concrete driveway (also known as stamped concrete) can tick all of these boxes but it is also important to be aware of the potential problems that can go along with this type of driveway surfacing. What Is A Pattern Imprinted Concrete Driveway? Photo Credit - Pixabay Pattern imprinted concrete is most often compared to block paving because it creates a similar look but they differ dramatically in how they are installed. Rather than placing individual blocks, an imprinted concrete driveway is laid all in one go. First, a layer of concrete is poured into a suitable sub-base to create a flat and even concrete slab. Some colour hardener is applied to give the d...

Can you install a dropped kerb for free?

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A dropped kerb is a section of kerb that has been lowered to create access either for vehicles (also known as a vehicle crossing) or for wheelchairs/motorised mobility aids. Dropping a kerb for vehicle access under normal circumstances can get quite expensive but there are some situations where a dropped kerb will be paid for by your local council. Why has a dropped kerb installed? There are two main reasons people decide to apply to have a kerb drop: so that they can have off-street parking or if they need wheelchair access. The process of having a kerb dropped in these situations are very different. Generally speaking, if you are planning to drop a kerb to create a vehicle crossing, you will need to pay for it yourself and make the necessary planning applications. The average cost can be very different depending on which local authority you live in and whether there are any additional costs to consider. If you are registered disabled and you are a property owner or a pri...