Caring For a Resin Bound Surface – Aftercare Guide

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If you’ve just had a gorgeous new resin bound driveway installed, you probably want to know how to look after it to keep it looking on top form for years to come. As resin bound surfacing experts, we have simple hacks and tips that require just a little bit of effort on your part in this guide.

Aftercare tips

Regular brushing and washing is often the only maintenance required for resin bound surfacing. However, there are some extra seasonal maintenance jobs that can help you maintain the perfect driveway.

Seasonal maintenance

Autumn

Sweep away leaves. It’s much easier to remove leaves when they are crisp and dry, rather than waiting for them to decay and become sludgy. A traditional sweep brush or more convenient leaf blower is ideal for this autumn maintenance task.

Winter

An important part of maintaining your resin bound paving is to scatter a layer of rock salt on it when icy temperatures are predicted. The salt will prevent ice from forming on the surface. Be sure to hose your paving down well with clean water after the cold spell.

Remove snow with a plastic shovel rather than a metal one. Using metal garden tools could scrape and damage the resin bound surface.

Summer

It’s best to have any weeds completely removed before the resin bound surface is laid. However, if you do see any weed growth come spring and summer, you can treat it with a suitable weed killer. If any weeds sprout up near your surface, you should try not to let them flower, as they could spread to your driveway.

Also remove any moss to keep your driveway looking pleasant and prevent slip hazards. You can spray the area with an algaecide periodically or remove using a broom or pressure washer.

Substances to avoid on resin bound surfaces

As mentioned above, it’s best to avoid using a metal shovel when removing snow. This is because it could damage the surface. You should also refrain from dragging or pushing heavy items over the surface, such as a skip. To protect the surface further, you may want to place heavier metal objects on wooden planks.

There are also spillages that you want to avoid whenever possible: oil, grease, cement, plaster, petrol, solvents.

If you do drop or spill any of these liquids or materials on your resin bound driveway, make sure to wash them off as soon as possible to prevent any hard-to-repair damage. Harsh chemicals could soften your base material, weakening the structure of your driveway.

You should also wipe away any tyre marks or mud.

At A&MT, we’re professional surfacing contractors who are dedicated to helping people get the ideal driveway (in Peterborough and London area), and keep it looking presentable for years to come. We hope this guide will help you keep your resin bound surface on top form. Contact us today for more information about our resin bound surfacing.

Laying a Resin Bound Surface – Which Base is Best?

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If you’re considering having a resin bound surface installed on your driveway or pathway, we’re covering exactly what’s involved in this quick guide. This surface is created as a mix of resin and aggregates bound together in a forced action mixer. Its smooth, flat surface even earned it another name: ‘stone carpet’. To have the best surface solution for your site, it’s important to pick the right base. While a professional surfacing contractor should be able to advise on this, our resin bound surfacing experts are giving you some insight into the different bases available and the pros and cons for each.

What’s a suitable base material?

  • Concrete
  • Tarmac
  • Grid systems

What are the pros and cons of each?

Concrete:

New or old concrete is a suitable base for resin bound surfacing. Permeable concrete is best. Non-permeable concrete can absorb moisture and could affect the lifespan of your driveway. With non-permeable concrete, you’ll also need to have falls and drainage installed – an extra expense that means the project will take longer to complete. If you want a new permeable concrete base laid, you will need to wait 14 days before having your resin driveway installed. It will also need to be primed with a polymer primer.

Tarmac:

If your tarmac or asphalt surface is in good condition, it makes an ideal base for your resin bound surface. Similarly to concrete, if your tarmac base is not permeable, you will need to have drainage installed.

If you’re looking to install a new tarmac base, permeable is the most efficient choice. A new non-permeable driveway will need planning permission. It will also need drainage.

A top advantage of having a tarmac base is that the resin paving can be directly installed on the tarmac, as it creates chemical and physical bonds. Contact our tarmac surfacing contractors for more information.

Grid systems:

Grid systems are environmentally friendly and free draining. While this base isn’t quite as strong as concrete or tarmac, you will still have a sturdy base for your resin bound paving.

Which one is best for which situation?

Your surface should be suitable for the load that it will carry. You should discuss the type and number of vehicles that will use your driveway with your chosen contractor. For heavier vehicles and more frequent use, permeable concrete or tarmac is highly recommended.

If you already have a strong base in place, then you’re all good to go. However, if you’re not sure what base you have, or which one is best for your site, you should get a free site survey from our expert groundworkers in Peterborough or London. If you’re looking for resin bound surfacing, contact the team at A&MT today. We make sure you’re completely confident that your driveway will be practical and long-lasting. We are City & Guilds qualified and we offer flexible scheduling to get your new driveway completed at a time to suit you.

How we carry out our playground surfacing installation

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This quick guide will run through the playground surfacing installation process for our most popular materials, including tarmac and asphalt. We hope this will keep you clued up about what the process involves from start to finish so you can feel confident about any upcoming installation projects.

Asphalt playground surfacing: what does the installation involve?

Medium textured asphalt is the most popular surface for play areas. This material can help achieve extra grip, especially for sports courts. At A&MT, we also specialise in applying an anti-slip resin based material which comes in numerous colours.

Site survey

Before we go into the details of the playground installation process, the first port of call will be to speak to a member of our reputable team. They’ll talk you through your requirements, answer any questions you might have and arrange a free site visit at a time to suit you.

We won’t just discuss the surfacing, we’ll also talk you through other essentials such as drainage, borders and line markings.

Resurfacing

If a school playground is large enough and has a good, solid sub-base, it can be resurfaced using a road laying machine. This method can save a lot of time and enable the play areas to be used the following day. Usually a play area can be prepared in a day and resurfaced in a day or two. The complete works can be carried out over a long weekend or half term to ensure minimal disruption.

For smaller areas, a mini paver can be used, or we can hand lay asphalt where we cannot gain access with machinery.

Finishing touches

We take levels to ensure that there are adequate built in falls for drainage. If there are no drainage systems, we can construct them.

For the finishing touches, we can also apply markings for games, or even design walkways for designated areas.

What does A&MT offer?

At A&MT, we have the latest commercial-grade equipment to ensure the work is completed quickly and to a high standard. We’ll leave your school playground surface smooth, neat and tidy. With a no quibble guarantee, we make sure our clients are 100% satisfied with the finished product. Contact us today.

Designing a Bespoke Playground For Schools – Top Tips

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From the surfacing material to the finishing touches, there are plenty of considerations when getting school playground surfacing. We’ve got a step-by-step process to help you get your unique playground project off the ground, and have a better grasp of what’s involved.

Get a site survey with the experts

Your first port of call should be to find a local surfacing contractor who specialises in playgrounds. By calling them out for a free site survey, they can take a good look at your site. If you already have a surface in place but want improvements or a resurface, they can decide the best course of action. They will listen to your requirements and take onboard the unique requirements of your site. With their expert advice, you can make the right choice on surfacing material and drainage solutions.

Know your options

Knowing which surfacing materials are best for your play area is important. The age range of the children, size of the playground and use of each area will be taken into consideration.

For play areas with apparatus that are used by younger children, soft pour rubber is often recommended. This is because it absorbs impacts from trips and falls to minimise the risk of injury. However, by far the most common playground surfacing material is medium textured asphalt which is hard-wearing and affordable.

To separate different areas or to help define boundaries, you can also choose from a selection of coloured asphalt.

Drainage

Drainage is an essential component for playground surfacing. Having too much surface water can become a health and safety hazard. We’ll talk you through the drainage options, and impart our professional advice to help you choose the right options for your play areas.

Line markings and surface designs

This is where you can be truly creative. When it comes to line markings and surface paintings, the options are endless. From playground games to sports markings and pathway markers, we will work with you to achieve a fully bespoke playground surface that is practical and presentable.

Contact the team at A&MT today to arrange your free site survey and get your bespoke playground project off the ground. We’ll listen carefully to your requirements and ensure you’re 100% happy with the finished product.

What Playground Surface Is Best For a Coloured Finish?

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There are plenty of benefits to adding coloured finishes to your playground surfaces, from marking specific play areas and game zones to adding ground markings that the children can utilise for team games and independent learning and exercises. But, what is the best type of playground surface for this? Let’s take a look.

Soft rubber (Wetpour)

By far the best playground surfacing material for a coloured finish is soft rubber, also known as wet-pour. It’s available in a range of eye-catching colours, so you can design a unique playground space for your school or public leisure facility. It has a bouncy quality which helps to minimise the impact from trips and falls, making it a safe surface. This is particularly recommended for play areas that are used by younger children, such as nursery and pre-school, and primary school age. It’s ideal for playgrounds with any climbing apparatus, such as climbing frames, slides, monkey bars, fireman’s poles and swings. The soft, supportive surface will help cushion some of the impact, reducing the likelihood of injury.

What other options are there?

Coloured aggregates

To mark specific play area zones and sports areas, you can also use coloured aggregates or simply have line markings painted on the ground. Encouraging team and sports activities for children of all ages is paramount to their overall health and development. Line markings can be used for sports, team games, learning activities or even to encourage independent play.

If you’re looking for a coloured finish for your playground surface, speak to A&MT. We’re specialist school playground surfacing contractors who can help you create a play area that not only looks the part, but is also safe to use. Contact us today.

What Playground Markings Can We Add?

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In this quick guide, we’re looking at the different types of playground markings we can add to help make your premises more presentable and fun.

Sports markings

Perhaps you have a designated netball or tennis court? We can provide the line markings to ensure your students have access to a professional sports curriculum. If you’re looking to get your school involved in competitive sports, making sure you have sufficient line markings is important. Our team uses preformed thermoplastic to create highly durable markings for a wealth of recreational and competitive sports games.

Fun activities

For younger children, we can also add a range of fun activities, such as a chess board, snakes and ladders game, maze, hopscotch and loads more. In fact, when it comes to adding educational or interactive games onto your playground surface the options are endless. You can opt for just about any colour of the rainbow too, meaning you can make your playground look that little bit brighter.

Educational activities

If you want to encourage your pupils to spend more time outside, one option could be to take some of your lessons outdoors. The playground doesn’t just have to be for PE lessons. With numerical and letter-based playground markings, you could easily make your maths and English lessons a little more interactive. From competitive spelling tests to practising times tables, the sky’s the limit.

Waymarking

If you want to make pathways that are clearer and better defined, we can add bright lines with pedestrian markings to help students, teachers and visitors alike find their way safely around your play areas.

Speak to A&MT about playground markings

At A&MT, we use commercial-grade paint to ensure the markings not only look fantastic, but are designed to last. Speak to our team today to discuss your requirements and arrange a free site visit. We also complete playground surfacing, meaning we can provide a turnkey solution for your school, college or nursery.

How To Repair Wet Pour Playground Surfaces

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While wet pour playground surfaces should stay in good condition for a considerable time, they may still need repairs completed from time to time. In this brief guide, we’re looking at what to do if your wet pour playground surface needs repairs.

Is it possible to repair a wet pour surface?

If you see cracks appearing, or the wet pour surface is peeling away at the edges, you’ll be pleased to know that these can be easily repaired. Whether your playground has weathered over time or wasn’t installed as well as it could have been in the first place, it’s important to keep your wet pour surface smooth so that it’s safe to use. Aside from that, it’s nice to provide a space that’s inviting for the children and that encourages them to play and spend time outdoors.

You may have fun shapes and patterns in different colours within your surface. If the individual parts are separating or lifting away, this is not only unsightly, it’s also a trip hazard. With the right wet pour installer, this shouldn’t happen, however if this has become a problem in your playground, you should have the shape or border resurfaced.

If you’ve recently had apparatus removed from a wet pour playground, you’ll likely have gaps in the surface. A groundwork provider in Peterborough should be able to seamlessly fill these gaps with smooth and colourful wet pour.

If your edges are peeling away, the base and top layer may need to be cut away and can be replaced with a colourful band.

What should you do?

The best course of action to repair wet pour playground surfaces is to find a local and reputable contractor. A&MT have been trusted since 1976 to provide a reliable playground surfacing service. We’re available 24/7 and listen carefully to your requirements to ensure your premises are both safe to use and presentable. Speak to us today to discuss your wet pour repair project. We work efficiently to ensure minimal disruption.

Using Playground Surfaces For Teaching Your Children

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Playgrounds are not just for playtime. There are creative ways you can use playground surfaces for teaching your children as well. Weather permitting, it’s a great way to encourage children to be outdoors, get some fresh air and be active. There are plenty of engaging games and activities for children of all ages to enjoy, and which can help progress their education, social development and physical abilities.

Learning by numbers and letters

For reception-age children, you can add number based activities, such as hopscotch, or you could have allocated boxes containing letters of the alphabet which can be used to practice spelling. It’s certainly a lot more fun than the traditional spelling tests. It’s the perfect way to move some of your essential English and Maths lessons outside.

Activities like hopscotch also come with other benefits for young children. The practice of standing on one leg, for instance, will help improve their balancing skills.

Team games to improve social development

If you want to plan ahead before hiring a surfacing contractor, there are a wealth of team games for children to enjoy in the playground. Some of these can be enhanced with markings on the ground. Whether it’s a traditional ‘tag’ game, competitive baton racing exercise, or the over, under ball game, there are so many playground activities that can help children learn the importance of teamwork and embracing the competitive spirit.

Sports activities to improve fitness and coordination

Particularly where sporting activities are concerned, you may want to invest in anti-slip surfacing to minimise the risk of injury if a child falls over. Ball games and races are all good for improving coordination and teaching children the basics of sports, but you should provide them with a safe space where they can play, learn and compete with other children. In other words, they should be able to run without the risk of slipping on the surface.

Soft surfaces for safer play areas

Also, any areas with equipment such as open swings, climbing frames and fireman’s poles should have a soft landing area should a child fall. With Wet Pour rubber surfaces, you can even allocate specific play zones using different surfacing colours.

Speak to our team at A&MT today to discuss your playground surfacing options.

How Anti-slip Surfaces Make Playgrounds Safer

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If you’re surfacing for a playground area, one of the key design considerations will be making sure the play area is safe to use. Mostly used by children, it’s important to keep them safe while they play. Choosing the right surface is a great place to start. From access paths to the play area itself, we’re listing the top three ways anti-slip surfaces make playgrounds safer.

  • Minimise the risk of skids and falls

Children enjoy running around the playground, but common smooth surfacing materials like tarmac get slippery when wet. Wetpour anti-slip coating, also known as anti-skid aggregate, will keep children safe from trips and falls. Falls as a result of a slippery surface can cause pain and injury. But with the right anti-slip surface you can reduce the number of falls, which will also decrease the likelihood of your children sustaining cuts, bruises, or even head injuries.

  • Reduce number of injuries

To reduce the severity of the fall you should also consider softer play area materials, such as wet-pour. With RoSPA reporting that as many as 50% of playground injuries result in a hospital visit, combining a softer surface with an anti-slip surface is recommended to lower the chances of a child getting more serious injuries from trip or fall in the playground.

While there is no legal requirement to provide protective surfacing for playgrounds, children should be given a safe environment to play around in.

  • Pushchair and wheelchair friendly

If you have children or parents using a wheelchair, pushchair or walking on crutches, having an anti-slip surface if you have a ramp access way or sloping gradient is essential.

Speak to A&MT today. We’re specialist school playground surfacing contractors and with our wide range of materials on our books and plenty of industry experience under our belt, we work efficiently and can make sure all our clients have the right surfacing for their premises or landscaping project.

How To Improve Your School Playground

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Playground Surfacing

School playgrounds should be fun, engaging places where children can let loose, get some exercise and refresh their minds, preparing them for the classroom sessions that lie ahead. Naturally, as time passes and the weather does its worst, playgrounds wear out and begin to look a little tired.

So, how can you improve your playground and make it last longer too? Resurfacing is a great place to start; here are three benefits that it could bring.

Safety

What could be more important in a school than safety? Not only do you have to educate your pupils, you have to do all you can to ensure that they leave school without cuts and bruises! While accidents will always happen, choosing the right surface for your playground could drastically reduce the likelihood of injury.

Particularly risky areas like obstacle courses and climbing frames could benefit from the installation of an impact-absorbing rubber surface, while sports and games areas may be better with a non-slip or fine asphalt material.

Versatility

You can’t really apply a ‘one size fits all’ approach to playground surfacing; different areas of a playground require different surfaces depending on their use, and laying down a selection of materials is a great way to boost the versatility of your playground. Choose the right surfaces and your pupils will have more freedom to enjoy themselves without fear of getting hurt.

Longevity

Resurfacing a playground is an investment, and there’d be little point if it only lasted a few years. Here at A&MT Contractors, we lay each surface the right way – no corners are cut. You can expect a high-quality end result that your pupils will be able to enjoy for many years to come.

Get a school playground surfacing quote today

No matter your location, A&MT can complete playground surfacing projects nationwide. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.

Five Ideas to Liven Up Your School Playground

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Playground Surfacing

Not all of a child’s learning takes place in the classroom. When planned and designed correctly, the playground isn’t just a place for them to have fun, but an opportunity for them to learn more about themselves, their classmates and the world around them.

A stimulating and exciting playground will allow children to let off some steam and unwind, too, making it easier for them to absorb new information when they re-enter the classroom.

The benefits of the playground are clear, so if yours is looking a little staid and uninteresting, your pupils may be missing out on invaluable opportunities to develop and grow. Here are five ways to liven up your school playground!

  1. Get creative with surfaces
    Close your eyes and picture a play area constructed entirely using concrete. Now, picture one that features sections of coloured rubber, resin or acrylic. If you think the latter option sounds more exciting, imagine what your pupils will think when they see the vibrant new surface for the first time!
  2. Mark out play areas
    From snakes and ladders to hopscotch, there are so many games and activities you can mark out on your playground. And if you have a limited amount of space available, why not switch to new games every month or so?
  3. Install new equipment
    If your budget allows, installing new equipment like a climbing frame, obstacle course or shelter is always a good idea. Your pupils won’t just have fun with this equipment, they’ll develop their agility and problem-solving skills – and a shelter with seating could provide the ideal location for them to rest and reflect.
  4. It’s not all about sports
    Remember that not every child is into sports, so dedicating 90% of your play area to football or basketball isn’t ideal – it will likely leave some children feeling like a spare part. Those same children may be into art, though, so consider installing a wall for them to draw on and get creative.
  5. Don’t forget nature
    Connecting with nature is both relaxing and fulfilling, so if you can introduce more wildlife into your playground, go for it! Planting trees and adding a wildlife area could prove immensely rewarding for both your pupils and staff.

Get a school playground surfacing quote today

A&MT Contractors are the experts in groundworks in Peterborough with many years of experience resurfacing and constructing school playgrounds. We can even install designated game and sports areas, including hopscotch, netball, basketball and tennis.

With a whole host of surfaces to choose from – some of which are available in as many as 40 colours – and a proven track record across not only the East Midlands and South East but the entirety of the UK, the team at A&MT has your playground surfacing needs covered.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and friendly advice.

How To Maintain Playground Surfaces

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Playground Surfacing

Resurfacing your school’s playground is a significant investment. Though the new surface should last many years if it’s laid by a reputable company, you can extend its lifespan further with periodic cleaning and maintenance, protecting your investment and keeping your pupils safe.

The maintenance you should carry out (and the methods for doing so) will vary depending on the surface you’ve chosen for your playground. Many modern playgrounds utilise wet pour rubber surfaces – at least in certain areas – due to their impact-absorbing properties, reducing the likelihood of injury. So, in this guide, we’re focusing entirely on the wet pour rubber surface.

Cleaning

Children will be children, and they’re likely to end up falling over or sitting down on the rubber surface on a regular basis. Keeping it clean is vital, as this lessens the risk of them getting hurt; stones and debris can soon build up on the surface, negating the safety benefits it ordinarily brings.

We’d recommend jet washing the area periodically to remove dirt, though a low pressure setting must be used to avoid damaging the surface. In between cleans, it’s also a good idea to sweep loose debris from the surface with a broom.

Preparing for winter

When the ground begins to ice up, it may be tempting to put some salt or grit onto the playground surface to keep it safe. This is best avoided though, as the material could be damaged as a result. Instead, seek out a non-toxic chemical de-icer which is safe for use on wet pour.

Get a school playground surfacing quote today

If you’re interested in getting your school’s playground resurfaced, speak to the team at A&MT Contractors. Though our depots are located in Peterborough and Romford, we’re able to take on projects across the UK. Contact us today for friendly advice and a free, no-obligation quote.

Car Parking Surface Materials: What Should You Go For?

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car park surfacing and line marking

Adding a car park to your business premises is a big investment, and you’ll doubtless want it to last for many years to come. Choosing the right surface material, then, will be pivotal. The surfaces explored below have their own sets of pros and cons, and a surface which is ideal for some may be inappropriate for others.

If you still can’t decide on a surface after reading this blog, why not get in touch with us? Based in Peterborough, Lincoln and Romford, we have over 40 years’ experience as car park surfacing contractors.

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Which Material Is Best For Playgrounds?

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playground surfacing for school

If you manage a school, college or university premises, one of the many considerations will include ensuring you have a sufficiently designed playground. Aside from providing a safe space for children and young people to play and catch-up with their friends, you’ll also want it to be durable to cut down on maintenance costs. But how do you know which surfacing material is best? Our playground surfacing experts have the answers.

Discover the best materials for playgrounds below, including the pros for each, to help you decide which is the right option for your educational establishment.

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