Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Nov 19, 2019 12:52 pm Hi all, I just completed our PCI with our builder this morning. When I say "our builder", we bought the house completed from a developer who designs and builds their own houses subdivision, and you buy the completed house from them. You have no say in any part of the build, can't pick colours, can't add powerpoints etc. The driveway has about 23 footprints that have been poorly patched. It covers probably 75% of the driveway. The driveway is coloured (oxide applied to the surface), and finished with a wood float cove finish. The footprints have been patched with some kind of render, with colour and seal over the top. Some footprints are still visible, and none of it matches the original driveway finish. Beyond this, I don't believe that you can reliably patch a driveway like that and expect it to last years/decades of cars being driven over it. I told him he'd have to redo the driveway. He told me he'd have to speak to their construction manager to find out what solutions they could offer. He called me later and told me they'd grind back the surface of the driveway and spray it with stencil-crete which he said is 50-55mpa. He actually said "You have 2 options, we grind it back and spray it, or we leave it how it is". So I have 2 main questions. 1. Do I really only have those 2 options or do I have room to argue? All I can really do is withhold payment, in which case I assume they'll withhold the keys. 2. Assuming I can't push for anything further, would this be an acceptable repair method? Is the finish going to last? I'm worried that we'll get a few years past the defect warranty period and the surface will start chipping away and I'll be left with the bill to repair it. I have spoken to our solicitor but they're next to useless and my calls and emails go unanswered. Any help, opinions, advice would be great. Footprints pre-repair: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Footprints patched with ...something, looked like sand and cement to me: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Patchy repair job: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Footprints in Driveway 5Nov 20, 2019 2:46 pm I think the grind back and stencil sounds like a fair option. It won't decrease the structural integrity of the concrete, and it's a better option than them offering to just paint it. Realistically it would be wasteful to rip out an entire concrete driveway and replace it. Re: Footprints in Driveway 6Nov 21, 2019 7:07 am Get another opinion if it eases your mind before going for the builders solution. It’s obviously very frustrating for you, but when cars are actually parked on the driveway it’s probably not even noticeable. Re: Footprints in Driveway 7Feb 24, 2020 7:43 am Just an FYI for anyone who comes across this in the future - I believe the foreman was more or less on my side, although he couldn't admit it to me. I argued with him very briefly about it but I got the impression he wasn't too pleased with the condition of the driveway either but wasn't in a position to make a call on replacing it. He spoke to his construction manager on my behalf and the driveway has since been hammered out replaced. It looks top notch, very pleased. To my understanding early saw cuts are to control shrinkage cracks, so doing them now would be pointless. Control joints may reduce ugly cracking during periods of soil… 3 9862 Hi all I need a guidance on how far I need to space expansion joints in the concrete driveway and its type (keyway/foam.) Contraction joints are at 3m max for a 125 slab. Thanks 0 10940 |