A story we read from the Croydon Your Local Guardian, is that a two metre long, metre wide pothole on Parkway in New Addington, Croydon has seen drivers swerving to avoid the gaping hole or screeching to a halt when confronted by its enormity – quite like the video we posted of a pothole in Russia.
The recent Arctic conditions earlier in January have continued to cause chaos on the roads, with potholes cropping up all over the place, and this is possibly the biggest in the UK.
As we have explained, water freezes below the road it forms into ice, expands and causes cracks that then turn into potholes once the weather warms again.
Croydon local resident Eileen Smith said: "I agree that this road needs completely digging out and to be repaired to a proper standard."
"I really do not feel that throwing a couple of shovels of gravel into these holes is the answer."
"Everybody who owns a car pays road tax and therefore the roads should be maintained to a good standard."
How the Pros fix potholes in roads, drives and paths
You can easily do a DIY pothole repair using Permanent Pothole Repair PRR or Instant Road Repair IRR, but now, with a little bit more money, you can get a Pro pothole repair.
Here's how...
Choose a Pothole Repair Kit – we've added the secret ingredient, Ultracrete SCJ with it. It's a sealer which goes around the edge of the pothole to get the extra durable finish.
Everything you need for a professional pothole repair
We've listened to your feedback, and apparently some of you don't want to buy a full box of 12 Ultracrete SCJ Sealer to repair one pothole and want to buy just one with your Tarmac Repair Instant Road Repair.
Fair enough we say!
We've had a Pow-wow with our friends at Ultracrete and together we have now come up with four fantastic pothole repair bundles, so you can get a really professional pothole repair with spending a fortune.
Ultracrete Permanent Road Repair available for sale now!
It's here! Ultracrete Permanent Pothole Repair (PRR) is a good solution for repairing potholes in roads, driveways, paths and car parks. It's so easy, DIYers can easiliy do it. One major advantage is you can drive or walk on it straight away even in wet, freezing or hot conditions, and at the same time is compatible with the existing road surface.
Ultracrete Permanent Pothole Repair includes fully graded, High PSV interlocking aggregate and specially formulated bitumen, and is supplied in 25kg recyclable containers (Instarmac Plastic Containers Recycling Scheme is available for this product).
Things to do with it...
Driveway pothole repair
Tarmac drive repair
Garden path repair
Things you might get paid to do with it...
Footway repair
Cycle track repair
Road repair
Car park repair
Tell me about the good points!...
Use in wet, freezing and hot conditions
No special preparation
Instant trafficking
Only one visit required
Recyclable containers
Compatible with existing road surface
Solvent free
How do I use it?
Brush out any debris from the pothole
Optional: For increased durability, spray sides with SCJ
Fill in the pothole with Instant Road Repair
Smack down with spade or tamper
Ready for immediate use
It really is that simple!
Aggregate grades
3mm Black for paths, drive, cycle tracks, pavements, driveways
Sika's SikaDur 31 Rapid, for the technically minded, is a solvent-free, moisture tolerant, thixotropic, structural two part adhesive and repair mortar, based on epoxy resins and special fillers, designed for use at temperatures between +10°C and +30°C.
SikaDur as a structural adhesive is used for:
Concrete elements
Hard natural stone
Ceramics, fibre cement
Mortar, Bricks, Blocks, Masonry etc.
Steel, Iron, Aluminium
Wood
Polyester, Epoxy
Glass
As a fast setting repair mortar for:
Corners and edges
Hole and void filling
Joint arrises
Joint filling and crack sealing:
Rigid joint filling
Crack filling and sealing (non moving)
Sikadur-31 Normal has the following advantages:
Really easy to mix and apply
Will stick to dry and damp concrete
Very good at sticking to most construction materials
High strength adhesive
Thixotropic: non-sag and suitable for vertical and overhead application
Solvent free
No shrinkage when hardened
Different coloured components (for mixing control)
No primer needed
High initial and ultimate strengths
Good abrasion resistance
Adhesive and filler in one
Impermeable to liquids and water vapour
Good chemical resistance
So, it's pretty good and over qualified for DIY jobs! You'll be amazed how impressed your friend will be when you drop into the conversation "...oh, they use it in bridges you know..."!
If you thought we had big potholes in the UK – think again!
Check out this video is from Russia which shows the effect of monster potholes on cars. Looks like the guy pulled over and shot it on his mobile phone.
The problem with road potholes is they quickly get a lot worse and are very hazardous if they contain a puddle.
Ultracrete Permanent Road Repair PRR on Sale Next Week
We are placed to announce the imminent arrival of Permanent Road Repair from Ultracrete. We expect to be selling it next week in its smart tarmac black tubs.
PRR Applications
Ultracrete Permanent Pothole Repair is a suitable solution for roads, pavements, driveways and car parks. The product can be trafficked instantly in wet, freezing and hot conditions and at the same time is compatible with the existing road surface.
Ultracrete Permanent Pothole Repair can be applied at depths of 20mm 100mm. (Greater depths can be achieved by applying the layer-on-layer method.)
Technical information
Ultracrete Permanent Pothole Repair includes fully graded, high PSV interlocking aggregate and specially formulated bitumen and is supplied in recyclable 25kg tubs.
Application
Pothole repairs can be achieved at any depth.
Make sure the pothole is free of debris and any standing water.
Compact with a hand tamper, spade, shovel or suitable mechanical alternative.
Health & Safety
The binder used in Ultracrete PPR is particularly tenacious. Ensure that protective gloves, overalls and protective footwear are worn at all times while handling the material. Avoid skin contact. However, should the bitumen binder adhere to the skin it can be removed with soap and water. Seek medical advice if discomfort continues. If product comes into contact with the eyes rinse with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
Features & Benefits
3mm grade stone
Used in wet, freezing and hot conditions
No special preparation
Drive or walk on it straight away
Get the pothole fixed in one hit
Recyclable containers
Compatible with flexible road surfaces
Solvent free
Ready to use
No need to add water
Polished Stone Value 60 psv
Absolutely no waste
Environmentally friendly No co² gases
Storage
Store in a cool and well-ventilated place.
Shelf Life
Shelf life in the right conditions for sealed goods is 6 months.
Instarmac appear on BBC News reporting concerning potholes and state of roads across the UK
Potholes account for a massive 12% of all CTC, the National cyclists' organisation, insurance claims across the UK add that to motorists who are damaging tyres and wheels, the claims are huge.
BBC Radio said that a pothole is recorded every 110 metres on average! The icy UK spells we've just had are compounding the problem.
Ultracrete has launched its new permanent pothole repair product in January 2010.
In addition to the market-leading Instant Road Repair IRR cold lay macadam, this new enhanced formulation product will provide the ultimate solution for the filling of potholes across the UK.
Permanent Pothole Repair PPR has been specially formulated to include fully graded, high PSV interlocking aggregate, specially prepared bitumen and the latest in industry technology to ensure strong flexibility and guarantee the best product performance.
Ultracrete Permanent Pothole Repair is designed for roads, pavements, driveways and car parks where potholes are a problem.
Its simple to use saving time and effort for Contractors or DIYers when repairing potholes.
Packed in 25kg contractor friendly plastic containers that are recyclable, users have a quality product that can be applied immediately – reducing the amount of potential damage claims that are ever on the increase as the state of UK roads becomes more potholed.
We'll let you know as soon as we stock Permanent Pothole Repair PPR.
We've all heard of Tarmac but probably don't know much about it
Tarmac is short for Tarmacadam, a portmanteau for Tar-penetration Macadam, a type of road surface. Tarmac refers to a material patented by Edgar Purnell Hooley in 1901.
A bit of Tarmac trivia is that Baghdad is the first city known to have its streets paved with tar in the 8th century AD.
Over a 1,000 years later, John Loudon McAdam invented Macadamisation, a method of road construction. These roads were adequate for use by horse and carriage or coaches, but they were very dusty and eroded in heavy rain.
With higher speed motor vehicle use they didn't hold up. Methods to stabilise macadam roads with tar date back to at least 1834, when John Henry Cassell, operating from Cassell's Patent Lava Stone Works in Millwall, patented 'Pitch Macadam'.
This method involved spreading tar on the subgrade, then placing a typical macadam layer and then sealing the macadam with a mixture of tar and sand. Tar-grouted macadam was also in use well before 1900, and involved scarifying the surface of an existing macadam pavement, spreading tar and re-compacting.
The use of tar in road construction was used on a large scale with the arrival of the motor car in the early 20th century.
Hooley's 1901 patent for Tarmac involved mechanically mixing tar and aggregate prior to lay-down, and then compacting the mixture with a steam roller. The tar was modified with the addition of small amounts of Portland cement, resin and pitch.
Ultracrete EP-R9 is a fantastic product for jobs such as bedding granite setts, paving slabs, patio slabs, coping stones etc. as well as being a great repair product
Here's some information from the Instant Road Repair Data Sheet...
Applications
Ultracrete EP-R9 is a two-part high strength epoxy resin mortar and primer system, ideally suited for bedding granite setts, paving elements up to recess covers, tree grids and coping stones as well as concrete repair for areas subject to heavy wear-and-tear.
The product contains a blend of specialist sands and fine fillers that provide exceptional strength, bond and chemical resistance, which makes it ideal for pavement edge details, vehicle ramps and pedestrian crossings.
Ultracrete EP-R9 accommodates depths from 5mm-50mm.
Preparation
As with all concrete repairs, it is vitally important to remove all grease, dirt, dust and other loose materials prior to application. Smooth substrates must be mechanically roughened, eg. by scabbling or needle gun, washed with clean water and allowed to dry.
Note: Ultracrete EP-R9 should be applied only in dry conditions in order to guarantee product performance and durability of application.
Priming
The supplied primer should be applied to substrates before the application of Ultracrete EP-R9. Mix all the content of primer A and B thoroughly in a separate vessel (not provided). Ensure moisture is not introduced at any stage to the components. Brush the mixed contents well into the prepared substrate taking care to avoid `puddling' in depressions.
Ultracrete EP-R9 should be applied when primer has started to gel, but still has surface `tack'. Note: The primer should be applied to all areas within 3-4 minutes. Unused material will generate heat; therefore care must be taken when handling the material.
Mixing
Mix thoroughly the buff coloured Ultracrete EP-R9 Base (pack C) and dark grey coloured Ultracrete EP-R9 Hardener (pack D) to produce a cohesive dark blue/grey coloured trowellable mortar. This is best achieved by using a forced action paddle type mixer. Alternatively, vigorous hand mixing with a steel float will provide the desired consistency (please ensure the appropriate PPE is worn at all times). Lightly spray the solvent provided in the pack onto mixing tools in order to prevent material sticking.
Placing
The mixed material should be applied firmly into the primed surface to ensure positive adhesion. The primer should not be left to dry before this takes place. Pay particular attention to edges and thin sections. The surface may be closed using a steel trowel.
Cleaning
Use the solvent supplied for cleaning the tools and equipment after use.
Health & Safety
Keep containers closed when not in use. The solvent is flammable and must be kept away from ignition sources. Avoid inhalation of fumes and contact with skin and eyes. Ensure work is carried out in well-ventilated areas with appropriate local extraction. The use of protective clothing, including gloves, goggles and respiratory equipment should be worn If not well ventilated. The product can be removed from the skin by washing with plenty of water. If swallowed do not induce vomiting and seek immediate medical attention. In case of contact with eyes rinse immediately with water and seek medical advice.
Knowing how potholes are formed will help you prevent them forming
Freezing conditions are the favourite breeding conditions for potholes, as you will have read, local authorities are bracing themselve for a pothole repair bonanza.
A lot of you have asked us how potholes are formed and how you can repair them.
Here's a bit of information on how potholes are formed.
As your tarmac drive ages it gets more porous. Rainwater penetrates cracks caused by regular from cars pulling onto your driveway.
When water freezes on your drive it expands and more cracks form. The tarmac gets pushed outwards like a bubble.
When the ice thaws out, it creates voids or gaps under the surface of your tarmac drive or path. These get larger with each time it freezes and thaws again.
The weight of your car causes your drive tarmac to collapse and form potholes which gets larger the more times you roll over it with your car.
So, what do we suggest to fix a pothole easily with a long lasting repair?
Freezing weather and snow causes even more potholes in UK roads
It will cost millions of pounds, but it is a job UK Councils will need to fix them. Extra teams will be out fixing potholes, as failure to fix the potholes will cause the holes to get bigger and more expensive to fix.
Potholes are a big problem for local authorities across the country with the repeated freeze-thaw cycle of the current cold spell, its timing and its length making the problem worse this year.
Potholes are formed by water penetrating the asphalt surface of a road through cracks caused by traffic. When temperatures plunge, the water freezes, expands and causes the surface to rupture. When the ice melts, it leaves a void below the surface, which caves in under the stress of vehicles and eventually forms a pothole.
A small crack becomes a large crack, a large crack has become a small pothole and a small pothole very rapidly becomes a large pothole.
During the cold snap in February last year there was an estimated 40% increase in road damage, according to the AA. It says its insurance branch received more than three times as many claims for pothole damage than the same month the year before.
Local authorities are urging people to report potholes. This can usually be done via your council's websites.
There are also a number of other websites offering advice on dealing with and reporting potholes.
According to Kamasa Tools, consumers are most likely to consider buying a new set of spanners when they come to do a job and discover one missing, says Kamasa.
With that in mind, Kamasa's latest counter-top display is designed to action that thought when placed near the till in a DIY Store.
Spanner Money-Saving Tips
Make sure you put the spanner back after use – never think I'll put it back later!
Don't lend individual spanners out – you won't get them back!
Shop somewhere with no counter-tops or tills – such as DIYsupermarket.com
Types of Spanner
Spanners
Adjustable Spanners
Combination Spanners
Open Ended
Ring Spanners
Ratchet Spanners
Yes, we know. We don't sell any spanners yet, but we will in the near future!
We are pleased to announce that we are now able to offer RBS Worldpay as our main payment gateway.
RBS WorldPay is the payment processing business of the currently state owned Royal Bank of Scotland Group, one of the largest banks in the world and a leading global brand.
RBS Worldpay provides the customer with an effective, secure payment service and we trust them to take care of your credit card details responsibly.
We all know Sikaflex 11fc is good at sticking things together, and we're on the look out for any Sikaflex 11fc Cartridges in action.
We spotted this one using Sikaflex 11fc to stick PVC to Fibreglass. The PVC formed a channel between two fibreglass preformed pond liners set at different heights.
Give us a minute and see how easy it is to fix a pothole on your drive or path
Check out our latest DIY video and you'll be amazed how easy it is. And it's less than a minute!
Ultracrete Instant Road Repair by Instarmac is used on motorways as a tarmac repair compound, so it's great for your driveway or path! Really quick to use, cheap and totally durable and 'Best in class'. Use Instant Road Repair for a good quality long-term temporary repair to mend potholes in driveways, paths, drives, roads, cycle tracks and car parks. Instant Road Repair comes in a handy bucket.
Ultracrete Instant Road Repair is a Permanent Cold Lay Surfacing Material which conforms to Highways Agency specification – you can pop this fact into a conversation with the neighbour!
Designed for permanent reinstatement in footways, footpaths, cycle tracks and roads. Also highly effective as a quality long-term temporary repair for the above applications.
What I can fix...
Driveway pothole repairs
Garden path pothole repairs
What I probably won't be fixing unless I'm getting paid...
Footway repair
Cycle track repair
Road repair
Car park repair
What's really great about this stuff...
Instant trafficking – Drive your car on it
Apply in one operation – Easy
Simple packaging disposal – Chuck it in your plastic recycling bin
Use in wet conditions – Can't put the job off!
High skid resistance – Conforms to road safety requirements
Binder is spirit based – Excellent performance in cold weather
Unique aggregate interlocking system – Long-term durability
Part of the Ultracrete Ironwork System 5 year reassurance
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...
Twelve Drummers Drumming Eleven Pipers Piping Ten Lords-a-Leaping Nine Ladies Dancing Eight Maids-a-milking Seven Swans-a-Swimming Six Geese-a-Laying Five Gold Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...
Eleven Pipers Piping Ten Lords-a-Leaping Nine Ladies Dancing Eight Maids-a-milking Seven Swans-a-Swimming Six Geese-a-Laying Five Gold Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...
Ten Lords-a-Leaping Nine Ladies Dancing Eight Maids-a-milking Seven Swans-a-Swimming Six Geese-a-Laying Five Gold Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...
Nine Ladies Dancing Eight Maids-a-milking Seven Swans-a-Swimming Six Geese-a-Laying Five Gold Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...
Eight Maids-a-milking Seven Swans-a-Swimming Six Geese-a-Laying Five Gold Rings Four Calling Birds Three French Hens Two Turtle Doves And a partridge in a pear tree.
