Help & Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

Products

  • What size area will a litre of TARMASEAL cover?

    This will depend on the age, porosity, texture and general condition of the Tarmac. A relevant factor will also be how Tarmaseal is applied, the normal rate of coverage that can be expected is between 2 and 3 m² per litre when applying a two coat application. Therefore if applied by a roller a 20ltr container is likely to cover between 40 - 60m².

  • How long do I need to leave between coats?

    In most conditions that are suitable for application of Tarmaseal it will be touch dry within two hours and the second coat can be applied. However if conditions are cool or slightly damp, this time frame could be extended.

  • How long before I can re-use my driveway?

    For vehicle use we would recommend a minimum of 24 hours, it is generally suitable for foot traffic in approx 4 hours.

  • What weather conditions can TARMASEAL be applied in?

    We would recommend totally dry conditions, with temperatures of 10° C or higher. Tarmaseal can be applied in slightly lower temperatures, but lower temperatures will extend the drying times. Be warned that if rains falls on Tarmaseal before it is fully dry, the area will probably need to be re-coated.

  • If I want to keep my tarmac looking like new can TARMASEAL be applied every year?

    Yes, regular applications maybe every 2-3 years will keep the Tarmac in excellent condition. Also if Tarmaseal is re-applied regularly, subsequent coats will require a lot less material.

  • Does the existing tarmac have to be in good condition?

    No. Tarmaseal will improve any Tarmac driveway, but it will only uniform and transform the colour, it will not improve the actual structure of the Tarmac. In other words if the surface is 'breaking up' with a lot of cracks and holes appearing, it probably needs totally re-surfacing.

  • Can TARMASEAL be applied on partially damp surfaces?

    We would always recommend application to dry surfaces although a little damp will not be a problem if does not affect the overall drying process. In reference to aesthetics, adhesion or product performance it is not a problem.

  • My drive has oil stains, is this a problem?

    Oil contaminants could lead to a poor bond between TARMASEAL and the driveway, we would certainly recommend a treatment with our Oil Remover which is specifically designed to be used on Tarmac.

  • Do I have to pre-treat with a Green Growth Remover?

    No, but if there is Green Growth or Algae Growth present it is recommended, we can supply you with an effective Green Growth Remover if required.

  • Is TARMASEAL dangerous to pets or children etc?

    No, TarmaSeal is a water-based product which containd no dangerous chemicals. It will not harm pets and as it dries quickly, animals walking on the surface and then licking their paws is not a concern. However we do recommend children and pets do not walk on the surface until it is totally dry.

  • Can TARMASEAL be applied on plain concrete?

    Yes. The concrete must be totally clean and dry prior to application. To achieve a uniform finish, several coats may be required.

  • Do I have to use a roller to apply TARMASEAL?

    No, but a Roller is the easiest way, especially for larger areas. For small areas, a paintbrush or soft broom could be used.

  • Does the material need to be mixed or stirred?

    Yes. TarmaSeal is a combination of resins, pigment, a slip-enhancing additive and other materials. These ingredients can settle at the bottom of the drum, this makes it important to thoroughly mix the material to ensure that all material is mixed from the bottom of the container in order to get best results from the product. TarmaSeal can be stirred with a stiff stick or a broom handle (for the 20 Litre containers). Alternatively, a mixing paddle attached to an electric drill is much quicker and easier.

  • How long will TARMASEAL last once applied?

    TarmaSeal is highly durable, but as with all external products, it does not have an indefinite lifespan. The highest exposed aggregate parts of the surface will wear first, although wear to these areas is seldom noticed and will not detract from the excellent transformation that TarmaSeal makes to an old, tired-looking driveway.

    Generally, an area that receives little vehicular use will last indefinitely. A ‘standard’ driveway, with maybe one car or two cars on and off once a day, is likely to look virtually the same for at least three or more years. Of course, a driveway that’s used a lot more may show some signs of wear after a couple of years. However, the tarmac will still look much better and a vast improvement on its condition prior to the original application of TarmaSeal!

  • I recently applied TARMASEAL to my drive and now there are tyre marks already on it.

    Don’t worry! This happens on all driveways regardless of surface. After a while, it will all weather in uniformly and you will not notice the tyre marks.

  • If it rains before TARMASEAL is fully dry, what will happen?

    Dependent on how hard it rains and how close the Tarmaseal is to being fully dry, the worst-case scenario is that the product will be literally washed away. If partially dry, you may be left with a patchy milky white residue on the surface. In both cases, the Tarmac will probably have to be recoated when the surface is fully dry to obtain a uniform, acceptable finish.

  • Does the tarmac have to cleaned with a jet wash before applying TARMASEAL?

    No, but for the best possible results your driveway does need to be as clean as possible. You can use a stiff broom and a hosepipe, but a pressure washer will make the job far easier.

  • Can TARMASEAL be applied to poorly laid new tarmac?

    Yes, but we would advise that the new tarmac is left for at least 30 days before TarmaSeal is applied. Also, check that all oily residue has disappeared from the Tarmac, as this may lessen the bond between the products.

Delivery

  • If I have ordered more than one item, will they arrive together or separately?

    We try to pack items together so you'll receive your whole order at the same time. However, it is quite possible that your items will arrive separately.

    Don't be too concerned if you've only received part of your order - the others will be on their way!

    If you've not received part of your order and the estimated delivery has elapsed, please contact our Support Team.

  • Do I have to be in to sign for delivery?

    Yes, this is the best option to avoid any delays in getting the product to you. All deliveries require a signature to confirm you’ve received your order correctly. However, we can instruct the courier to leave in a safe place if clear instructions are given at the time the order is placed.

  • I need my product fast, what can I do?

    We can provide faster delivery if required. All you have to do is just select the ‘Next Working Day Delivery’ option at the checkout. There is a small additional charge for this service over and above the standard option.

  • What happens if I’m not in to receive delivery?

    All of our couriers leave an ‘Attempted Delivery’ card and will often try and deliver to your immediate neighbours if you are not in. If this is not possible the card will have a contactable number for you to call and rearrange delivery.

  • When do you deliver?

    We deliver Monday – Friday to most areas of the UK (except on Bank holidays).

  • Do you deliver to my postcode?

    We offer a delivery service to all mainland UK addresses (including Northern Ireland). We can also deliver to some UK islands. Please check on the delivery regions on this Delivery page. Higher delivery charges may apply to outlying areas and islands.

  • Do you deliver at weekends?

    Unfortunately, our couriers don't deliver at weekends, so the Next Day Delivery service is restricted to Monday-Friday only. If you need your delivery before the weekend, then please make sure you place your order, using the next day delivery service, no later than 1pm on Thursday.

  • What happens if my order does not arrive within the delivery time expected?

    Firstly, don’t worry as it may be that the product has been signed for by a neighbour and you haven’t been made aware. If you are concerned about the whereabouts of your order, please call us and we will contact the courier on your behalf to try to find out what has happened. Please note that we do everything we can to ensure our anticipated delivery times are met, but sometimes delays do occur due to traffic, accidents or unforeseen situations.

  • What happens if my product arrives damaged or leaking?

    Unfortunately, as we mostly deal with liquids, now and again, although it is quite rare, they leak or get damaged in transit. If this happens, all we ask is you take a picture of the damaged item and send it to info@tarmaseal.co.uk and we will investigate the matter further with the courier. In the meantime, if the product is deemed unusable, we will offer a replacement FOC (Free Of Charge).

  • Can I change my delivery address after I placed an order?

    We will endeavour to assist you with changing the address prior to dispatch. Unfortunately, once your order is in transit with the courier, the delivery address cannot be changed.