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Tarmac Repair Cost Calculator

Potholes? Faded surface? Crack propagation? Use our tool to calculate if it's more cost-effective to patch, overlay, or fully replace your damaged tarmac.

Repair Estimate

Enter the repair area and select your treatment preferences to generate an estimate.

Choosing the Right Repair Method

  • Patch Repair: Used for localized damage, like a single pothole or edge break. The contractor cuts away the weak material and compacts new hot mix into the void. Cheap, but visually leaves a patchwork effect.
  • Overlay: The 'sweet spot' for ageing driveways that look terrible but are structurally solid. The surface is cleaned, sprayed with a sticky bituminous tack coat, and a fresh 30mm surface course is laid over the top. It looks brand new for half the cost.
  • Full Replacement: Mandatory if the driveway is heavily rutted where car tyres sit, or if it resembles a cracked jigsaw puzzle. This means the hardcore sub-base underneath has failed and must be rebuilt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a tarmac drive?

Patch repairing potholes or longitudinal cracks is substantially cheaper initially. However, if the cracking is extensive (alligator cracking), it indicates a sub-base failure. In this case, repairing is temporary and a waste of money; full replacement is the only viable long-term solution.

How much does tarmac resurfacing cost?

Resurfacing or 'overlaying' an existing sound tarmac driveway involves cleaning, applying a tack coat (bitumen emulsion), and laying a new surface course. This is highly cost-effective and typically ranges from £35 to £55 per m², avoiding the massive excavation costs of a new driveway.

Can you overlay old tarmac?

Yes, provided the old tarmac is structurally sound, free of severe subsidence or extensive deep cracking, and the new level will not breach the damp proof course (DPC) of your property. If the existing drive is failing, the new overlay will quickly develop 'reflective cracking'.

What is tarmac patch repair?

Patch repair involves cutting out the specific damaged area (leaving clean, vertical edges), applying a bond coat, and filling the void with either cold-lay tarmac (for temporary/DIY fixes) or hot mix asphalt (for permanent, durable repairs), followed by heavy compaction.

Related Tarmac Tools

Tarmac Driveway Cost Calculator

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Calculate required hot mix tarmac tonnage and volume.

Tarmac Sub-Base Calculator

Calculate MOT Type 1 aggregate needs for a structurally sound sub-base.

Tarmac Surface Cost Calculator

Calculate specialized tarmac surfacing costs for car parks, pathways, and private roads.