Help with patio and driveway materials

[hilljack13]

What I mean is that my patio and driveway are made of some combination of sand or grit and tiny pebbles. When I pressure washed a few years ago some of the sand and pebbles were also removed off the top. So I know it is not concrete. I need to pressure wash again and thought about painting the patio. I was thinking I will need to add a top layer to smooth it out but not sure what to do. Any ideas?

 

[lumpher]

What I mean is that my patio and driveway are made of some combination of sand or grit and tiny pebbles. When I pressure washed a few years ago some of the sand and pebbles were also removed off the top. So I know it is not concrete. I need to pressure wash again and thought about painting the patio. I was thinking I will need to add a top layer to smooth it out but not sure what to do. Any ideas?

Disclaimer: I'm not an expert in these things, but I've looked into them in the past. It looks to me like what is called Decomposed Granite with Resin. They make Stabilizers/Sealers you can use on top of it. I could be wrong about what it is, but it's a place to start.

 

[Agent]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say it's old asphalt.

If you are a Model T guy who enjoys any color (as long as it's black), then you can get yourself a bunch of driveway seal coat and throw down a coat or two.

It's certainly one of my favorite summer jobs, in addition to roofing.

 

[hilljack13]

I had pretty much forgotten I posted this. After a quick search the decomposed granite does look like it fits the bill. I guess it was cheap. The subdivision was built early '90s and all the sidewalks are the same stuff. I'll have to look and see what I can find to wash and fill this with.

Thanks!

 

[InspectorJon]

I do not mean to imply that it does not exist, but I have never heard of decomposed granite with resin. Plain decomposed granite will not form a hard surface. It will always be soft enough to come apart without much work using a pick or shovel. You cannot seal the surface. It is just sand and small aggregate. I don't think the picture looks like decomposed granite. The aggregate is not uniform enough in texture. There are different kinds of rock in it. The picture looks like asphalt to me. Concrete that had a lot of water added to it will leave a soft surface that washes off over time and looks like your picture also. Is there someplace that you can find an edge to chip away at a little? That should tell you if its asphalt or concrete. Although not unheard of, asphalt is not a particularly common sidewalk material. At least not where I have lived. It is more common in areas with a lot of snow and freezing. I worked in construction for 45 years but practices and materials vary a lot by location.

 

[mac_1103]

I think it's concrete. Exposed aggregate. You can fill in cracks with a vinyl/acrylic concrete patch mix. Resurfacing it is pretty involved from what I've read, but I can't say that I've ever done it or seen it done.

 

[InspectorJon]

From the concrete resurfacing jobs I have seen over the years it does not seem like a real durable solution unless one uses a good product specifically intended for this purpose and Follows the manufacturer's instructions very closely. I have seen a lot of people spend a lot of time and money and get poor results because they did not follow the directions and specifications.

 

[PCABrewing]

to rule-out/in asphalt, what happens if you spill a small amount of gasoline or mineral spirits on it?
Does the puddle take on a brown color? (I'm talking about a tablespoon, not a quart.)

 

[lumpher]

I do not mean to imply that it does not exist, but I have never heard of decomposed granite with resin. Plain decomposed granite will not form a hard surface.

It's often called Stabilized DG. It can be mixed with a few different things to stabilize it and make it more of a solid than just gravel. Resin is 1 of those things.

Stabilized decomposed granite (DG) is a popular landscaping material made from decomposed granite that has been mixed with a stabilizing agent, such as a polymer or resin, to create a more durable and long-lasting surface.
DG is an aggregate available in a variety of colors — buff, brown, hues of gold, rose, variations of pink, steel blue, and more. It is a well-known less expensive material for landscapes, sport surfaces, driveways, patios and so much more. Decomposed granite also comes in 3 types — natural or loose DG, stabilized DG and resin-coated DG.

 

[mac_1103]

When I pressure washed a few years ago some of the sand and pebbles were also removed off the top. So I know it is not concrete.

That doesn't mean it isn't concrete. How old is it?

 

[hilljack13]

to rule-out/in asphalt, what happens if you spill a small amount of gasoline or mineral spirits on it?
Does the puddle take on a brown color? (I'm talking about a tablespoon, not a quart.)

Dropped small amount on it. No color change. Seems to "soak" in pretty good.

 

[hilljack13]

That doesn't mean it isn't concrete. How old is it?

I assume it was poured when the house was built. ~'90 or '91.

There are some spots that have a non-worn surface and it does look like concrete. Once underneath though, the sand and pebble becomes very obvious.

 

[mac_1103]

There are some spots that have a non-worn surface and it does look like concrete. Once underneath though, the sand and pebble becomes very obvious.

So IOW, it's poor quality 30+ year old concrete.