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Can you use self binding gravel on a slope?

Can I lay Breedon Gravel on a slope? Breedon self-binding products are not recommended to be laid on slopes steeper than a 1 in 15 gradient. This is because the action of storm water flowing across the surface can cause damage to the material and can result in the occurrence of potholes and ruts.

breedon-special-aggregates.co.uk - Breedon Golden Amber Gravel FAQs
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Breedon Golden Amber Gravel FAQs

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel BUY NOW You will be redirected to our UK Stone Direct site When ordering your self-binding limestone please specifically ask for "Breedon Golden Amber Gravel" as some of our market competitors use the term "Golden Amber Gravel" to promote their alternative products which are not produced by Breedon Trading Ltd. We supply nationwide for Account customers and General Public clients alike - please get in touch with your requirements

I have ordered Golden Amber Gravel - is this the Breedon self-binding product?

Unless you have specifically asked for Breedon Golden Amber Gravel you may well have been sold an alternative material. A number of our competitors promote "Golden Amber Gravel" however these products are not produced here by Breedon Trading Ltd from selected stone at Breedon Quarry, Breedon on the Hill. To be certain that you are purchasing the acclaimed Breedon Golden Amber Gravel contact us directly here or speak to one of our listed stockists.

Do you supply to the general public or do I need to hold a Credit Account with you?

We supply Account and Non-account customers alike on a Nationwide basis. All products are available both loose tipped and in 800kg bulk bags. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Can I buy online?

Yes. You can buy online at any time via our UK Stone Direct site click here to view.

I only require a small amount of material; can I get this directly from you?

We can supply you with a minimum quantity of 800kg in a bulk bag and can offer delivery nationwide.

Is Breedon Golden Amber Gravel free draining?

No. Breedon Golden Amber self-binding gravel is not free draining and therefore requires a cross fall or camber to shed water from its surface into adequate drainage.

How much does 1 tonne cover?

One tonne will cover approximately 8sqm laid at our recommended finished compacted thickness of 50mm. This equates to a bulk bag coverage of 6.4sqm approximately per bag. These calculations build in a 10% wastage factor.

What is the density of Breedon Gravel?

2.2 tonnes per compacted cubic metre.

What depth should I lay Breedon Gravel?

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel must be laid to a finished compacted thickness of 50mm as per our laying instructions. If material is laid any thicker, fullest compaction will not be achieved and the fines will not float to the surface when water rolled. If laid thinner than 50mm the wearing course will be compromised, which will affect the durability of the surface.

Can I use a membrane directly under the Breedon Gravel?

No. Breedon Golden Amber Gravel must be laid directly onto the quarried Type 1 sub-base. A membrane or terram may be used underneath the MOT Type 1 if required.

Can I lay Breedon Gravel in conjunction with a Cellweb system?

No. Cellweb has a cellular structure designed for use with clean granular material as infill to allow air and moisture to reach the sub-base or roots underneath. The cellular structure also holds loose gravel or shingle in place to reduce migration and spreading of the material. Breedon Gravel has to be installed in accordance with our laying instructions to allow the material to bind together in order to achieve the expected durable finish. These plastic grid cellular systems will not allow Breedon Gravel to do this.

Do you have recommended contractors to lay Breedon gravel?

Unfortunately, it would be impossible for us to provide a list of 'recommended' contractors as Breedon Gravel travels to each and every part of the UK and we simply could not check the installation countrywide. We do however provide all the instructions necessary for you to carry out the work. We have written guidelines along with an informative video on our website which allows you or your contractor to visually how the product should look and behave at each stage of the installation process. We also have a team of experienced technical advisers based at our Special Aggregates Sales Office who can assist you with any queries you may have or talk you through the process step-by-step.

Can I lay Breedon Gravel on top of existing concrete or asphalt?

No. Breedon Gravel must be laid directly onto an MOT Type 1 sub-base to clause 803. Any existing concrete or asphalt must be broken up and removed. MOT Type 1 sub-base provides a solid sub-structure for the Breedon Gravel and also has voids which the Breedon Gravel fills, grips and binds on to. Although Breedon Gravel is not free-draining and must be laid to falls in order to shed water, throughout spells of prolonged rainfall, some rainwater may ingress through the product and the MOT Type 1 sub-base underneath will allow that water to continue to drain away. Concrete or asphalt would not facilitate this and water would be held in or below the layer of Breedon Gravel causing it to soften and pothole.

Do I need to use edgings?

Edgings are optional. Concrete, timber, metal or stone edgings can be used and will help achieve fullest compaction; however, edgings should not stand proud of the Breedon Golden Amber Gravel. If this is the case with timber or metal edgings, then holes must be drilled through the edgings at half metre intervals at the level of the surface, or a ‘v’ can be cut down to the Breedon Golden Amber Gravel level to allow water to flow off the surfaces. If curbs or sets are used as edgings the mortar joint can be left out at half metre intervals, again, this will allow water to escape from the surface.

Can I lay Breedon Gravel in the rain?

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Laying Breedon Gravel in the rain can actually prove beneficial as it helps the water rolling process, provided the rain is not so intense that it could wash away the fines content!

Can I lay Breedon Gravel in frozen conditions?

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel as with all aggregates that contain fines should never be laid in a frozen state. This can lead to shrinkage and movement of materials upon thawing.

Can I lay Breedon Gravel on a slope?

Breedon self-binding products are not recommended to be laid on slopes steeper than a 1 in 15 gradient. This is because the action of storm water flowing across the surface can cause damage to the material and can result in the occurrence of potholes and ruts. Where you have a slope steeper than 1 in 15, the installation of steps at irregular intervals will reduce the risk of ruts occurring and damage to the finished surface.

What is the minimum/maximum gradient to shed surface water?

An adequate gradient for smaller areas (such as footpaths) would be 1 in 50 to allow water to shed from the surface, however for large surface areas such as car parks or driveways, then a minimum of 1 in 40 gradient would be preferable (25mm drop for every metre of width).

What equipment would I need to lay it?

A flat boarded rake to initially spread the material (you can use the back of a garden rake, but do not use the prongs as this will segregate the coarse components). For footpaths a minimum of a 1 tonne sit-on water roller should be used. For larger areas, a 1.5 tonne sit-on water roller will be required. Access to additional water via a hosepipe or water bowser is necessary and also a soft broom to finish the surface.

How much water is required?

Approximately 5 gallons per tonne is required. In hot, dry spells more water may be required and in winter slightly less. Please be aware the water which is dispelled from a vibrating roller will be inadequate and additional water will be necessary via a hosepipe directed onto the drum.

Can I use a wacker plate instead of a roller?

Yes, but this requires more time and attention. A wacker plate can be used to compact the Breedon Gravel if access will not allow a pedestrian roller into the area, however as the wacker plate does not carry the weight of a roller, the area must be compacted repeatedly with many passes of the plate in order to achieve the best compaction possible. It is beneficial also if the depth of the gravel is reduced slightly from 50mm to 45mm in order to assist with achieving best compaction. Once the surface is fully compacted and the plate leaves no lines on the surface, then water must be carefully applied to the area using a hosepipe with a fine nozzle spray which should be directed up into the air to give an even spread of water without washing out any of the fines. It is important to apply sufficient water to float the fines (or fats) of the gravel. Keep the plate moving on the gravel surface and if the plate is pulling up the surface, then it is probably too dry and more water is required.

How long does it take to set?

The time taken for the surface of the Golden Amber Gravel to set is dependent on the weather conditions at the time of laying. This can vary from between one week in the height of summer to two weeks plus in the wet colder winter months. The area should remain unused in this period. Breedon Gravel should be treated with respect in the first three months whilst gaining strength. After that, the more the area is used the better it will perform.

If Breedon Gravel is mixed with cement will it make the finished product harder wearing?

No. Cement can be manually blended into Breedon Golden Amber Gravel, however this does cause a few issues. Breedon Gravel is a natural quarried limestone and by manually mixing 1 part cement to 10 parts Breedon Gravel this could affect the consistency of colour. Cement will only help the material set a little quicker, it will not give the product more strength and it will not stop the surface from scarifying.

Can Breedon Gravel be stored for longer periods of time before use?

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel can be successfully used after being stocked or stored for longer periods of time. However, if during this period the material is left to completely dry out the 12mm aggregate and the fines content may separate, which will affect the laying of the product leaving coarse areas. If the material has been stored it is always advisable to add moisture and turn and re-blend the stockpile prior to use.

Will the material pick up on my shoes?

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel is a natural material and will pick up on shoes, especially when the material is wet. A paved area and a good doormat are an advantage before entering buildings etc. The dusting effect will lessen with time once the material has been weathered.

Is Breedon Gravel available in any other colour?

No. Our material is a beautiful natural golden buff colour which lends itself to natural historical and modern day surroundings alike.

Can heavy vehicles use the area?

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel has the strength and durability to allow heavy vehicles to drive carefully on the surface, however, be aware that if a vehicle is stationary and the wheels are turned, this could cause scuffing and potholes, particularly when the material is wet. It is advisable to apply a speed limit of 5mph. It is not recommended that Breedon Golden Amber Gravel is used by HGV or agricultural vehicles.

Can I brush the surface?

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After the Breedon Golden Amber Gravel has been water rolled there may be some lines from the roller in the material. A soft broom should be used at this point, whilst the material is still wet, to gently run across the surface to remove any roller marks and leave a nice smooth finish. Breedon Golden Amber Gravel will naturally self scarify with use but if you choose to remove the surface chippings for visual purposes, a soft broom may be used to do so. However please note the surface will continually scarify so this process may need to be repeated if a smoother appearance is required.

Can I wash my car on a Breedon Gravel driveway?

We do not advise that cars are washed on the Breedon Gravel surface. A hard surface area would be preferable.

Is Breedon Golden Amber Gravel suitable for use on car parking areas and driveways?

Yes, but please bear in mind that Breedon Golden Amber Gravel is a 100% natural limestone product and will sustain scuff damage to its finished surface if the steering is used on stationary vehicles or if vehicle wheels are spun upon it .This can lead to the occurrence of potholes and therefore the project will require a higher level of maintenance to keep the Golden Amber Gravel surface in good order .The preferred design for a driveway or car parking area using Golden Amber Gravel is where the vehicle is driven on to and reversed off without the need to turn the power steering. Where these turning points are required then a hard paved landscape surface would be a more suitable in these particular areas. Please ensure that adequate drainage is installed in proportion to the surface area being laid. If rainfall is not dispelled rapidly this can lead to an ingress of surface water, which will prevent the hardening and binding process of the Breedon Golden Amber Gravel.

Is Breedon Golden Amber Gravel suitable for bridleways?

Yes, but as bridleways are often in woodlands or fields, try to get the sub-base above ground level and then lay the Breedon Gravel on the top to allow water to drain off the surface. If edgings are not used, the material should be laid to a camber and feathered off at the edges. If this isn’t done and the bridleway is lower than the surrounding area, water will flow down onto the bridleway and will pond causing weakness, potholes and potentially a breakdown of the whole surface. Please also note that whilst our self-binding products are perfectly suitable for horses to walk over, they are not strong enough to withstand horses cantering or galloping over their surface.

Is Breedon Gravel suitable for Seating/Patio Areas?

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel can be used underneath seating areas, however dragging of patio furniture feet across the surface may dig into the Breedon Gravel, causing it to scuff so regular maintenance will be required. A paved hard surface area would be preferable in this instance. Please ensure adequate drainage is installed so that surface water is not held on the patio area.

Is Breedon Gravel suitable for wheelchair use?

Yes. When Breedon Gravel is installed in accordance with our laying instructions, it provides a solid bound base which does not separate or segregate with wheelchair use. The surface does lightly scarify with use leaving a dressing of grit/chippings on the surface. Please note that this may pick up on shoes or wheels, it would be advisable for a hard-paved area prior to entering a building to reduce the migration of dust.

Is Breedon Gravel suitable for running tracks?

No. Whilst Breedon Golden Amber Gravel is perfectly suited to walking and jogging it is not a suitable product for use on competitive running tracks. The impact of training shoes hitting the natural surface at speed will cause potholes and excessive abrasion which could in time cause a total breakdown of the area.

Can Breedon Gravel be used in tree pits?

Breedon Golden Amber Gravel must be laid onto compacted Type 1 sub-base. If it is not possible to roll the material around tree pits then hand compaction must be used. There must be watering points for the trees as Breedon Gravel is not free draining. Please be aware that growth and movement of tree roots in time may cause cracking of the surface.

What is the pH value of Breedon Gravel?

The pH value is 8.3.

What do I do if potholes occur?

If a pothole occurs, it must be repaired as soon as possible to avoid holding rainwater as this will ingress into the Breedon Gravel making the pothole larger. To repair, cut out squarely the material around the pothole down to the sub-base – water the sub-base if it is dry and then lay in new material, following the laying instructions. Please refer to our maintenance section.

breedon-special-aggregates.co.uk - Breedon Golden Amber Gravel FAQs
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