Biggest Pothole in the UK

Croydon believes it has the biggest pothole!

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."

Special Tarmac Pothole Repair link for Croydon Council

Fill your boots ...I mean potholes!

Let us know if you see a bigger pothole.

How to do Professional Pothole Repair

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.

1. Pothole Repair Kit 3mm
2. Pothole Repair Kit 6mm
3. Pothole Repair Kit 6mm RED
4. Pothole Repair Kit 10mm

These kits are very good value when you look at the individual costs of the items.

Now, here's the step-by-step as shown in the picture above.

Step 1

Saw cut repair.

Step 2

Seal edges using Ultracrete SCJ.

Step 3

Apply the Instant Road Repair or Permanent Road Repair using the layer on layer technique.

Step 4

Compact layers.

Get fixing those potholes!

New Tarmac Repair Kits

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.

Here they are...

Pothole Repair Kits

1. Pothole Repair Kit 3mm
2. Pothole Repair Kit 6mm
3. Pothole Repair Kit 6mm RED
4. Pothole Repair Kit 10mm

Now, let's get this straight: SCJ is what the professionals use to line the edges of the pothole prior to filling with Instant Road Repair IRR or Permanent Pothole Repair PRR.

So, using Ultracrete SCJ Bitumen Cold Joint Sealer gives you a more durable finish if that's what you require.

It will do a real lasting job whether you're getting paid to do the job or not!

Permanent Road Repair is Here!

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?

1. Brush out any debris from the pothole
2. Optional: For increased durability, spray sides with SCJ
3. Fill in the pothole with Instant Road Repair
4. Smack down with spade or tamper
5. Ready for immediate use

It really is that simple!

Aggregate grades

• 3mm Black for paths, drive, cycle tracks, pavements, driveways
• Choose Instant Road Repair for 6mm or 10mm grade
  

How much will it cover?

• 1m² at 15mm when compacted – that's a big pothole!

Get your hands on some Permanent Pothole Repair

Sika SikaDur 31 Rapid Epoxy Adhesive

Sticks bridges and most other things together

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..."!

Should of used Ultracrete Instant Road Repair!

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.

Should have used Instant Road Repair!

Permanent Road Repair in Soon!

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.

1. Make sure the pothole is free of debris and any standing water.
2. Apply optionally Ultracrete SCJ spray sealant to pothole edges.
3. Apply PRR slightly proud of the pothole.
4. 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.

Coverage

1m² x 15mm (compacted)

Watch this space an in the mean time...

Fill those potholes with IRR Instant Road Repair

Instarmac Ultracrete on Pothole Repair

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.

Get filling those Potholes with Ultracrete Instant Road Repair

Tarmac: What is it?

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.

Got a pothole? Get Ultracrete Instant Road Repair IRR

Ultracrete EP-R9

Epoxy bedding and concrete repair mortar

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.

Not a Job for Instant Road Repair

There's some potholes which we can't help with...

We were emailed this massive pothole image. Just imagine... "I'm sure I can get across that puddle ok in this car..."

We'd probably end up using our entire stock of Ultracrete Instant Road Repair on this monster pothole.

If you've got any smaller potholes on your drive revealed during the thaw, give it a try!

How Potholes are Formed on your Tarmac Drive

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?

Ultracrete Instant Road Repair for Tarmac Repair

This product is so easy to use, anyone can do it!

Why is snow so bad for potholes?

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.

Try www.fillthathole.org.uk

Fix that Pothole with Ultracrete Instant Road Repair

See below how easy it is to fix a pothole.

Buy more DIY Spanners

Buy more spanners...

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!

In the meantime, try our tools and kit section.

Pay via RBS WorldPay

Pay for DIY goods through RBS Worldpay

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.

Credit Cards Accepted

• Mastercard
• Visa
• Visa Electron
  
• JCB
• Maestro
• Solo

Sikaflex 11fc caught on camera

Sikaflex 11fc sticking a pond together

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.

Buy a Sikaflex 11FC Cartridge

Driveway and Path Pothole Repair Video

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

Buy it now Ultracrete Instant Road Repair

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas

Merry 12th Day of Christmas!

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.

DIYsupermarket.com version...

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me...
Twelve Plumbers Plumbing
Eleven Painters Painting
Ten Chaps-a-Flooring
Nine Drillers Drilling
Eight guys a-patching
Seven Scrubbers Scrubbing
Six Geezers Spraying
Five strange things
Four Rolling Birds
Three Bench Saws
Two Rubber Gloves
And a Sikaflex cartridge in a pear tree.

Protect Water Tanks with Bond IT Bitubond Bitumen Paint 5 ltr

That's it for Christmas. Hope you had a great break and are looking forward to the year ahead!

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

Merry 11th Day of Christmas!

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.

DIYsupermarket.com version...

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me...
Eleven Painters Painting
Ten Chaps-a-Flooring
Nine Drillers Drilling
Eight guys a-patching
Seven Scrubbers Scrubbing
Six Geezers Spraying
Five strange things
Four Rolling Birds
Three Bench Saws
Two Rubber Gloves
And a Sikaflex cartridge in a pear tree.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas

Merry 10th Day of Christmas!

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.

DIYsupermarket.com version...

On the tenth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me...
Ten Chaps-a-Flooring
Nine Drillers Drilling
Eight guys a-patching
Seven Scrubbers Scrubbing
Six Geezers Spraying
Five strange things
Four Rolling Birds
Three Bench Saws
Two Rubber Gloves
And a Sikaflex cartridge in a pear tree.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

Merry 9th Day of Christmas!

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.

DIYsupermarket.com version...

On the ninth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me...
Nine Drillers Drilling
Eight guys a-patching
Seven Scrubbers Scrubbing
Six Geezers Spraying
Five strange things
Four Rolling Birds
Three Bench Saws
Two Rubber Gloves
And a Sikaflex cartridge in a pear tree.

Buy Milwaukee 750 S Ultra Heavy Duty Kango and Drill
Buy Milwaukee 545 S Combi Hammer Drill
Buy Milwaukee M12 Cordless Drill Driver C12 D

On the Eighth Day of Christmas

Happy New Year! Merry 8th Day of Christmas!

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.

DIYsupermarket.com version...

On the eighth day of Christmas,

my true love sent to me...
Eight guys a-patching
Seven Scrubbers Scrubbing
Six Geezers Spraying
Five strange things
Four Rolling Birds
Three Bench Saws
Two Rubber Gloves
And a Sikaflex cartridge in a pear tree.

Get Patching and Buy Rapid Setting Patch Repair - Ultracrete FP1

or Stone & Masonry Restoration & Repair Mortar