Can Resin Bound Systems be laid in any weather?

Installing a resin bound system is a meticulous process that requires careful attention to weather conditions. Indeed, factors such as rain, temperature, dew, humidity and any form of ground moisture can pose significant risks to the success and lasting durability of your resin bound installation.

In this guide, we address some of the biggest factors resin bound installers need to consider when it comes to weather and resin bound installations.

The impact of weather on resin bound systems

Before looking at the dos and don’ts when it comes to resin bound installations, it’s important to first understand in what ways the weather, and in particular moisture and heat, play an important role. The weather can impact the installation of resin bound systems in two ways:

• Issues caused by moisture
• Issues caused by temperature (both high and low).

Can you lay resin bound in the rain?

For years, the installation guidelines for resin bound were simply ‘5°C and rising and no rain’. However, much more has been learned - often the hard way - about the number one enemy of perfect Resin Bound installations - moisture.

First let’s look at the consequences of excessive moisture, for example, if a resin bound driveway was installed during rainy conditions. Typically, installation during rainy periods leads to the resin reacting instantly, producing gas bubbles that manifest as foam or cloudiness within the resin. This can compromise both the appearance and actual strength of the finished surface.

For this reason, installers should always check the weather forecast before planning an installation. If rain is predicted, the installation should be rescheduled to a drier day.

If sudden or unexpected rain occurs during an installation, try to use tarpaulins, tents or gazebos to shield the working area. This is not an ideal solution, however, and should only be a last resort.

Can you lay resin bound on a wet surface?

Rain is not the only source of moisture you need to be wary of. Dew and other smaller levels of surface moisture can also affect the installation quality of resin bound driveways.

Even if it is not actively raining, a wet base may be equally problematic to a successful installation. For this reason, monitoring the dew point temperature prior to installation is as essential as avoiding rain.

Dew point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and water vapour begins to condense into liquid water. As a rule, if the surface temperature is less than 3°C and rising above the dew point of the measured air temperature and the relative humidity, installation should not be started.

Remember - Resin and wet surfaces do not mix well, and the presence of moisture on the base can lead to poor adhesion, resulting in a weak and uneven surface. You need to look out for any sources of moisture such as dew, and make use of a hygrometer to check the dryness of the surface before starting. The base should be free from any dampness to prevent any potential adverse reactions with the resin.

What temperature can you lay resin bound?

Temperature can significantly influence the success of a resin bound system installation. Both hot and cold conditions pose unique challenges that need to be managed carefully to achieve the best results.

Resin bound systems have an optimal temperature range for application, which is between 5°C and 25°C.

When it’s too hot (anything over 25°C) the resin is at risk of curing too quickly, which can complicate the trowelling process as resin may start to set before the troweller can properly knit one mix into another, meaning it becomes harder to create a uniform appearance between mixes.

Conversely, in cold conditions (anything under 5°C) resin takes longer to cure. If cold temperatures cause delayed curing then this can result in a softer surface for longer which is susceptible to moisture damage.. It’s important to remember that the addition of a catalyst can help achieve optimum curing time.

Only by understanding these factors and implementing the best practices outlined here and our training manual can a successful and long-lasting resin bound installation be achieved.