Owning a resin bound driveway at a second home in the South West means the surface needs to look after itself for weeks or months at a time. Resin is attractive and low maintenance when the property is lived in daily, but an empty house needs a simple plan to keep the driveway, patio and any pool surround in good condition between visits.
Resin Driveway Experts has more than 30 years of experience installing and maintaining resin bound surfaces across Devon, Cornwall and the wider South West, all backed by a 10 year guarantee. Many of our clients around Newton Abbot, Exeter and the Cornwall coast own second homes, and this guide covers the checks and maintenance that keep a resin surface performing well while the property stands empty.
The West Country climate is damp for much of the year, with heavy leaf fall in autumn and rapid growth in spring. When nobody is at the property to notice, moss, leaves and blocked drainage can build up unnoticed for weeks. Problems that are quick to sort when you live at the house can become bigger jobs if left over a long absence, so a short routine before you leave and an occasional check while you are away makes a real difference.
A few minutes before locking up protects the driveway for the whole time you are away.
If you cannot get to the property regularly, it is worth arranging one or two professional visits a year, depending on how exposed the site is. A second home near trees in Salcombe, St Ives or Torquay will usually need more frequent attention than one in a more open, windswept spot.
Many second homes in the South West also have a resin patio, resin pool surround or balcony, and the same principles apply. Breathable, water resistant covers keep leaves off furniture and hot tub surrounds while letting moisture escape. If storms or winter gales are forecast along the Devon or Cornwall coast, secure or move anything that could be blown onto the surface and cause scuffing.
Blocked drainage is the most common cause of problems at an unoccupied property. Fit leaf guards or simple mesh over external gullies and channels, and check them at the start and end of each season. Keep nearby hedges and overhanging branches trimmed, particularly in wooded lanes around Exmoor and Dartmoor where leaves fall early and in quantity, and ask a neighbour or local gardener to clear gutters and test downpipes before a long period away.
Your 10 year guarantee with Resin Driveway Experts covers workmanship and installation when the recommended maintenance is followed. Book an inspection if you notice persistent ponding that does not drain after several days, soft spots or loose aggregate, large stains that do not respond to a domestic clean, or visible gaps where the resin meets a kerb or paving edge. Catching these early avoids more extensive work later and protects your guarantee. For a deeper clean between visits, our guide to resin cleaning covers the simple steps, and if a surface does need refreshing after a few seasons, a resin overlay is often a straightforward option.
Using an installer based in the region brings practical benefits if you are not on site most of the year. A local team can respond quickly after storms or when a maintenance visit falls due, understands how salt air, humidity and heavy leaf fall affect resin surfaces locally, and can keep records that support a warranty claim if one is ever needed. If you rent the property out between visits, our landlord’s guide to resin driveways covers the same ground from a letting perspective.
If you would like an inspection, a clean or want to discuss an overlay for your second home, contact us and we will be happy to arrange a visit.