DIY blocked paved drive

[magico]

Hi I have a 80sqm block payed driveway that has old red/pinkish tegula blocks I think... There's a few wobbly ones where is just needs more sand brushing in has it's been jet washed out over the years for weeding and never got chance to sand it, or didn't want to waste money on it also but overall still in good nick.... However I want to replace these blocks with new grey or charcoal ones and new edging around garden borders has it just doesn't match the house front anymore. How big of a job is it to diy? After removal of blocks and new edging setting and border block fitting would I need new sand and screeding or re use the sand already down? As it's on a slope it's the screeding I'm most concerned about and also when you lay the new blocks should they be 10mm higher than finished height to allow for whackering... Seen differating views online some say 5,10 and some even 20mm
Any help appreciated, will take pics when it's daylight

 

[bearC]

Can you find new blocks in the colour you want that are the same size and pull an old block out and replace the new block then sand after?

Just and idea .no clue if it's a option.


Tobermore blocks are nice looking

 

[23vc]

That’s a hell of a job to DIY. And I say that as a DIYer who builds extensions. Dont underestimate the physical side of a job like that, as well as trying to do things like screed large areas on your own.

 

[cdbe]

I did 100m² - dug out about 25 tonnes of spoil, spread and whacked 16 tonnes of MOT, 3 tonnes of sharp sand and various bits of drainage and groundworks. Just do it in bits. If the sharp sand is decent it can be raked and reused. I would buy a used whacker plate for the job.
I presume you've been on pavingexpert.com - best resource for this.

 

[kingandy2nd]

As has been said by cdbe - paving expert is the site to visit.

It’s not a terrible difficulty job, but it is a physical one.

The new edging will be the worst part as you’ll need to break out whatever’s there (if there is any) then dig down to allow for a concrete bed for the edging stones.

If you can take up the old paving without affecting the sand below then you can just top up and relevel the sand.

Wacker plate is a must, with a rubber pad (for the blocks at the end). As too is an angle grinder or a disc cutter. Both can be bought second hand and resold afterwards if you want.

Marshalls discount outlet on eBay is a good source of cheaper blocks, but buy enough for your project in one go as it’s generally end of line stuff.

I’ve just finished my second diy driveway ahead of building a garage.

 

[stevie888]

I would suggest the donkey work is already done and if the levels are right without dips or bumps the simply uplifting the existing and replacing with new isn't an impossible task. If the sand bedding is clean then I would simply scarify it, maybe add a touch more but shouldn't need much if any because if the new blocks are the same thickness as the old it will all go back to the same level when wacked.

Sort the edges first using the rest as your reference level. If te job was done right in the first place then they should have a concrete base already and you could do worse than effectively glueing the nw ones down with a cement slurry.

 

[magico]

Thanks for the replys guys, I'll have to give it some serious consideration.... Mrs wants resin however I think that's well out our price range, guess tarmac would be the cheapest option but not very pleasing on the eye and concrete imprinted would be very slippy in winter I guess on a slope... Blocks for me, but the god damn weeds

 

[kingandy2nd]

Use path clear or similar 6 month weed killer before you start.

When you re - sand use No Grow silica sand. I’ve had it down for 3 years and apart from thin line of moss I’ve had nothing grow.